In January 2019, a simple photo of an egg posted by @world_record_egg, created by Chris Godfrey, became the most-liked picture on Instagram, surpassing Kylie Jenner. The account, still online, later used its platform to address mental health issues. The record was broken on December 20, 2022, by Lionel Messi’s World Cup victory post, which garnered over 56 million likes.
In the vast world of social media, where celebrities, influencers, and viral trends dominate the landscape, an unlikely contender took Instagram by storm: a simple photo of an egg. For almost four years, this unassuming image held the title of the most-liked picture on Instagram, captivating millions and sparking countless conversations. Let’s dive into the story behind the egg that scrambled the Instagram records.
On January 4, 2019, an Instagram account named @world_record_egg posted a picture of a plain, brown egg. The caption read, "Let’s set a world record together and get the most liked post on Instagram. Beating the current world record held by Kylie Jenner (18 million)!" This bold and somewhat cheeky challenge caught the attention of the internet, and within days, the egg was cracking records left and right.
The mastermind behind this viral sensation was Chris Godfrey, a London-based advertising creative. Along with his friends C.J. Brown and Alissa Khan-Whelan, Godfrey wanted to see if something as mundane as an egg could outshine the glamorous posts of social media stars. Their experiment proved wildly successful, capturing the collective curiosity and support of Instagram users worldwide.
As the egg continued to amass likes, the account @world_record_egg didn't just rest on its laurels. The creators used the platform to address important issues, most notably mental health. In February 2019, a follow-up post revealed the egg starting to crack, symbolizing the pressures of social media. This led to a partnership with Hulu, releasing a video about the impact of social media on mental health during the Super Bowl.
Despite its explosive start and continued relevance, the egg account remains online and active, albeit with less frequent posts. The initial charm of the egg still lingers, with its legacy firmly cemented in the annals of social media history.
The egg's reign as the most-liked Instagram post continued unchallenged for nearly four years. However, on December 20, 2022, it was dethroned by another post that captured the hearts of millions. The record was broken by Lionel Messi, the iconic soccer player, after Argentina's World Cup victory. Messi’s celebratory post, featuring him holding the World Cup trophy, garnered over 56 million likes, surpassing the egg’s record and setting a new benchmark for social media virality.
The story of the world record egg is a testament to the unpredictable nature of social media. What started as a playful experiment turned into a global phenomenon, challenging our perceptions of what can go viral. The egg proved that sometimes, the simplest things can have the most profound impact, bringing people together in unexpected ways.