Instagram has surpassed three billion monthly active users, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on Wednesday, marking a new milestone for the social media platform.
The last time Meta disclosed Instagram’s user numbers was in 2022, when the app crossed two billion monthly active users.
“This is a big moment for the global community, just ahead of Instagram’s 15th birthday,” Meta said in a statement. “Instagram has always been about creativity — whether it’s sharing memes with friends, watching Reels, following creators, or posting your own moments — it remains a place to connect.”
Meta, formerly Facebook, acquired Instagram for $1 billion in 2012 when the app was still primarily focused on photo sharing. Since then, it has grown into one of the company’s strongest products, with analysts projecting it could account for more than half of Meta’s U.S. ad revenue this year.
Instagram’s short-form video feature, Reels — introduced in 2020 — has been a key driver of growth, competing with TikTok and YouTube Shorts. TikTok, owned by ByteDance, recently disclosed it has more than one billion monthly active users worldwide.
Looking ahead, Meta said Instagram will test new features to enhance user experience, including more personalized control over the Reels algorithm, a simplified navigation system, and a “reels-first” mobile experience being piloted in India and South Korea.
