The Best IG Influencers: What is Takes to Become a Top Instagram Influencer in 2023

Today we’re taking a look at the best IG influencers!

In a world where anyone can become an Instagram influencer, how do you stand out from the crowd and become one of the best? With over 1 billion monthly active users, Instagram is an incredibly competitive platform, but the rewards for building a successful influencer brand are immense.

From free products to lucrative brand sponsorships, the top IG influencers are earning life-changing money by monetizing their influence. But how do you go from just another Instagram user to a top influencer with millions of engaged followers?

In fact, 72% of marketers used Instagram for influencer campaigns in 2022, and this number is predicted to grow by 4.1% by the end of 2023!

Becoming an influencer in 2023 takes more than just curating the perfect Instagram grid. You need serious social media savvy, an authentic personal brand, and tireless hustle. While travel bloggers sip cocktails on Bali beaches make it look easy, the path the becoming a top influencer requires significant work. But with the right strategy, you can turn your Instagram passion into a profitable business that allows you to do what you love.

In this article, we break down the essential ingredients every top influencer needs, from optimizing your Instagram profile to mastering hashtag strategy. You’ll learn insider tips on engaging with your audience, partnering with brands, and tracking your growth. Whether you dream of becoming a beauty guru, fashion icon, or travel expert, we have the blueprint that will take your influencer game to the next level in 2023. Keep reading and start growing your follower count today!

What Are IG Influencers?

Popular influencers and top social media influencers like beauty youtubers or fashion brands like Louis Vuitton often have massive followings on Instagram. These influencers are individuals with significant influence over their dedicated followers.

They have carefully built their personal brands by consistently generating engaging content centered around their niche, whether that is travel, food, or parenting. Brands love partnering with these types of social media influencers because they can organically promote products to their loyal audiences.

Aspiring IG influencers work hard to build content that feels authentic and cultivate followings as passionate as their favorite top influencers. The influencer marketing industry continues to grow as both brands and influencers find value in these strategic partnerships.

The Importance of IG Influencers in Marketing

The advent of social media platforms, such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, has revolutionized the marketing strategies employed by businesses. With an increasing number of people dedicating time to these platforms, businesses are turning to influencers to advertise their products directly to their target audiences.

Influencer marketing proves to be a potent approach as it enables brands to engage with audiences who may otherwise remain oblivious to their offerings. According to research, nearly half of consumers (49%) base their purchase decisions on recommendations made by influencers.

Furthermore, partnering with an influencer who shares your brand’s values can potentially enhance your brand’s credibility and encourage follower loyalty. This emphasis on alignment is why selecting the right influencer for your brand can prove critical in orchestrating successful marketing campaigns on Instagram. This has been evident in trends observed throughout 2022, even extending from previous social media platforms like Vine, which have laid the foundation for today’s influencers. Fashion designers, among others, have been particularly adept at utilizing the power of these influencers, given their visual-focused industry and the aesthetics of platforms like Instagram.

A High Level Overview of The Best IG Influencers

If you’re looking for the best IG influencers, it’s easy to find them. Just visit the official Instagram page and you’ll see a list of accounts with the largest followings. These influencers are followed by tens of millions of people and their posts receive millions of likes and comments.

Top 10 Most Followed IG Influencers

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) – 243 million followers 
2. Dwayne Johnson (@therock) – 198 million followers
3. Kylie Jenner (@kyliejenner) – 195 million followers 
4. Kim Kardashian (@kimkardashian) – 188 million followers
5. Beyoncé (@beyonce) – 148 million followers 
6. Lionel Messi (@leomessi) – 141 million followers
7. Selena Gomez(@selenagomez)-140millionfollowers
8. Kendall Jenner(@kendalljenner)-137millionfollowers
9. Neymar Jr(@neymarjr)-136millionfollowers
10. Taylor Swift(@taylorswift)-132millionfollowers

These top ten best IG influencers have amassed a following that is larger than the populations of many countries! They come from all walks of life, including sports, entertainment, fashion, and music.

Top 5 Most Engaged IG Influencers

While having a large following is impressive, engagement is just as important. After all, what’s the point in having millions of followers if no one interacts with your content? Here are five influencers who not only have a huge following but also high levels of engagement:

1. Huda Kattan (@hudabeauty) – With over 47 million followers on Instagram, Huda Kattan is one of the most popular beauty bloggers in the world. Her followers engage with her content regularly, leaving comments and sharing her posts.
2. Chiara Ferragni (@chiaraferragni) – As one of the world’s top fashion influencers, Chiara Ferragni has amassed a massive following of over 21 million people on Instagram alone. Her followers love her unique sense of style and often engage with her posts by commenting and sharing.
3. Amanda Cerny (@amandacerny) – Amanda Cerny is a comedian, actress, and fitness influencer who has over 24 million followers on Instagram. Her fans love her funny videos and engaging personality, leading to high levels of interaction on her posts.
4. Gary Vaynerchuk (@garyvee) – Gary Vaynerchuk is an entrepreneur, author, and speaker who has over 8 million followers on Instagram. He shares daily motivational messages and business advice that resonates with his audience, leading to high levels of engagement.
5. Jessica Alba(@jessicaalba) – With almost 18millionfollowers,JessicalAlba’s IG account features everything from family pictures to beauty tips to behind-the-scenes looks at her work as a Hollywood actress. Her followers actively engage with all types of content she shares through heart-felt feedbacks in comments section.

While these five influencers may not have the largest followings on Instagram, their engagement rates demonstrate just how powerful their influence can be amongst their loyal fans.

Beauty and Fashion: Top Instagram Influencers

The New Age Marketing Strategy for Brands

Influence marketing has revolutionized the digital world, especially for the beauty and fashion industry. Instagram has become one of the most effective platforms for these brands to promote their products through collaborations with influencers.

Here are the top 3 beauty and fashion brands that have collaborated with IG influencers: 

1. Glossier: Known for its minimalist approach to beauty, Glossier has collaborated with influencers such as Emily Weiss (@emilyweiss) and Marianna Hewitt (@marianna_hewitt) who share a similar aesthetic.
2. Revolve: The online clothing retailer hosts Revolve around the World trips where they take influencers on luxurious vacations in exchange for promoting their products on Instagram. Some of their top collaborators include Aimee Song (@aimeesong) and Rocky Barnes (@rocky_barnes).
3. Sephora: The beauty giant has partnered with popular beauty bloggers such as Huda Kattan(@hudabeauty)and Chiara Ferragni(@chiaraferragni). In 2019, Sephora teamed up with Ole Henriksen to launch a skincare line inspired by influencer’s reviews.

How to Spot Fake Followers and Engagement on Beauty and Fashion Accounts

With the rise of influencer marketing, fake followers and engagement have become a concerning issue on Instagram. Here are some ways to spot them: 

1. Check their follower count versus engagement rate: If an account has thousands of followers but only receives a few likes or comments per post, it is likely they have purchased fake followers.
2. Look at their follower demographics: Are their followers primarily from countries where they don’t live or operate? This could signify bought fake followers.
3. Use online tools: There are various online tools that analyze Instagram accounts’ engagement rate and follower authenticity. These tools can help you determine if an account has fake followers or engagement.

Fitness and Health Influencers on Instagram

The Emergence of Fitness Influencers

The fitness industry has seen a massive shift towards social media marketing, with Instagram leading the way. Here are the top 3 fitness and health brands that collaborate with IG influencers: 

1. Nike: The sports brand has partnered with many fitness influencers, including Kayla Itsines (@kayla_itsines) and Emily Skye (@emilyskyefit), to promote their athletic products.
2. Gymshark: Known for its trendy workout gear, Gymshark has collaborated with influencers such as Whitney Simmons (@whitneyysimmons) and Nikki Blackketter (@nikkiblackketter). 
3. Quest Nutrition: Quest Nutrition is a health food company that has partnered with IG influencers in the health industry such as Jen Selter(@jenselter ) and Brittany Dawn Fitness(@brittany_dawn_fitness)to promote their protein snacks.

How to Determine if a Fitness or Health Program is Right for You Based on an IG Influencer’s Profile

Choosing the right fitness influencer to follow can be overwhelming; here are some things to consider before committing: 

1. Their qualifications: Look into their credentials, education, and experience within the industry.
2. Their style of training: Different trainers have different approaches to health and fitness goals, so make sure it aligns with what you’re looking for. 
3. Their personality: Follow someone who motivates you instead of demotivating or intimidating you.
4. Their community: Lastly, see if their followers share similar interests or goals as yours so that you can be part of a supportive community striving for similar objectives as yours. While there are many IG influencers on the platform, these subtopics highlight some of the niche aspects of the beauty and fashion and fitness and health industries.

It is essential to take a closer look at their authenticity, qualifications, approaches, and credibility in order to make informed decisions in choosing who to follow. At the end of the day, influence marketing is proving to be an effective tool for brands looking to reach a considerable audience while creating authentic relationships with their target demographic.

The Person Behind the Account: Top Lifestyle Influencers

Their Personal Life: Hobbies, Interests, Relationships, etc.

As you peruse through the aesthetically-pleasing pages of your beloved Instagram influencers, it’s often easy to overlook the genuine individuals curating those feeds. Although we may not establish personal connections with them, numerous influencers openly share snippets of their lives off the platform.

For instance, were you aware that one of the top Instagram influencers, @chiaraferragni, is a passionate self-taught photographer, whose favorite subjects include her family and travels? Meanwhile, @amyserrano, another influential figure on Instagram, is a staunch advocate for mental health awareness. She frequently shares her personal encounters with anxiety and depression, providing solace and inspiration to many of her followers.

In addition to hobbies and interests, some influencers also disclose aspects of their personal relationships. The high-profile model, @rosiehw, regularly posts endearing snapshots with her spouse, Jason Statham, and their son Jack. Simultaneously, fashion and interior design enthusiast @aimeesong has captured and shared her entire marital journey, from engagement to wedding planning, and daily life with her husband, Jacopo Moschin.

Moreover, influencers like Zach and Lele have made a significant mark in the cosmetic industry. They often share detailed and easy-to-follow tutorials, positioning themselves as content creators who offer valuable, practical advice to their followers.

Their Professional Life: Career Background, Education, Achievements, etc.

While several Instagram influencers have achieved recognition exclusively through their social media presence, others bring a rich array of experiences from diverse fields such as fashion design or business. For example, @gabbyepstein, one of the influencers on Instagram with a significant number of followers, is a graduate in entrepreneurship from Australia’s Bond University. Meanwhile, @camilacoelho was a makeup artist prior to establishing her own successful fashion blog.

Furthermore, in addition to their academic and professional backgrounds, numerous influencers have received esteemed awards or acknowledgments for their contributions to the industry. Aimee Song, known as @songofstyle on Instagram, found herself on Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 list in Art & Style. In another instance, @hudabeauty was celebrated as one of Time Magazine’s 25 Most Influential People on the Internet, further solidifying her influence on her followers.

It’s also worth noting that many of these influencers extend their reach beyond Instagram. A significant number have expanded their digital presence to platforms like YouTube, where they channel their creativity into videos that offer a more personal touch to their content, further growing their follower base.

Key Takeaways: The Best IG Influencers

Taking a closer look at the top Instagram influencers, their impact and influence becomes crystal clear. These social media stars, like any beauty influencer or fashion youtuber with a robust Instagram accounts and equally popular YouTube channels, have an impressive ability to sway the opinions and behaviors of their audience. They can directly influence their followers’ purchasing decisions, lifestyle choices, and at times, even political leanings.

These influential media personalities possess a profound capacity to set trends, initiate cultural shifts, and command widespread attention. Their rise to fame often comes from their ability to tap into societal trends and present content that resonates with a broad audience. The top Instagram influencers showcase how curating an engaging social media presence can transform regular individuals into powerful tastemakers and trendsetters.

However, with this great power comes an immense responsibility. As followers and consumers in this digital age, it is essential to critically evaluate the impact these influencers have on our lives. Understanding their motives, questioning their beliefs, and discerning the authenticity behind their content should be an integral part of our interaction with their online presence. In this way, we can ensure that our engagement with social media remains a balanced and positive experience.

With several influencers boasting million Instagram followers and shaping various niches, be it food influencers creating the next trending recipe, or a fashion blogger dictating the season’s must-have styles, Instagram marketing has indisputably transformed how we consume media and make purchase decisions. The influence of the likes of ‘The Blonde Salad’ and others, have permeated our culture in ways that we might not even fully recognize.

It is crucial, however, for us as consumers to constantly question whether our purchases are driven by our genuine needs and beliefs or simply propelled by the endorsement of an influencer. The fact remains that Instagram influencers are a significant part of our digital landscape, and their impact is unlikely to wane anytime soon.

Being mindful of their influence is key. We must use our judgment when making decisions influenced by these social media personalities. If we can successfully navigate this space, finding the right balance between being inspired by them and maintaining our individual discernment, we can turn the vast influence of these Instagram influencers into a positive force.