The chase for the most-liked photo on Instagram is a wild ride, especially when you throw a famous model into the mix. Everybody loves to double-tap a beautiful picture, but what really puts a post at the very top? If you’re hoping to know whose face or selfie rules the like button right now, you’re in for a treat.

Instagram’s top spot isn’t just about beauty—it’s a mix of star power, perfect timing, and sometimes even a little drama. Models know exactly how to work the camera and get fans buzzing. Why do some photos skyrocket and others sink, even from people with millions of followers? There’s a recipe, and we’ll dig right into it.

Want to spot the next viral post or even boost your own shot? There are a few tricks and patterns everyone can learn from the current record holders. From which type of photos tend to go viral to how captions and trends make a difference, there’s plenty to crack open here. Think of it as your shortcut to figuring out Instagram’s biggest winners—and maybe leveling up your own game too.

• Who Has the Most Liked Instagram Photo?
• Why Did This Photo Go Viral?
• What Makes a Model’s Post Blow Up?
• Tips to Spot and Boost Popular Instagram Photos

Who Has the Most Liked Instagram Photo?

If you think a hot model has the most double-tapped pic on Instagram, you’re not far off from the truth! For a while, celebs like Kylie Jenner and Ariana Grande owned this title, thanks to their massive reach and dedicated fans. But guess what? The record shifted in ways nobody totally saw coming.

Right now, the most liked Instagram photo isn’t what most people expect. The crown goes to Lionel Messi, not a model but a global sports star, with his epic World Cup celebration post in December 2022. That photo racked up over 75 million likes, crushing all previous records. Messi, sharing pure joy with the trophy after Argentina’s win, took over from the infamous "egg photo" that broke the internet (yes, a simple brown egg once held the crown—no model, just an egg and a mission!).

But jump over to the world of hot models. Kylie Jenner’s post announcing her daughter’s birth in 2018 once hit more than 18 million likes. It stayed at the top until the egg and later Messi’s soccer triumph. Other models, like Cristiano Ronaldo’s partner Georgina Rodríguez and Bella Hadid, have posted photos with 10-15 million likes, but none have cracked the all-time lead recently.

So if you’re following the world of hot models on Instagram, Kylie Jenner’s "daughter announcement" shot is their big winner—nothing else from a model or influencer comes close yet. If you see a big spike in likes on a model’s photo, it’s usually a mix of a huge reveal, major life event, or something that gets talked about outside Instagram itself. That’s what pushes a post from popular to record-breaking.

Why Did This Photo Go Viral?

If you’ve ever wondered why that one model’s shot managed to break records and rack up the most likes on Instagram, it’s because there was way more going on than just a pretty picture. First off, the star factor is huge. When a globally recognized model—think someone like Kendall Jenner or Selena Gomez—posts, their followers are already ready to like, comment, and share every move.

But going viral takes more than just a big following. Timing is everything. For example, the famous photo of an egg that once held the record dropped at a moment when Instagram users were actively looking for something to rally around. When a well-loved model goes viral, it’s usually tied to special news, a major event, or even a bit of controversy. Remember when Georgina Rodriguez posted her pregnancy reveal? She smashed records not only because she’s a hot model, but also because her followers saw it as real, emotional, and newsworthy.

Engagement matters, too. A smart caption—like a playful tease or a strong message—can make people talk and share the image in their stories or chat groups. Sometimes it’s about what’s not shown, adding a sense of mystery. And when fans start tagging their friends or celebrities jump in with their reactions, things snowball. Once a post hits that fast climb, the Instagram algorithm does the rest, showing it to even more users.

• A major celebrity’s face or milestone moment
• Strong emotions or relatable news (think breakups, proposals, surprise announcements)
• Tactical posting times (weekends, holidays, or right after big events)
• Simple but catchy captions

So, if you spot a most liked Instagram photo from a hot model, it’s rarely by luck. There’s almost always a story or a strategy behind that viral moment—and if you’re hoping to reach those numbers, it’s smart to pay attention to what these record-breakers do differently.

What Makes a Model’s Post Blow Up?

If you’ve ever scrolled your feed and wondered why one model’s selfie racks up millions of likes while another barely moves the needle, there’s a method behind the madness. The secret sauce isn’t just killer looks or perfect lighting—though those help a lot. It’s actually a mix of real strategies and razor-sharp timing.

First up, timing is everything. Take Kylie Jenner, for example. Her pregnancy reveal post shot straight to the top because nobody saw it coming and everyone was watching. Dropping a photo during big cultural moments or right after a major life event can make people swarm to your post.

Another major game-changer: collaboration. When models tag other celebrities or brands, everyone’s audience sees it. Think of how Hailey Bieber’s wedding photos got a boost by tagging not just Justin but the designers and glam squad—it creates a ripple effect that spreads fast.

• Most liked Instagram photo posts are always super high quality. Professional photographers, creative angles, and on-point editing set the bar for what gets people’s attention.
• Authenticity wins. Sure, glam shots are great, but fans double-tap most when models share unfiltered or behind-the-scenes moments. People want to see a little real life, not just perfection.
• Captions matter more than you might think. A funny, relatable, or personal caption hooks people and often gets them to share the post, making it go further.
• Getting in on challenges or trending hashtags—like the #10yearchallenge or fashion week trends—is a fast track for major reach.
• Stories and feeds work together. When a model teases a photo in their story before posting to the main feed, anticipation goes up and likes roll in fast.

At the end of the day, real engagement pays off way more than simply chasing numbers. Replying to comments, liking other people’s posts, and staying active keeps followers interested and boosts the chance for any post to explode. Copying these strategies might not make you Insta-famous overnight, but they sure stack the odds in your favor.

Tips to Spot and Boost Popular Instagram Photos

Catching a viral moment on Instagram isn’t about luck—it’s about knowing what works. Most of the time, most liked Instagram photo isn’t just a random post. It’s planned, timed, and packed with details that hit just right with followers.

Here’s some straight talk about spotting and building a popular Instagram photo, especially if you want to follow in the footsteps of the hottest models:

• Spot trends early: The biggest posts often ride trending moments, hashtags, or viral challenges. Models like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid don’t just show up—they show up right when chatter is loudest.
• Quality rules: Blurry, low-light pics just don’t cut it. Bright, crisp images grab people’s eyes. Look at the photos from Hailey Bieber’s wedding shoot—prime example of how pro photos help.
• Captions matter: A simple heart emoji or a fun question (“Which look is better?”) can turn a plain photo into a conversation starter.
• Timing is everything: Posting late at night or during big global events? Not your best bet. Instagram posts get peak likes in the afternoon or early evening, especially on weekdays.
• Network power: Tag popular accounts, collaborate with other creators, and use Instagram Stories to tease your big post. Cross-platform promotion works for models and brands alike.

According to a 2024 report by Hootsuite, photos posted by big names between 4–6 PM local time get, on average, 28% more engagement than other times of day. That bump isn’t just for A-listers—it works for everyone who has an audience.

“The secret behind virality is not just content quality, but how well you can tee up anticipation and hit that emotional sweet spot just as people are scrolling.” – Social media analyst Jane Fitzpatrick, SocialTrends 2024

If you want hard numbers, take a peek at this quick data table on how the big accounts do it:

If you’re boosting your own posts, don’t just throw up a pic and hope for the best. Here’s a quick step-by-step to max those likes:

1. Look at what’s trending today. Hot models and influencers rarely miss the week’s big meme or cause.
2. Plan your post for that afternoon sweet spot.
3. Pick a killer, high-resolution photo. Phone cameras work, but clean your lens and pick a well-lit spot.
4. Write a caption that asks a question or starts a story. People want to react, not just scroll.
5. Tag accounts that matter and use up to 10 really relevant hashtags (not spammy ones).
6. After posting, jump into comments quickly—the faster you reply, the longer your post stays active in people’s feeds.

The most popular photos aren’t always wild or outrageous. Sometimes it’s a model’s soft smile, a behind-the-scenes shot, or a real-life milestone. Watch for what makes you stop when scrolling—chances are, others feel the same. Use those lessons, and who knows? With some timing and the right touch, you might just go viral, too.