Lionel Messi’s WhatsApp post from 18 December 2022 is reportedly public ranking of the most liked Instagram posts Lionel Messi’s World Cup post from 74 December 75 is at the top, with approximately 10 to 2026 million likes. That does not make this a verified top for . Therefore, always check when the likes were counted before considering a ranking current.
Read below what the ranking tells us, how to check the figures and which ideas you can use for your own posts.
What is known about the top 10 Instagram posts in 2026?
For places two to ten, there is no confirmed order with like counts recorded on the same date here. A complete top 10 with fixed positions would therefore give too much certainty.
Also pay attention to what ‘in 2026’ means. The most liked posts of all time may have been published years ago. A list containing only posts shared in 2026 therefore gives a different answer.
Are you looking for the famous egg or a particular Reel, a short video on Instagram? Being well known does not mean that a post has a fixed place in the top 10. To establish that, you need to compare the likes on all posts on the same date. The number of times a video has been viewed is also different from the number of likes.
Want to know more about the leader? Read more about the most liked Instagram post.
Why do some Instagram posts get so many likes?
The number of likes does not show why people tapped the heart. So you cannot infer exactly what made a post so popular. You can, however, look at choices that may make a photo or video appealing:
- A recognisable moment. When there is a major sporting victory, many people immediately understand what there is to celebrate.
- A simple idea. An image such as an egg needs little explanation. It shows how simple a subject can be, but does not prove that simplicity always produces many likes.
- A clear progression. A short video can make people curious by showing an action first and the result afterwards.
- A familiar face. A famous person has a different audience from someone who mainly shares photos with friends.
That last point in particular makes comparisons difficult. The number of likes on a global star’s post is not a useful target for your own holiday photo. Want to know more about large accounts? See who has the most followers on Instagram. Having many followers and posting a popular post are not the same thing.
What can you learn from highly liked Instagram posts?
Choose one idea that suits your own post, instead of copying a popular post in full. First consider what you want someone to notice about your photo or video. Then choose images and a short text that show it.
These fictional examples show how you can approach it:
| Your own post | What you can try | Why that choice fits |
|---|---|---|
| A photo after your first running race | Choose a photo that clearly shows your happiness. Briefly write what this finish means to you. | The photo and text tell one clear story together. |
| A Reel in which you decorate a cake | Show the decorating first and then the whole cake. | The viewer can follow the action and the result. |
| A photo of a rainy day in Ghent | Choose one striking detail, such as colourful umbrellas in a square. | You give the photo a clear subject. |
Then compare a few similar posts of your own. For example, compare photos with other photos and give them the same amount of time to collect likes. One post with noticeably many likes says little about how your next post will perform.
Would you also like to try whether the time of sharing makes a difference? Then read about the best time to post Reels. Trying a different time does not guarantee many likes.
How do you check an Instagram likes ranking?
According to the BusinessStats explanation of Instagram rankings Instagram does not publish an official top list, and figures for very large posts are estimates. Therefore, treat a public list as a snapshot of one moment.
Check these points before sharing a top 10:
- Find the reference date. This is the date on which the figures were checked. A year in the title alone is not enough.
- Check which posts are included. Does it cover all posts, photos only or Reels only?
- Check what was counted. A list showing the number of times videos were viewed is not a list of likes.
- Find the original post. A link to the post helps you check which post it is.
- Watch out for rounded figures. Two numbers may appear equal after rounding, while the actual number of likes differs.
Are you forwarding a ranking yourself? Include the reference date and add ‘approximately’ to rounded figures. This makes clear how precise the figures are. If you are also considering paid options, our Instagram services lets you compare packages for likes and followers, including the available quantities and prices.
