Report: Instagram quietly hits 2 billion monthly users

Instagram hit 2 billion monthly active users worldwide earlier this fall, CNBC reports, citing unnamed sources.

Why it matters: Instagram joins an exclusive club of just four social apps that have hit that milestone. Meta owns three of the four.

The intrigue: Instagram may have opted to keep the achievement a secret in an effort to avoid conflating its already messy public image.

• The company has been dragged by lawmakers over whistleblower allegations that it doesn't do enough to protect the mental health of young users.
• Last week, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri testified before Congress about the matter for the first time.

Yes, but: The question remains whether these types of metrics accurately reflect Instagram's true user base.

• For example, a Facebook whistleblower complaint filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission this fall suggests the company misled investors about the true size of its shrinking user base.
• Young users on Instagram are known for creating fake duplicate accounts, dubbed "finstas," to hide their identities on the app.

What to watch: In hitting 2 billion users, Instagram has proven that its app still has room to grow, despite increased competition from apps like TikTok.

Instagram did not immediately reply to request for comment.