A few posts have collected tens of millions of likes. Their stories reveal what makes content spread.
The record holders
- Lionel Messi’s World Cup win post (2022) became the most-liked Instagram post ever, with tens of millions of likes.
- The “world record egg” (2019) was a simple photo of an egg that broke the previous record as a fun challenge.
- Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi’s joint chess photo (2022) also passed tens of millions of likes.
Exact counts keep changing.
What made them work
- Huge emotional moments (a World Cup win)
- A shared joke or challenge (the egg)
- Two fan bases combining (the joint post)
- Timing: posted at peak attention
Lessons for everyday creators
- Celebrate milestones with your community.
- Invite participation: challenges and “help us reach” goals.
- Collaborate to combine audiences.
- Post in the moment when people are already talking.
How to get more likes
Read how to get more likes and grow a real audience with ViralSocialUp.
Grow your Instagram with real people
ViralSocialUp finds people who are genuinely interested in your niche. No bots, no password needed. Check your free growth preview first.