[2024 Edition] Top 15 Most Popular Global X (Formerly Twitter) Accounts

X (formerly Twitter) remains one of the most influential social media platforms, both in Japan and around the world. As a result, more businesses are integrating X into their global marketing strategies.

But what makes an account gain worldwide popularity on X?

In this article, we explore the top global X accounts across three major categories:

• Celebrities

• Sports

• Brands & Organizations

By analyzing the characteristics of these high-performing accounts, you can gain valuable insights for enhancing your own X strategy.

We’ll also share practical tips on how to attract likes and followers from international audiences, helping you use X more effectively for cross-border engagement and global branding.

[Celebrities] Top 5 Most Popular Global X Accounts

Let’s start with the celebrity category, highlighting some of the most popular X (formerly Twitter) accounts globally.

• Rihanna – @rihanna

• Lady Gaga – @ladygaga

• Selena Gomez – @selenagomez

• Kim Kardashian – @KimKardashian

• Britney Spears – @britneyspears

As you can see, American female pop icons dominate the list.

This trend reflects the fact that X’s core user base is in the United States, and the platform naturally favors English-speaking public figures, making it easier for global audiences to engage.

1. Rihanna: @rihanna

Rihanna, a singer from Barbados in the Caribbean, holds an overwhelming presence on X (formerly Twitter), boasting over 108 million followers.

She rose to fame with her debut single “Pon de Replay” and has since sold more than 250 million albums and singles worldwide.

Interestingly, her posts tend to focus more on fashion and her own product lines rather than music — demonstrating her powerful influence as a global brand ambassador and digital influencer.

2. Lady Gaga: @ladygaga

Lady Gaga, who is also well known in Japan, has amassed over 80 million followers on X (formerly Twitter).

While one might expect her feed to be filled with the bold and eccentric content she’s famous for, her account also features thoughtful posts on social issues — such as reposts commemorating the emancipation of Black slaves — highlighting her role as a socially conscious public figure as well as an entertainer.

3. Selena Gomez: @selenagomez

Selena Gomez, with over 60 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), rose to stardom through the hit Disney series Wizards of Waverly Place.

She later entered the fashion industry as an entrepreneur, expanding her presence beyond entertainment.

Her account frequently features posts about her film and media projects, making her a strong example of how X can be used as a commercial platform for personal branding and business promotion.

4. Kim Kardashian: @KimKardashian

Kim Kardashian, with an impressive 70 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), comes from the well-known Kardashian family — a household name in American pop culture.

In the U.S., she is recognized not only as a celebrity but also as a mother of four, often sharing content that features her children.

Her ability to connect her personal life with her online presence offers valuable insight into building engagement through relatable, real-life content — making her account a useful reference for social media strategy.

5. Britney Spears: @britneyspears

Known affectionately in Japan as “Buri-chan,” Britney Spears is a globally recognized American pop star.

Her X (formerly Twitter) account regularly features promotions for her autobiography and related merchandise, making it a valuable example of how celebrities can integrate social media into broader marketing campaigns.

Her use of the platform highlights effective strategies for direct-to-audience promotion through personal branding.

[Sports] Top 5 Most Popular Global X Accounts

Next, let’s take a look at the most popular X accounts in the sports category.

• Cristiano Ronaldo – @Cristiano

• Neymar Jr – @neymarjr

• LeBron James – @KingJames

• Virat Kohli – @imVkohli

• Serena Williams – @serenawilliams

Unlike the celebrity category, this list is male-dominated and heavily skewed toward European-based athletes.

This trend reflects the global popularity of male-dominated sports like football (soccer) and cricket — many of which have strong roots in Europe and continue to dominate international fan engagement.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo: @Cristiano

Cristiano Ronaldo, affectionately known as “C. Ronaldo” or “CR7” in Japan, boasts over 100 million followers on X, a number that rivals top celebrities and world leaders.

As of June 2024, with the UEFA European Championship (EURO) underway, his posts primarily feature tournament-related photos.

Outside of major events, Ronaldo frequently shares content featuring his teammates and family, giving his account a friendly and approachable tone that resonates with fans worldwide.

2. Neymar Jr: @neymarjr

   
   

Neymar Jr. is known for his humorous and playful posts, reflecting his vibrant Brazilian personality.

While many of his posts highlight his career as a professional footballer, he often mixes in lighthearted content that showcases his authentic character and relatability — a key element in building a strong personal brand on social media.

3. Lebron James: @KingJames

LeBron James, one of the biggest stars in basketball, has amassed over 50 million followers on X.

His account goes beyond basketball — featuring retweets and comments on soccer, American football, and current events — offering a glimpse into his broad personal interests and making him more relatable to a diverse global audience.

4. Virat Kohli: @imVkohli

   
   

While relatively unknown in Japan, Virat Kohli is one of the world’s top cricket superstars, with over 60 million followers on X (formerly Twitter).

His account features a high volume of commercial and promotional posts, clearly showcasing the power of athlete-driven influence in the global sports marketing landscape.

5. Serena Williams: @serenawilliams

Serena Williams, one of the most iconic female athletes in the world, has over 10 million followers on X (formerly Twitter).

She actively uses the platform to share a variety of content — text posts, photos, and videos — positioning her account as a space where followers can get to know her on a personal level, making it a strong example of authentic athlete engagement on social media.

[Brands & Organizations] Top 5 Most Popular Global X Accounts

It’s not only individuals who dominate the conversation on X — companies and organizations also play a powerful role in shaping public perception and engaging audiences worldwide.

How these brands manage their X presence can offer valuable lessons in corporate communication, branding, and digital engagement.

Here are five of the most prominent institutional accounts on the platform:

• NASA – @NASA

• CNN – @CNN

• ESPN – @ESPN

• Google – @Google

• Tesla – @Tesla

These accounts belong to some of America’s most influential public and private organizations, and each offers unique insights into high-impact social media strategy.

1. NASA: @NASA

NASA, the renowned U.S. space agency, has amassed over 80 million followers on X.

Its posts — often featuring striking, awe-inspiring images of space — tap into humanity’s natural curiosity about the universe. This visual storytelling approach consistently drives high engagement, demonstrating the power of leveraging emotional appeal and scientific wonder in content strategy.

2. CNN

CNN, one of the leading news channels in the U.S., primarily posts about breaking news and global current events.

By covering high-interest topics — such as the U.S. presidential elections and other major international developments — CNN consistently delivers timely, valuable content to its followers, earning strong engagement through its role as a trusted real-time information source.

3. ESPN

ESPN, a globally recognized sports media outlet, focuses primarily on sports that are popular within the U.S., such as American football, basketball, and baseball.

ESPN’s approach highlights the importance of localizing content to match regional audience interests, making it a strong example of how tailoring social media strategy to cultural preferences can drive deeper engagement.

4. Google: @Google

   
   

The official X account of global tech giant Google takes a horizontal content approach by reposting from its wide network of specialized brand accounts.

This includes accounts like Google for Startups, which focuses on entrepreneurial resources, and Google DeepMind, which covers cutting-edge AI research.

By strategically leveraging its diverse portfolio of sub-brands, Google maximizes its influence across multiple sectors while maintaining cohesive brand communication.

5. Tesla: @Tesla

Tesla, led by Elon Musk, actively posts content related to its products and innovations.

Beyond showcasing vehicle photos, Tesla often shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of its manufacturing process, offering a transparent view into its operations. This approach helps build a strong community of brand loyalists, making it a compelling example of authenticity-driven social media strategy.

How to Gain Follows and Likes from International X Users

When managing an X account for an international audience, it’s essential to implement strategies that actively drive engagement — specifically, encouraging users to follow and like your content.

Among these, the most effective tactic is to create an account specifically tailored to international users.

If your posts for Japanese and global audiences are mixed, engagement often drops, as users may find the content less relevant.

Since engagement is a key ranking factor in X’s algorithm, focusing your account on international content helps improve the quality of interactions — likes, retweets, replies — which in turn boosts visibility.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to manage your X (formerly Twitter) presence for an international audience, analyzing the strategies of popular global accounts can offer valuable insights.

However, it’s important to recognize that overseas social media management requires more than just best practices — it also involves tackling language barriers, localization strategies, and other specialized areas of expertise.

At The Digital X, we support global social media operations across 10+ languages, providing guidance from experienced professionals with a proven track record in international digital marketing.

If you’re interested in expanding your global reach through X or other platforms, we invite you to take a look at our service catalog.