Move over Kim Kardashian: Taylor Swift now Instagram's most popular user

By Tiffany Ap, for CNN

Updated 8:37 AM ET, Fri September 11, 2015

Taylor Swift is often willing to confide in fans, a characteristic that has made her one of the most popular singers in the world. "I think for me it feels very natural to talk to teenagers and people my age ... about feelings and what they're going through and their insecurities," she told "Access Hollywood." Click through the gallery for other noteworthy quotes from the Grammy-winning singer.
Photos: Quoted: Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is often willing to confide in fans, a characteristic that has made her one of the most popular singers in the world. "I think for me it feels very natural to talk to teenagers and people my age ... about feelings and what they're going through and their insecurities," she told "Access Hollywood." Click through the gallery for other noteworthy quotes from the Grammy-winning singer.
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In a blog post in April 2015, Swift said: "The results came in, and I'm saddened to tell you that my mom has been diagnosed with cancer. I'd like to keep the details of her condition and treatment plans private, but she wanted you to know." Here Swift and her mom, Andrea Swift, walk in New York City in 2014.
Photos: Quoted: Taylor Swift
In a blog post in April 2015, Swift said: "The results came in, and I'm saddened to tell you that my mom has been diagnosed with cancer. I'd like to keep the details of her condition and treatment plans private, but she wanted you to know." Here Swift and her mom, Andrea Swift, walk in New York City in 2014.
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"I think who you are in school really sticks with you. I don't ever feel like the cool kid at the party, ever. It's like, smile and be nice to everybody, because you were not invited to be here." -- Vogue, 2012
Photos: Quoted: Taylor Swift
On identity – "I think who you are in school really sticks with you. I don't ever feel like the cool kid at the party, ever. It's like, smile and be nice to everybody, because you were not invited to be here." -- Vogue, 2012
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"I've had countless opportunities to do some really bad things. And then people start combing through everything that I do trying to find the next mistake and misperception, which leads to more scrutiny." -- Elle, 2010
Photos: Quoted: Taylor Swift
On celebrity – "I've had countless opportunities to do some really bad things. And then people start combing through everything that I do trying to find the next mistake and misperception, which leads to more scrutiny." -- Elle, 2010
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"For me, rebelling is done with words: I love to write honest songs that name real people, then get up onstage and live out those emotions in front of 15,000 people. Penciling in a night to get wasted is not something I want to do." -- Glamour, 2009
Photos: Quoted: Taylor Swift
On rebellion – "For me, rebelling is done with words: I love to write honest songs that name real people, then get up onstage and live out those emotions in front of 15,000 people. Penciling in a night to get wasted is not something I want to do." -- Glamour, 2009
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"I love having a goal, feeling like I'm on a mission. I love trying to beat what I've done so far." -- Marie Claire, 2010
Photos: Quoted: Taylor Swift
On ambition – "I love having a goal, feeling like I'm on a mission. I love trying to beat what I've done so far." -- Marie Claire, 2010
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"I'll just be sitting back and growing old, watching all of this happen or not happen, all the while trying to maintain a life rooted in this same optimism. And I'd also like a nice garden." -- Wall Street Journal, July 2014
Photos: Quoted: Taylor Swift
On her future – "I'll just be sitting back and growing old, watching all of this happen or not happen, all the while trying to maintain a life rooted in this same optimism. And I'd also like a nice garden." -- Wall Street Journal, July 2014
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"I've never been a party girl. I'd rather sit at home and bake on a Friday night than go to parties." -- The Washington Post, 2008
Photos: Quoted: Taylor Swift
On nightlife – "I've never been a party girl. I'd rather sit at home and bake on a Friday night than go to parties." -- The Washington Post, 2008
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"I'm the kind of girl who needs to tell her friends everything. I've developed this really close-knit group of girls. ... I met Emma (Stone, pictured) when I was 17, and I met Selena (Gomez) when I was 18. ... Somehow through all of it, we've stayed close. " -- Glamour, 2012
Photos: Quoted: Taylor Swift
On friendship – "I'm the kind of girl who needs to tell her friends everything. I've developed this really close-knit group of girls. ... I met Emma (Stone, pictured) when I was 17, and I met Selena (Gomez) when I was 18. ... Somehow through all of it, we've stayed close. " -- Glamour, 2012
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"I definitely think about a million people when I'm getting dressed in the morning. (It) would be really easy to say, 'You know, I'm 21 now. I do what I want. You raise your kids.' But that's not the truth of it. The truth of it is that every singer out there with songs on the radio is raising the next generation." -- "60 Minutes," 2011
Photos: Quoted: Taylor Swift
On being a role model – "I definitely think about a million people when I'm getting dressed in the morning. (It) would be really easy to say, 'You know, I'm 21 now. I do what I want. You raise your kids.' But that's not the truth of it. The truth of it is that every singer out there with songs on the radio is raising the next generation." -- "60 Minutes," 2011
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"People make so much fun of me for that, but I don't know. It's like, if you win an award, isn't that crazy? ... I try to be (blase), but it's hard when you get excited about stuff." -- "Nightline," October 2012
Photos: Quoted: Taylor Swift
On why she always looks so surprised – "People make so much fun of me for that, but I don't know. It's like, if you win an award, isn't that crazy? ... I try to be (blase), but it's hard when you get excited about stuff." -- "Nightline," October 2012
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"To me, relaxation equals a shirt with a bunch of cats." -- Twitter, 2011
Photos: Quoted: Taylor Swift
On taking time off – "To me, relaxation equals a shirt with a bunch of cats." -- Twitter, 2011
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"It's fine to talk about love publicly, but I think when you talk about virginity and sex publicly, people just automatically picture you naked." -- Allure, 2009
Photos: Quoted: Taylor Swift
On (not) talking about sex – "It's fine to talk about love publicly, but I think when you talk about virginity and sex publicly, people just automatically picture you naked." -- Allure, 2009
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"I make sure I only write bad songs about the (guys) who deserve it." -- Glamour, 2010.
Photos: Quoted: Taylor Swift
On getting inspiration from her love life – "I make sure I only write bad songs about the (guys) who deserve it." -- Glamour, 2010.
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"People are going to talk about you. But maybe you're having more fun than them anyway." -- People, October 2014
Photos: Quoted: Taylor Swift
On gossip – "People are going to talk about you. But maybe you're having more fun than them anyway." -- People, October 2014
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Story highlights

  • Swift boasts 45.9 million Instagram followers
  • She overtook Kim Kardashian on Wednesday
  • Swift's shots of celebrity BFFs and goofing off are a winning combination

(CNN)She can make Apple bend to her will and has seven Grammys under her belt. Now Taylor Swift can add yet another accolade to that list: Queen of Instagram.

On Wednesday, the singer usurped Kim Kardashian as the social network's most popular user. At the time of writing, Swift boasts 45.9 million followers to Mrs. Kanye West's 45.7 million.
    It's an impressive feat considering that Swift has only posted 689 times, compared to Kardashian's more than 3,000 posts, and is a testament to the 25-year-old's star power.

      Goofy cats, sweaters over sexy selfies

        What is it about Swift's posts that makes them catnip to Instagram users?
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        It might be the neverending parade of famous friends like Selena Gomez, Justin Timberlake, Ellen Degeneres, John Legend, and rumored boyfriend Calvin Harris.

          ALL OF ME. JOHN LEGEND. ALL THE FEELS.

          A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on

          Ellen Degeneres, the pop princess.

          A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on

          💕just look at these two.

          A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on

          But some of Swift's most liked photos are ones where the star isn't afraid to get goofy.
          Like this one of her posing with a cat, a perennial favorite Internet topic, which got over 2.1 million likes

          Meerkat Manor.

          A photo posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on

          Or a photo of her wearing a fan-knitted sweater with her face on it.
          That's in comparison to Kardashian's overtly sexy brand of selfies that offer up a glamorous-looking veneer.

          We rehearsed some looks for #TheMasterClass today! See you next Saturday! Don't forget to sign up MarioandKim.com

          A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on

          #TBT to my blonde hair & my @premadonna87 waist trainer @waistgangsociety! I don't know what I miss more! LOL

          A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on

          Not that Kim Kardashian is in want of celebrity pals. This week, the reality TV star met up with Serena Williams for tea during a U.S. Open break and much of the Kardashian family are becoming stars in their own right.
            Caitlyn Jenner has been hailed as an important figure for transgender people. Sister Kendall Jenner is model of the moment, racking up the most number of likes for a single Instagram picture and Kylie Jenner is the most viewed person on Snapchat.

            Sipping & spilling the tea tonight with Serena ☕️🐸

            A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on

            The great Cait

            A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on

            Hipster Barbie mocks Instagram users