Ever wondered who the most influential doctors on Instagram are? More medical professionals are taking to social media to build their profiles.
Comparethemarket.com.au analyzed the social media followings of some of the most beloved medical professionals on Instagram. They estimated how much these influential doctors could be earning per sponsored post on Instagram. This is what they found.
The top ten most popular doctors are:
Infographic courtesy of comparethemarket.com.au
The Top 5 most influential doctors on Instagram
1. Dr. Sandra Lee aka Dr. Pimple Popper
Instagram followers – 3,984,370
Estimated earnings per sponsored post – $13,219
In 2015, Dr. Lee started an Instagram account to give people a window into her world as a dermatologist. She realized that her field of medicine is very visual. Dr.Lee felt that it would be interesting to show people what she sees on a daily basis. And while she had a hunch that people would find it interesting, she was taken aback at the enormous interest shown. Millions of people now watch her “popping” videos,
Popping pimples
Dr. Pimple Popper has posted thousands of videos across many other social media channels, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. The content isn’t solely graphic dissections of lipomas and cysts. She also shows procedures such as MOHS surgery and Botox . As well as keloid removals, ear surgeries, and blackhead extractions.
Her feed, which showcases videos of her popping pimples and removing cysts, isn’t for the faint of heart. However it’s earned Dr Lee almost four million followers and even her own TV show.
2. Dr Mike
Instagram followers – 3,846,038
Estimated earnings per sponsored post – $12,749
Doctor Mike (aka Mikhail Varshavski) isn’t just a New York-based family physician. He was voted People magazine’s ‘Sexiest Doctor Alive’ for 2015. This doctor has 3.8 million followers on Instagram!
According to The List .com “Doctor Mike’s huge Instagram following brought more attention to his account than just people who were intrigued with his life. In 2015, Buzzfeed published an article called “Um, You Really Need To See This Hot Doctor And His Dog” and — you guessed it — that “hot doctor” was Doctor Mike. For him, the attention wasn’t exactly what he had hoped for as he explained. “As a doctor you want to be known for being the youngest doctor in the hospital, publishing research, that I had Encyclopedia articles written by myself — and what I was known for was a hot doctor.”
Doctor Mike also has his own successful YouTube channel.
3. Dr. Miami
Instagram followers – 1,599,5128
Estimated earnings per sponsored post – $5,296
Dr Miami (or Michael Salzhauer) is a plastic surgeon in Miami, United States. He gained fame for his graphic video posts of procedures such as butt lifts, liposuction and breast surgeries. These videos have earned him more than 1.5 million followers. Fans watch livestream tummy tucks and Brazilian butt lifts from his OR. He has also appeared on reality shows like Teen Mom and Love & Hip Hop, as well as music videos. Dr Miami is known as the hip-hop shorthand for plastic surgery.
Dr. Miami has worked with numerous celebrity clients over the years and, along with having his own TV show, he’s even written his own children’s book and recorded a hit song!
4. Dr. Alex George
Instagram followers – 1,504,235
Estimated earnings per sponsored post – $4,986
Dr. Alex rose to fame on TV’s Love Island in 2018. However, at the same time he has been a working doctor for the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS). This young doctor is very popular on social media.
Cosmopolitan.com reported recently, “Love Island’s Dr Alex George has announced a major career change as he leaves his role in A&E after five years. The former Islander, who appeared on the show in 2018 alongside the likes of Dani Dyer and Wes Nelson, told his 1.5 million Instagram fans that he was going to leave his current job behind to start a “fresh chapter”.
Over on his YouTube channel he revealed he will be training as a GP.
5. Dr. Phil
Instagram followers – 1,240,193
Estimated earnings per sponsored post – $4,109
Perhaps the original “medical influencer’ is Dr. Phil McGraw. He has been a household name in the US for over 20 years as host of his own advice show.
Dr. Phil is one of the most well-known and trusted mental health professionals in the world. This doctor hosts a #1 daytime talk show, Dr. Phil. Now in its 19th season. The show continues to provide the most comprehensive forum on mental health issues in the history of television. Dr. McGraw has a unique ability to take complicated and technical information and make it accessible and understandable to the general public. Dr. McGraw presents compelling stories about real people with a variety of emotional and behavioral problems. He has stripped away the shame and embarrassment that too often keeps people from seeking help. Dr. McGraw has signed a multiyear deal with CBS Television Distribution to continue his eponymous show through 2023.
Final thoughts
Increasingly doctors are taking to social media to build their profiles and earn additional income. However, this survey does not include all social media. The comparethemarket.com survey only looked at Instagram.
Infographic courtesy of comparethemarket.com.au
Research Methodology Used
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