As much as we may sometimes hate the amount of time we spend on Instagram, the majority of us use it to tag our mates in memes, upload relatively boring foods pics and deep-stalk frenemies with extreme zeal.

But we are missing a trick, guys. While you're 'busy' doing nothing because you've got no money despite being paid yesterday, others are far more savvy and are using the app to make some serious cash.

instagramView full post on Instagram

Proof that upping your Insta game can literally transform your selfies into a multimillion-pound business, Hopper HQ – an Instagram scheduling site – has published the first-ever Instagram Rich List to see exactly who is making the most dollar for their 'brunch' posts.

In response to the app asking users to clearly identify when they are being paid (by using a 'paid partnership' label), the site compiled a list using a mix of internal data and publicly available information.

In one camp you've got the celebrities. Okay, it won't surprise you to learn that Selena Gomez reportedly takes home £425,000 for one post to her 122 million followers. She's the most followed person on Instagram/very famous, it makes sense.

She's closely followed by every single Kardashian sister, plus Gigi Hadid, Cara Delevingne and footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

In the other camp we'v got 'social media influencers'. And this is where it gets interesting. The top spot was taken by beauty guru Huda Kattan, who reportedly earns up to £14,000 for each post.

She may have 20.5 million followers, but she's also not a multi-million dollar pop star.

Internet sensations Cameron Dallas, new boyfriend of ELLE's June cover star Hailey Baldwin, and British beauty blogger Zoe Sugg aka Zoella, are also said to earn £10,000 per post.

So how exactly do they do it?

'With approximately 700 million active monthly users across the world it offers a wealth of potential customers for brands that have the budget to harness the influence of the people on our lists,' explains Mike Bandar, co-founder of HopperHQ.com, 'and a chance for people to make a real career out of 'gramming''.

'In the last couple of years influencers and celebrities have really caught on to the fact that endorsing brands on Instagram pays off.'

Yep. There is a serious amount of money to be had, just need a few mili followers first...

Headshot of Louise Donovan
Louise Donovan
Deputy Digital Editor
Louise Donovan is the Deputy Digital Editor at ELLE UK, with a focus on international women's rights, global development and human interest stories. She's reported from countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.