In late 2013 the most-followed Twitter profile was Katy Perry with about 47.9 million followers, just ahead of Justin Bieber at 47.3 million. By August 2026, the platform is called X, the most-followed account is owned by its owner, Elon Musk, with more than 241 million followers, and Perry and Bieber each sit at roughly 90 million, according to reported counts.
Below is our original 2013 top 10 with the follower counts as they stood that year, followed by a reported snapshot of where each profile stands in August 2026. Influence is harder to measure than followers, so this is a look at audience size, which is only one part of the story (for the other part, see our guide to how to be an influential person).
Most followed Twitter profiles: 2013 versus August 2026
| 2013 rank | Profile | Followers in 2013 | Reported followers, August 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Katy Perry @katyperry | 47.9 million | about 89.9 million |
| 2 | Justin Bieber @justinbieber | 47.3 million | about 91.8 million |
| 3 | Lady Gaga @ladygaga | 40.7 million | about 75.3 million |
| 4 | Barack Obama @BarackObama | 40.2 million | about 118.8 million |
| 5 | Taylor Swift @taylorswift13 | 37.1 million | about 83.8 million |
| 6 | Britney Spears @britneyspears | 34.4 million | not in the reported top group |
| 7 | Ellen DeGeneres @TheEllenShow | 23.8 million | about 62.2 million |
| 8 | Oprah Winfrey @oprah | 22.3 million | not in the reported top group |
| 9 | Kim Kardashian @KimKardashian | 18.8 million | about 70.8 million |
| 10 | Ashton Kutcher @aplusk | 15.2 million | not in the reported top group |
The 2013 top 10 Twitter profiles
The following ranking is our 2013 list, kept as a record of what the platform looked like then. All follower counts below are from 2013.
10. Ashton Kutcher @aplusk: 15.2 million followers
Kutcher was one of the busiest names of 2013, involved in commercial campaigns, “Two and a Half Men” and a Steve Jobs film.
9. Kim Kardashian @KimKardashian: 18.8 million followers
She had a baby that year, her business was booming and her following was closing in on the 20 million mark.
8. Oprah Winfrey @oprah: 22.3 million followers
Oprah, like most people on this list, had a team managing her image online, and she was still among the most influential women in recent history.
7. Ellen DeGeneres @TheEllenShow: 23.8 million followers
Ellen’s reach went well beyond America, with followers from around the world and tweets built for retweeting.
6. Britney Spears @britneyspears: 34.4 million followers
Close to 35 million followers at the time, and a pop star who was constantly involved in new projects.
5. Taylor Swift @taylorswift13: 37.1 million followers
Swift was closely followed by 37 million people and gaining on the account above her.
4. Barack Obama @BarackObama: 40.2 million followers
The then US president was one of the most-followed leaders on social media, with a lot of interaction from his followers.
3. Lady Gaga @ladygaga: 40.7 million followers
Her “little monsters” were among the most loyal fan groups online, and her following had grown after her success on Facebook.
2. Justin Bieber @justinbieber: 47.3 million followers
Bieber’s huge following and constant presence in the press put him a close second.
1. Katy Perry @katyperry: 47.9 million followers
Perry took the top spot in November 2013, passing Bieber as the most followed person on the platform. She later received a Guinness record for most Twitter followers, and in June 2017 she became the first person to gain 100 million followers on the site.
What changed since 2013?
A lot. In October 2022 Elon Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion. In July 2023 he announced the rebrand to X, and the bird logo was retired. By 2024 the process was complete.
The reported August 2026 snapshot shows the top of the list belongs to a different type of account: Musk (241.5 million), Obama (118.8 million), Cristiano Ronaldo (114.5 million) and Narendra Modi (107.1 million) all reportedly top 100 million. Perry, who first crossed the 100 million mark in 2017, has since fallen below it, at around 89.9 million.
How we put this list together
The 2013 ranking is our original editorial list, based on follower counts at the time. The 2026 figures are reported counts for August 2026 and are approximate.
Keep reading
- How to be an influential person: the skills that matter beyond follower counts
- 15 ways social media is harming you: the other side of a big following
FAQ
Who had the most Twitter followers in 2013?
Katy Perry, with about 47.9 million followers in late 2013, just ahead of Justin Bieber at 47.3 million.
Who has the most followers on X in 2026?
Elon Musk, with more than 241 million followers as of August 2026, according to reported counts.
Was Twitter renamed X?
Yes. Elon Musk announced the rebrand in July 2023 after buying Twitter in October 2022 for $44 billion.
How many followers does Katy Perry have now?
Reportedly about 89.9 million as of August 2026, down from a peak above 100 million in 2017.
Why did follower counts grow so much since 2013?
Audiences compound over time. Most of the 2013 leaders reportedly have between roughly 1.9 and 3.8 times their 2013 follower totals in August 2026.
Last updated: October 2026.
