Instagram, the iconic photo and video sharing platform owned by Meta, celebrates its 15th anniversary this month.
Created by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, the app was officially launched on October 6, 2010, for iOS users. Its immense popularity led to the release of an Android version in April 2012, followed by a desktop interface in November 2012, a Fire OS app in June 2014, and a Windows 10 version in October 2016.
Originally designed for simple photo sharing, Instagram has since evolved into a cultural cornerstone — giving rise to influencers, shaping digital marketing, and transforming how billions communicate visually. Over time, features such as Stories, Reels, live video, and shopping tools have turned it into a multi-dimensional platform that defines modern online culture.
Instagram has given the world plenty of unforgettable moments in its 15-year history. Hashtags became part of the global conversation because of the platform. Ellen DeGeneres’s Oscars selfie went viral worldwide, and the Kardashians’ thousands of selfies helped redefine celebrity influence in the digital era.
Yet, surprisingly, none of those viral moments rank among the 10 most-liked Instagram posts of all time. Neither do Victoria Beckham’s Spice Girls reunion photo nor Beyoncé’s pregnancy announcement. Instead, the top posts are dominated by soccer icons, viral oddities, and Taylor Swift — reflecting the blend of fame, emotion, and internet magic that fuels the platform.
In honor of Instagram’s 15th anniversary, here are the 10 most-liked posts in its history:
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- Lionel Messi – His 2022 World Cup celebration post leads with 74.7 million likes, featuring Messi holding the trophy surrounded by teammates.
- The Egg – A simple photo of an egg, uploaded by Chris Godfrey, earned 60.6 million likes after users rallied to surpass Kylie Jenner’s 2019 record.
- Lionel Messi (again) – A photo of Messi in bed holding the World Cup trophy gained 53.7 million likes.
- “Jeene Laga Hoon” Cover – A soulful recreation of the 2013 Bollywood song “Ramaiya Vastavaiya” captured hearts, earning 51.9 million likes.
- Confident Toddler – A heartwarming ad video for the Insta360 GO 3S camera showing a toddler walking (and stumbling) gathered 47.1 million likes.
- Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi – Shot by Annie Leibovitz for Louis Vuitton, this photo of the two rivals playing chess received 41.6 million likes.
- Lionel Messi (again) – Another World Cup photo, this time taken on a plane with the trophy, earned 41.2 million likes.
- Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce – Their engagement announcement, captioned “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” racked up 37.7 million likes.
- Emil Reinert’s Piano Video – A cute clip featuring a toddler singing “My Heart Will Go On” alongside pianist Emil Reinert brought in 37.2 million likes.
- Cristiano Ronaldo – A video of the footballer jumping into freezing water in Lapland drew 35.7 million likes, proving even cold moments can go viral.
Fifteen years after its debut, Instagram continues to shape global culture — from viral challenges and influencer trends to sports fandom and internet memes. Its evolution from a simple app to a cultural giant underscores how visual storytelling and connection remain at the heart of social media today.
