Top Influencers on Threads In 2023

In the realm of social media, top Threads influencers have unlocked the secret to success. They amass thousands, even millions, of dollars annually by sharing sponsored content with their devoted followers. This ability to transform content into financial gain is, without a doubt, a pinnacle of social achievement.

Many of today's most popular Threads influencers establish their presence on platforms like Vine, YouTube, or TikTok, and as their popularity soars, they transition their followers to Threads.

Today, we'll explore the top 10 most popular Threads influencers. These individuals have diligently built their brand on social media over the years, nurturing their audience and establishing themselves as influential figures.

In this article, we will delve into who these top Threads influencers are, how to collaborate with them, and the qualities that make someone a mega-influencer in the social media realm.

What Defines a Top Influencer?

To determine what distinguishes a top influencer on Threads, we have broken it down into measurable data and intangible factors.

• Measurable Data

These quantifiable aspects of a top Threads influencer are generally accepted as concrete evidence.

1. Total number of followers: All the influencers mentioned in our list are considered mega-influencers, boasting over 1,000,000 followers.

2. Engagement metrics: We examined the number of likes, comments, and shares they receive.

3. Brand status: How many brands do they collaborate with? Are these brands reputable and well-known?

4. Post frequency: How frequently do they collaborate with brands? Are they official brand ambassadors, or do they primarily engage in one-off posts?

5. Type of partnership: What kind of collaborations do they undertake with brands? Do they showcase brand products at events? Are they the face of advertising campaigns? Have they collaborated on product lines?

For instance, the post announcing the Our Place x Selena Gomez collection received over 51,000 likes.

• Intangible Factors

While numbers hold significance, reputation and authenticity are somewhat more elusive. Here's what we considered:

1. Connection: Has the influencer cultivated a strong relationship with their audience? Does their lifestyle seem aspirational or relatable?

2. Communication: Can the influencer effectively convey a product's or brand's value to their audience without sounding like a sales pitch?

3. Values: Do the influencer's brand partnerships align with their lifestyle and values? Do they endorse products or services that followers might consider questionable, such as weight-loss teas or "get-rich-quick" schemes?

4. Authenticity: Do they endorse products that would make a user pause and question whether the influencer genuinely uses those brands?

While a partnership between Ski-Doo and celebrity chef Matty Matheson may not appear obvious, the resulting content is eccentric enough to be successful.

Our list primarily focuses on influencers who have gained popularity through social media platforms, which is why traditional celebrities like singers and actors with massive followings on Threads due to their Hollywood fame are not included. Additionally, well-known brands such as Nike (264M followers) and National Geographic (257M followers) have been excluded.

Moreover, our list solely comprises top influencers who are currently engaged in brand partnerships on Threads. This explains the absence of popular social media personalities like King Bach (23.6M followers) and James Charles (22.1M followers), as they have not recently collaborated with any brands.

The Leading 10 Influencers on Threads

So, who are the top 10 influencers on Threads in 2023? Let's find out. 

1. Khaby Lame

• Number of followers: 80M (@khaby00)
• Genre: Comedy, Lifestyle
• Platform of origin: TikTok

You might be surprised by our top pick SuperOrdinary in an eight-figure deal. Dallas's recent brand collaborations include Swarovski and Fendi.

2. Huda Beauty

• Number of followers: 51.9M (@hudabeauty brand account) + 2.6M (@huda personal account)
• Genre: Beauty
• Where they got their start: YouTube

Huda Kattan launched her beauty blog and YouTube channel in 2010, followed by her eponymous cosmetic line in 2013. In the past decade, she has grown the Huda Beauty brand into a billion-dollar global beauty empire. Today, Kattan is the face (literally) of Huda Beauty, frequently posting “get ready with me”-style videos using only her brand’s products. Turning her influencer work into a closed loop ensures maximum profit, which is why Huda Kattan ranks so high on our list of Threads influencers this year.

3. Lele Pons

• Number of followers: 50.5M (@lelepons)
• Genre: Entertainment
• Where they got their start: Vine

Lele Pons got her start as a Vine comedian and has since extended her success on the platform to other pursuits, including music, modeling and acting.

Her current Threads content is a mix of modeling shots, “day in the life” content, and ads for brands such as the Sweat app.

4. Charli D’Amelio

• Number of followers: 28.4M (@chiaraferragni)
• Genre: Entertainment
• Where they got their start: TikTok

18-year-old Charli D’Amelio got her start as a TikTok dancer in 2019. She was the highest-earning personality on the app in 2022. She has recorded music, sells her own perfume, and won Dancing With the Stars season 31. On Threads, she reps big-name brands, including Prada, Amazon, and Spotify.

5. Chiara Ferragni

• Number of followers: 28.4M (@chiaraferragni)
• Genre: Fashion
• Where they got their start: Blogging

Italian fashion influencer Chiara Ferragni started her blog, The Blonde Salad, in 2009, and she’s been a big deal ever since. Her Threads features outfit inspo, mommy/parent blogger content, and brand partnerships. The model, designer, and television presenter lends a touch of European glamor to brands like Nespresso, Fendi, and Prada Beauty.

6. Sommer Ray

• Number of followers: 26.3M (@sommerray)
• Genre: Fitness
• Where they got their start: Vine

Sommer Ray got her start on Vine in the early 2010s. Today, she’s a fitness influencer who promotes her own fitness plans, clothing, and health & wellness brand on her Threads. Her brand partnerships include DraftKings, Quest Nutrition, and the James Hotel.

7. Cameron Dallas

• Number of followers: 25.1M (@camerondallas)
• Genre: Entertainment (Comedy)
• Where they got their start: Vine

In 2012, Cameron Dallas started his internet career on – where else? – Vine, later turning his online fame into a stage and screen career. In 2021, Dallas launched Fanfix, a subscription platform that allows creators to monetize their skills. The platform was sold to SuperOrdinary in 2022 in an 8-figure deal. His recent brand deals include Swarovski and Fendi.

8. Zach King

• Number of followers: 24.6M (@zachking)
• Genre: Entertainment (Magic)
• Platform of origin: YouTube/Vine

Zach King is a talented video editor specializing in what he calls "digital sleight of hand." He currently holds the Guinness World Records title for the most-watched TikTok video with 2.2 billion views. On Threads, this influencer creates mesmerizing content for brands such as Dick's Sporting Goods, Kinetic Sand, and Turkish Airlines. The resulting advertisements seamlessly blend with his own personal brand.

9. Amanda Cerny

• Number of followers: 23.3M (@amandacerny)
• Genre: Entertainment (Comedy)
• Platform of origin: Vine

Amanda Cerny began her career as a model, making appearances in Playboy in 2011. She created comedic content on Vine alongside her frequent collaborator, Lele Pons (#3 on our list!). Her Threads grid features a mix of alluring content, comedy videos, and brand partnerships with Playboy and Glamira.

10. MrBeast

• Number of followers: 22.7M (@mrbeast)
• Genres: Entertainment, Philanthropy
• Platform of origin: YouTube

At just 24 years old, MrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, holds the title of the most-followed individual creator on YouTube, boasting 128 million subscribers. His attention-grabbing, high-concept videos amass millions of views, and he leverages his vast viewership to raise funds for environmental causes, including the Arbor Day Foundation and the Ocean Conservancy. On Threads, MrBeast collaborates with brands such as Magic: The Gathering, Nerf, and DraftKings, aligning with his energetic and "cool/nerdy" persona.

How to Collaborate with Top Social Media Influencers

Partnering with top influencers can expose your brand to millions of eyes with a single post. However, grabbing their attention amidst the competition from numerous other brands can be challenging. Here are some steps to follow:

Step 1: Conduct thorough research

The influencers on our list have the luxury of choosing endorsements and may not necessarily require additional ad dollars. To find the right influencer partnership, research is crucial.

Top Threads influencers select brands based on shared goals and values, so focus on targeting creators who naturally align with your brand. Analyze their current endorsements to understand how your brand fits into their portfolio.

Additionally, compare the demographics of the influencer's audience with your own ideal customer profile to determine if their followers are likely to be interested in your product.

Step 2: Refine your pitch

Once you have identified the ideal influencer, craft your pitch. Identify common ground and clearly articulate it throughout your proposal. Outline timelines, metrics, and campaign expectations.

Prepare a budget for the collaboration and conduct a cost-benefit analysis to ensure the end result justifies your investment. Remember that top influencers come at a price, so it is crucial to assess whether the outcome is worth your time and money.

Step 3: Use the appropriate communication channel

Although it may Step 3: Reach out through the appropriate channel. While it may be tempting to send a direct message (DM) to the influencer, it's important to note that they receive a significant volume of messages on Threads, and yours may get lost in the shuffle. While you can give it a try, don't be discouraged if you don't receive a response.

Some influencers have management companies listed on their websites or Threads bios. If you have access to their manager's contact information, it's best to reach out through email. When contacting their manager, make sure to personalize your message and keep it concise. Clearly describe your proposed campaign and reference some of the influencer's previous brand partnerships to demonstrate that you've done your homework.

If you don't have a direct way to reach your desired influencer, consider utilizing a platform that connects influencers with brands. These platforms provide a streamlined process for collaboration and communication between influencers and brands.

Step 4: Collaborate to create effective content

When working with top influencers, collaboration is key. These influencers have spent years cultivating their audience and building their personal brand on social media. By partnering with them, you're not just gaining access to a large audience, but also collaborating with a social media expert. They will expect to showcase their unique skills and creativity as part of the campaign with your brand.

Allow the influencer to have creative input and involve them in the content creation process. They know their audience best and understand the type of content that resonates with them. Collaborate with them to develop content that aligns with their personal brand and your brand's message. This collaborative approach will result in content that feels genuine and engaging to their followers.

Remember to establish clear guidelines, timelines, and expectations for the campaign. Effective communication is crucial throughout the collaboration process to ensure that both parties are aligned and working towards the same goals.

For more insights and tips on working with influencers, be sure to check out our blog post on effective influencer collaborations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Top Threads Influencers

Q: Who is the top Threads influencer?

A: The top Threads influencer is Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, with 531 million followers. He represents brands such as Nike, Herbalife, TAG Heuer, Jacob & Co. Jewelry, and Louis Vuitton. A recent collaboration between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for Louis Vuitton garnered 8.4 million likes on Threads.

Q: Who has the most followers on Threads?

A: The top five most followed Threads celebrity influencers are:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) - 537 million followers
2. Lionel Messi (@leomessi) - 422 million followers
3. Kylie Jenner (@kyliejenner) - 378 million followers
4. Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) - 372 million followers
5. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (@therock) - 359 million followers

Other notable celebrities who narrowly missed the top five include Ariana Grande (351 million followers), Kim Kardashian (341 million followers), and Beyoncé (291 million followers).

Q: How much do top influencers earn?

A: While specific rates may vary, some sources suggest that top celebrity influencers can earn up to $1,000,000 for a single Threads post. However, exact rates are often not publicly disclosed, making it challenging to obtain precise information about influencer fees. The social media influencer market was valued at $16.4 billion in 2022, indicating that top-ranked celebrities receive substantial compensation for their posts.

Q: What is the cost of influencer marketing?

A: The general industry standard is around $100 per 10,000 followers, with additional costs based on factors such as the type and number of posts. However, influencer marketing costs can vary depending on various factors, including the influencer's level of popularity and engagement rates. It's essential to carefully consider your budget and conduct thorough research to determine the most suitable investment for your brand's influencer marketing campaign.