Reach by platform
DataReportal's figures come from the ad tools of each platform. They show how many people an advertiser can reach, which is not the same as monthly active users. They are still the best like-for-like comparison available.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| YouTube | 500 M |
| 481 M | |
| 403 M |
Who grew
| Item | Digital 2025 | Digital 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 491 M | 500 M |
| 414 M | 481 M | |
| 384 M | 403 M |
Instagram added 67 million people of reach, a 16% jump. It is now within 20 million of YouTube. Facebook grew about 5% and YouTube about 2%.
What it means for your budget
Median mobile speeds above 130 Mbps make video the default format, even outside the metros. About 30% of the population is still offline, so print, outdoor and WhatsApp-led referrals still matter for many local businesses.
- Plan video first: Reels and Shorts, then repurpose them across platforms.
- Test Instagram reach campaigns while costs are still catching up with its growth.
- Create content in regional languages. Most new users are not English-first.
- Use WhatsApp for follow-ups and conversion, not for cold reach.
- Build mobile-first landing pages. Nearly every visit will come from a phone.
Frequently asked questions
How many internet users are there in India in 2026?
DataReportal's Digital 2026 India report puts internet users at about 1.03 billion, or 70% of the population, based on late 2025 data.
Which social media platform has the largest reach in India?
YouTube, with an advertising reach of 500 million people. Instagram is close behind at 481 million and Facebook reaches 403 million.
Is Instagram growing in India?
Yes. Instagram's ad reach in India grew from 414 million to 481 million between DataReportal's 2025 and 2026 reports, an increase of about 16%.
