Here we have the news of the day, Instagram breaking TikTok’s record for most downloaded mobile app worldwide in 2023, according to The New York Post’s report citing data from Sensor Tower Corporation:
Meta’s owned mobile application Instagram surpassed TikTok to become the most downloaded app worldwide across both the iOS App Store and Google Play Store in 2023, based on data analysis from Sensor Tower Corporation.
The New York Post reported that Instagram achieved this milestone, dethroning TikTok which had held the top spot for most global downloads in the previous year of 2022.
According to Sensor Tower’s data tracking mobile app downloads and usage metrics, Instagram saw a surge in installs across international markets in 2023. This allowed the photo/video sharing app to narrowly edge past its rival TikTok in year-to-date download numbers.
While exact download figures were not disclosed, the analytics firm’s findings represent a significant win for (Meta Software house) and Instagram in the fierce battle among social media giants for user engagement and growth.
TikTok had been rapidly growing its international user base and time spent in-app over the past few years. However, Instagram’s continued product innovations and feature expansions like Reels appear to have resonated strongly with mobile users worldwide in 2023.
The report notes that Instagram’s achievement comes amid mounting regulatory scrutiny and competition complaints that Meta has faced, particularly around how it has responded to the threat posed by TikTok’s addictive endless scroll content feed.
Meta has doubled down on Instagram’s development, updating its features like Instagram notes and algorithms to prioritize recommended Reels content in a similar fashion to TikTok’s For You feed. This strategic shift seems to have paid off based on the 2023 download numbers reported by Sensor Tower.
The New York Post article highlights that while installing an app does not equate to sustained usage, out-downloading the viral sensation of TikTok is still a notable comeback win for Instagram on the global mobile app battleground.
Instagram And Tiktok Statistics
| Metric | TikTok | |
|---|---|---|
| Downloads in 2023 | 768 million (20% increase from prior year) | 733 million (4% increase from prior year) |
| US Regulatory Pressure | Lower | Higher due to national security concerns |
| Reason for Popularity | Combination of Reels and traditional social media features | – |
| Launch of Reels Feature | 2020 (to attract Gen Z) | – |
| Position in 2021-2022 | Locked in battle for supremacy with TikTok | Locked in battle for supremacy with Instagram |
| Position in 2023 | Replaced TikTok as #1 social media platform | Replaced by Instagram as #1 social media platform |
| Monthly Active Users (Sept 2023) | 1.47 billion | 1.12 billion |
| Q4 2023 User Change | +13 million | -12 million |
| Q4 2023 User Engagement Time | – | 95 minutes (higher than Instagram, X, Snapchat) |
How Do Instagram Takeovers Tiktok Record
According to Abraham Yousef, the Senior Insights Manager at Sensor Tower, the surge in Instagram’s popularity can be attributed to the app’s ability to blend the Reels feature with its traditional social media functions. Instagram introduced Reels in 2020, mimicking the style of TikTok, with the aim of captivating the Gen Z audience.
In 2021 and 2022, Instagram and TikTok were engaged in an intense battle for supremacy in the social media landscape. This fierce competition ultimately culminated in Instagram claiming the position of the number one social media platform in 2023, surpassing TikTok.
By the end of September 2023, Instagram’s monthly active user base had swelled to an impressive 1.47 billion, with an additional 13 million users joining the platform in the final quarter of the year. Conversely, TikTok experienced a decline, losing 12 million users, concluding the year with 1.12 billion monthly active users.
What To Expect In Future
Although Instagram had more total users in 2023, TikTok kept users hooked for longer periods. In Q4 2023, TikTok users spent an average of 95 minutes on the app per day. This engagement time was higher than Instagram, Twitter (X), and Snapchat. TikTok may have fewer users overall, but its addictive video format and personalized recommendations led to intense user engagement and lengthy sessions on the app. While Instagram won the download battle, TikTok demonstrated its ability to captivate audiences deeply once they joined the platform.
About The Author
Position: Team Lead (Content Writers).
Saboor has been employed as editors head at Socialhubin for years, authoring articles centered around new discoveries, latest news, and advance methods to learn. Additionally, he pens articles pertaining to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitter. Almost all social media Platforms, During his leisure time, Saboor delights in reading, traveling, and researching new features In social media.
