Oreo is the most popular Insta-snack in the US

A new study maps the most popular food and snack brands in the US, with big names like Oreo, Kit Kat and Snickers at the top. The findings, compiled by promotional and loyalty experts Snipp Interactive, are ranked by number of Instagram hashtags.

1. Oreo tops the charts as the most popular food brand on Instagram, with an astonishing 9,776,758 hashtags – a whopping six million more than any other food brand in the rankings. With an impressive social follower base of 3.6 million on Instagram, Oreo benefits from a lot of user-generated content, with people tagging their delicious creations, from Oreo milkshakes to Oreo cakes. The ranking highlights Oreo as the most aesthetically pleasing and Instagram-worthy snack brand. The delicious cookies are a clear favorite as according to research, 71.26 million Americans consumed Nabisco Oreo (Regular) in 2020 – making it one of the most popular cookies in the US. Additionally, according to YouGov data, an impressive 98% of Americans have heard of the brand, and 76% of people have a positive opinion of it, indicating that Oreo is currently dominating in the states.
2. Kit Kat – Coming in second as the second most popular food brand is Kit Kat, with 3,783,190 Instagram hashtags. The globally recognized brand, known for its iconic combination of crispy waffles covered in smooth milk chocolate, is clearly an Instagram favorite. Users tag Kit Kat in a variety of tasty content, including Kit Kat cakes, milkshakes and ice cream creations, similar to their competitor Oreo. Furthermore, according to research, an astonishing 1,192 million Kit Kat bars are sold every year in the United States alone – an extremely impressive figure. Additionally, according to YouGov data, Kit Kat has a popularity rating of 79% and 98% of respondents have heard of the brand, cementing Kit Kat’s position as one of the most loved American food brands.
3. Snickers Another iconic chocolate brand, Snickers, comes in third, with 1,756,558 Instagram hashtags. The brand benefits from a lot of excellent user-generated content, which helps to grow its Instagram follower base. People are getting creative and sharing their mouth-watering creations, using Snickers bars in various cakes and cookies. Plus, makers are even developing healthier snacks, like Snickers protein bites and overnight oat recipes. According to YouGov data, 77% of people have a favorable opinion of the brand, earning it a place in the rankings.
4. Doritos Doritos claims fourth place with 1,066,146 hashtags on Instagram. The brand has earned the title of most popular potato chips in the US, ranking higher than its main competitors, such as Pringles and Lay’s. The brand is constantly releasing new flavors, and consumers are clearly loyal to the brand by sharing their favorite flavors and new finds on Instagram, helping Doritos build its 1 million Instagram followers.
5. Hershey Ranking fifth as one of the most loved food brands is Hershey, with 1,060,904 Instagram hashtags. The brand is an undisputed favorite within the states, as evidenced by YouGov data, which shows that 98% of people recognize the brand and 77% have a positive opinion of Hershey. Instagram users are sharing all their favorite Hershey treats and homemade desserts, including cakes, cookies, donuts and plenty of other mouth-watering recipes.
6. Ben & Jerry’s Ben & Jerry’s secures sixth place with 1,020,212 Instagram hashtags. The iconic brand, known for its decadent ice cream flavors, has been named the most popular American ice cream brand, as evidenced by its impressive 1.5 million Instagram followers. Data suggests that 97% of people have heard of the brand, making it one of the most famous dessert brands in the states, and Instagram users are eager to share their ice cream creations, with over a million users tagging Ben & Jerry’s on the platform.
7. Reese’s In seventh place is Reese’s, with 969,059 Instagram hashtags. The iconic brand, known for its combination of peanut butter and chocolate, has cemented its position as one of the most beloved candy brands in the US. Fans of the chocolate have been experimenting and sharing their creations on Instagram, with recipes and videos for Reese’s cookies, cakes and brownies.
8. Pringles Pringles claims eighth place with 904,509 Instagram hashtags. Known for its iconic potato chips, the brand has a dedicated fan base who love to share their favorite flavors.
9. Lay’s Lay’s, another chip brand, comes in ninth place with 795,842 Instagram tags. Users are tagging the brand in lots of delicious content, ranging from classic flavors to more adventurous options, making it an aesthetically pleasing and Instagram-worthy snack brand.
10. Cheetos Finally, in tenth place is Cheetos with 784,364 Instagram hashtags. The brand is another popular snack choice, with consumers staying loyal and sharing videos and photos of their Cheetos snacks on Instagram.

Atul Sabharwal, founder and CEO of Snipp Interactive, says of this top 10: ‘The popularity of American food and snack brands is impressive, with some having millions of hashtags on Instagram collect. This reflects their exceptionally loyal customer base, offering brands fantastic engagement and reach through social media. Oreo’s dominance is extremely impressive, with over 9.7 million hashtags, demonstrating its overwhelming popularity among consumers. This is evident from the whopping six million more hashtags than any other food or snack brand in the rankings. The research shows that the US market favors tasty snack brands when sharing online, with candy and chip brands taking the top ten positions. Using hashtags on Instagram significantly improves brand visibility, allowing brands to reach their target audience more effectively. It’s clear that many big brands are making the most of social media, with Oreo, Kit Kat, Snickers, Ben & Jerry’s and Hershey’s leading the way as the most Instagrammable food brands on Insta.’

(PvWK | sources: YouGov.com, Instagram.com, Statista and Today.com | data credit Snipp.com, translation: ChatGPT | image: No Revisions / Unsplash)