Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Instagram has reached a significant milestone, surpassing 3 billion monthly active users as of September 2025. This achievement places Instagram alongside Facebook and WhatsApp, both of which have also exceeded 3 billion users, solidifying Meta's position as a dominant force in the social media landscape .
Key Drivers of Instagram's Growth
Several factors have contributed to Instagram's rapid expansion:
Reels: Introduced in 2020, Reels has become a central feature, enabling users to create and share short-form videos. This addition has positioned Instagram as a strong competitor to platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts .
Direct Messages (DMs): The integration of private messaging has enhanced user engagement, allowing for more personalized interactions.
Algorithmic Recommendations: Instagram's advanced algorithms have improved content discovery, tailoring feeds to individual user preferences
User Engagement and Skepticism
Despite the impressive user numbers, some users have expressed skepticism, questioning whether the statistics include inactive or bot accounts. In response, Instagram clarified that an "active user" refers to someone who interacts with the platform within a 30-day period, such as liking posts, watching Stories, sending DMs, or engaging with Reels
Future Developments
To address user concerns and enhance the user experience, Instagram is testing a feature that allows users to have more control over their algorithmic recommendations. This feature aims to enable users to customize topics they wish to see in Reels and potentially across other sections in the future .
Additionally, Instagram has launched a dedicated app for iPad users, expanding its accessibility and functionality across devices .