Instagram has reached 3 billion monthly active users, according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram Head Adam Mosseri. This milestone underscores the platform’s continuing influence on digital culture, content creation, and global social interaction.
In a recent video, Mosseri explained:
If you look at the last few years, almost all of our growth has been driven by DMs, Reels, and recommendations. Because of that, we’re going to continue to focus on those products and reorient the app more around DMs, Reels, and recommendations over the next couple of months.
Algorithm Tuning and User Control
To give users more control over the content they see, Instagram will test a feature that allows fine-tuning of the algorithm for Reels. Users will be able to:
- Select or remove topics Instagram thinks they are interested in.
- Adjust content based on preferences—for example, pausing college football reels if interest wanes.
Mosseri noted this feature may later expand to other Instagram feeds. Additionally, the app will update its bottom navigation bar, replacing the upload button with a more direct link to DMs, emphasizing messaging as a core focus.
Global Context and Impact
Instagram previously reached 1 billion users in 2018. Surpassing 3 billion monthly active users highlights its central role in Meta’s ecosystem and its importance for creators, brands, and general users.
Mosseri’s announcement reflects Instagram’s continued evolution alongside Meta’s broader ambitions in artificial intelligence and the metaverse.