The surge of social media has opened doors for talent display, experience sharing, and reaching vast audiences. Among these platforms, Instagram, with its enormous user base of over 1 billion, has become a central hub for Instagram influencers of Indian origin to showcase their creativity and connect with like-minded individuals.

In India, several Instagrammers have made a mark in various fields such as food, fashion, travel, photography, comedy, and niche content. Here are 10 famous Indian Instagrammers who are reshaping the power of social media.

Food

1. Kalyan Karmakar (@finelychopped)

With a passionate love for food, Kalyan Karmakar’s Instagram account showcases his culinary adventures. He is the author of The Travelling Belly, you can check his recipes @ www.finelychopped.net. From trying local street food to exploring high-end restaurants, Kalyan entices his followers with mouth-watering visuals and detailed food reviews. His expertise lies in unraveling the flavors of diverse Indian cuisines.

2. Shivesh Bhatia (@shivesh17)

Shivesh is a self-taught, talented baker and author of 4 cookbooks. He uses his Instagram account to share his scrumptious homemade desserts and baking tutorials. With over 1.8 million followers, his creative recipes, and beautifully styled baked goods, he has garnered a substantial following. He conducts baking workshops and collaborations. He is listed in Forbes 30 Under 30, Asia. You can connect with him @[email protected] 

Fashion

1. Masoom Minawala Mehta (@masoomminawala)

Based in Belgium, Masoom is a fashion blogger and influencer who has captured the attention of millions. With her well-curated outfits, fashion tips, and collaborations with renowned brands, she has become a prominent figure in the Indian fashion industry. She is a public figure listed in the Forbes Magazine.

2. Santoshi Shetty (@santoshishetty)

With more than 733K followers, Santoshi has established herself as a fashion icon with her unique sense of style and fashion-forward content. Her Instagram feed features stunning outfits, innovative fashion looks, and collaborations with renowned designers. She is the founder of @gardenofsanti and co-director of @yamayoga. For any collabs, you can ping her [email protected]

Travel

1. Ankit Bhatia (@ankitbhatiafilms)

Ankit Bhatia Films is an Instagram account run by Ankit Bhatia, a passionate traveler and filmmaker. He shares stunning photographs and videos from his travels worldwide on his Instagram page. He showcases the beauty of various destinations through his lens, giving viewers a glimpse into different cultures, landscapes, and experiences.

2. Shivya Nath (@shivya)

Shivya is an avid traveler who quit her corporate job to pursue her passion for exploration. With her breathtaking travel photographs and compelling stories, she is the bestselling author: The Shooting Star, BBC, NatGeo, etc. She encourages her followers to step outside their comfort zones and experience the beauty.

Photography:

Ganesh Vanare(@haram_khor_)

Ganesh is a renowned Indian documentary photographer who focuses on capturing beautiful travel photos. With more than 500K followers, Oppo has made him his ambassador. His impactful visual traveling adventures have earned him accolades and recognition in the photography community.

Comedy:

Bhuvan Bam (@bhuvan.bam22)

Bhuvan Bam is a popular Indian YouTuber, comedian, and musician. He gained fame through his YouTube channel BB Ki Vines, where he portrays multiple characters and creates funny skits. Bhuvan Bam is also active on social media platforms such as Instagram, with 18+ Million followers. He shares updates about his videos, and personal life and interacts with his Insta fans. His upcoming Amazon Series is Takeshi’s Castle. 

Fashion and Lifestyle

1. Ankush Bahuguna (@ankushbahuguna)

Ankush creates content revolving around modern relationships and social dynamics. Through his hilarious videos and relatable anecdotes, he has built a dedicated following and become a prominent voice in niche comedy.

2. Malvika Sitlani (@malvikasitlaniofficial)

Malvika is a beauty and lifestyle influencer who provides honest product reviews and beauty tutorials. Her content resonates with her followers, making her a trusted source of information in the beauty industry.

How do Instagrammers collaborate with brands?

Instagrammers collaborate with brands in several ways:

1. Sponsored posts

Instagrammers create and share posts featuring a brand’s products or services in exchange for payment or free products. These posts usually include a caption that discloses the partnership.

2. Ambassadorships

Instagrammers become brand ambassadors, representing and promoting the brand. It involves creating regular content featuring the brand and engaging with the audience using brand products.

3. Giveaways and contests

Instagrammers collaborate with brands to host giveaways or contests where their followers can enter for a chance to win the brand’s products. It improves brand visibility and engagement.

4. Event coverage

Brands may invite Instagrammers to cover their events, such as product launches or fashion shows, by sharing photos or videos on their accounts. It helps generate buzz and reach a wider audience.

5. Affiliate marketing

Instagrammers can collaborate with brands by sharing unique discount codes or referral links with their audience. Whenever followers use the codes or links, Instagrammers earn commissions.

6. Product reviews

Brands may send products to Instagrammers for them to test, review, and share their honest opinions with their audience. It helps build trust and credibility for both the brand and the Instagrammer.

**NOTE- Instagrammers typically collaborate with brands that align with their niche or personal preferences to maintain authenticity and relevance for their audience.

What does the future hold for influencers?

The future of influencers is likely to be bright and promising. As we move further into the digital age, the Instagram influencers and impact of social media will grow. But for that influencers should enhance their skills, knowledge, and expertise to stay relevant. Many may undergo professional training to improve their content, storytelling abilities, and audience engagement.

While platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok dominate, new platforms and formats may emerge later. So, adaptability is a must. As audiences become savvier, influencers must focus on building genuine connections and maintaining transparency. Trust and authenticity will be crucial in sustaining long-term relationships with followers. Instagram Influencers need to be more honest about partnerships and differentiate between sponsored and organic content.

Many Instagram influencers are likely to focus on niche markets to stand out from the crowd. Also, with the rise of influencer marketing, regulations will become more stringent. Governments and regulatory bodies may introduce guidelines or laws to ensure ethical and transparent influencer practices.

How to become one?

Becoming an Instagram influencer requires dedication, strategy, and effective execution. Here are steps to help you become an Instagram influencer:

1. Choose a Niche

Decide on a specific area or topic that interests you and aligns with your expertise or passion. It will help you build a targeted audience.

2. Research Competitors

Identify successful Instagram influencers in your niche and study their content, strategies, and engagement. Analyze what sets them apart and learn from their techniques.

3. Create a Captivating Profile

Craft a compelling and visually appealing Instagram profile. Use a clear profile picture and write a catchy bio that reflects your niche and personality. Add relevant keywords and hashtags to your profile to improve its visibility.

4. Develop a Content Strategy

Plan and create high-quality content that resonates with your target audience. Experiment with different types of posts, such as photos, videos, stories, and IGTV. Maintain a consistent theme and use editing tools to enhance the visual appeal of your content.

5. Engage with Your Audience

Respond to comments and direct messages. Show genuine interest in their opinions and form genuine ties. Collaborate with other Instagram influencers or brands to expand your reach.

6. Use Hashtags and Geotags

Research popular hashtags and geotags relevant to your niche. Use them strategically in captions or comments to increase discoverability and attract new followers.

7. Post Regularly and Optimize Timing

Consistency is key on Instagram. Maintain a regular posting schedule and determine the best times to post when your audience is most active. Analyze the insights available on Instagram to find optimal posting times.

8. Utilize Instagram Features

Stay updated with the latest Instagram features and utilize them to engage your audience. Experiment with interactive stickers, shoppable posts, reels, and IGTV to diversify your content.

9. Collaborate with Brands

With followers, start collaborating with brands. Reach out to relevant businesses or wait for them to approach you. Promote products or services you genuinely believe in and disclose partnerships transparently.

10. Measure and Adjust

Regularly analyze your performance metrics through Instagram Insights or third-party analytics tools. Assess what content resonates best with your audience and adjust your strategy based on the insights gained.

Remember, becoming an influencer takes time and effort. Stay authentic, be patient, and consistently deliver valuable content to build a loyal and engaged following.