Instagram Surpasses Facebook in European User Base, New Data Reveals
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Meta’s latest transparency report, filed as part of its obligations under the digital Services Act (DSA), paints a clear picture: Instagram is experiencing explosive growth in Europe while Facebook‘s user base is stagnating – and even shrinking in key markets. The data, covering January to June 2025, underscores a important shift in the social media landscape across the European Union.
The report, mandated by EU authorities to track user numbers and content moderation efforts on large online platforms, shows Instagram reaching 281.8 million monthly active users (MAU) in the EU, exceeding facebook’s 263.6 million MAU during the same period. “Instagram is now the big focus, which is likely reflective of broader trends,” a company release stated.
Instagram’s Rapid Ascent
Since March 2024, Instagram’s EU audience has surged by 6.17%,a growth rate ten times that of Facebook’s 0.65%.This dramatic difference highlights Instagram’s increasing appeal to European users. The platform has already overtaken Facebook in overall European user numbers for some time, but the latest figures demonstrate the widening gap.
Notably, Facebook has experienced user declines in The Netherlands, Greece, and germany, signaling a “changing of the guard” in these local social media markets. While Facebook continues to grow in Europe its momentum is clearly slowing.
Meta’s Shifting Reporting Strategy
Assessing Facebook’s broader relevance is complicated by Meta’s recent decision to discontinue publishing platform-specific user counts in its quarterly updates. Instead, the company now focuses on the growth of its “Family of apps,” encompassing Facebook, Instagram, Threads, WhatsApp, and Messenger. While this combined number is increasing, it remains unclear whether the EU trends are mirrored in othre global markets. “Europe is a key usage consideration for the app, and as such, coudl reflect broader shifts,” one analyst noted.
content Moderation Remains a Priority
Despite increasing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) and the implementation of a Community Notes model in the U.S., meta maintains a human moderation team of 40,000 – the same level reported as the start of DSA reporting in 2023. This commitment suggests the company recognizes the continued need for human oversight in content moderation.
The data also reveals a reduction in spam removals on both platforms, alongside a significant increase in removals related to bullying and harassment on Facebook. Removals related to hate speech decreased by 20%, though meta cautions that changes in criteria make direct comparisons challenging.
Implications for the Future
The rise of Instagram and the relative decline of Facebook in Europe represent a significant trend.
Why: Instagram is growing in popularity while Facebook is stagnating in Europe.
Who: Meta (Facebook and Instagram’s parent company), European users, EU authorities.
What: Instagram surpassed Facebook in monthly active users (MAU) in the EU between January and June 2025, with 281.8 million MAU compared to Facebook’s 263.6 million. Meta also changed its reporting strategy to focus on the “Family of Apps” instead of individual platform numbers.
How did it end?: The trend shows a clear shift in the social media landscape in Europe, with Instagram
