Instagram Is the Main Stage for the Biggest Pop Stars

Social media for the influencer or celebrity is not just an endless feed to waste time on, but a monetized platform for promoting their own or other people’s product. In the age of branding, cultivating a self-image and online persona is how many celebrities make a name for themselves and turn a profit.

For many celebrities Instagram is their main forum for garnering followers. Ariana Grande has by far the widest spread between her three main social media channels. The pop star has over 148 million followers on Instagram, while her Twitter and Facebook both pale in comparison, not even getting close to the 100 million mark. Cardi B, who topped Billboard’s top new artists for 2018 in her breakout year, similarly relies on Instagram for communicating with fans and followers. By contrast, Cardi B registers some of the fewest followers on Facebook and Twitter.

More established personas have a more even spread between their three main channels. Lady Gaga, never one to be part of the crowd, is the only celebrity who has more followers on Twitter than on Instagram or Facebook.