Twitter, FB, Instagram: The most INFLUENTIAL stars online

Website Zimbio.com recently posted a list of the the 50 Most Influential Celebrities Online -- famous faces who've used social networking to reach out to millions of fans worldwide. We bring you the top 20.

In the past few years, social networking websites have taken on the role of a most effective marketing tool -- one that reaches out to Internet users across the globe.

And when it comes to celebrities, who are known to pump millions into their PR machinery to churn out publicity, these portals are truly a boon; they cost nothing to use, they allow personal interactions with fans and attract free press.

Now website Zimbio.com has conducted a survey to determine which stars are the most powerful in cyberspace. Examining the statistics of 160 prominent personalities' individual social networking accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google , and YouTube, they've come up with the 50 Most Influential Celebrities Online.

Here are the top 20!

1. Rihanna

The Barbadian songstress takes the top spot on the list, because she has no qualms sharing much of her private life online -- RiRi wears her heart on her sleeve and not much in photographs!

Stats

On Facebook: 73,425,503 likes and counting
On Twitter: 30,383,016 followers and counting
On Instagram: 8,044,138 followers and counting

The young pop sensation's tween fans or Beliebers, as they are known, worship the very ground he walks on, so it's hardly surprising that he comes in second.

Stats

On Facebook: 55,307,794 likes and counting
On Twitter: 41,393,862 followers and counting
On Instagram: 9,516,981 followers and counting

The eccentric popster's online activity has lessened considerably in the past few months, but her faithful fans or Little Monsters, as she lovingly refers to them, have ensured that her presence online remains as powerful as ever.

Stats

On Facebook: 58,056,131 likes and counting
On Twitter: 38,947,743 followers and counting
On Instagram: 1,069,734 followers and counting

Curvy Katy doesn't overshare like some of the other celebs on this list, posting just enough to keep fans pleased. What's more, she only just signed up to Instagram last month, so while her numbers for the photo-sharing service aren't radical, her Facebook and Twitter figures are through the roof.

Stats

On Facebook: 54,972,396 likes and counting
On Twitter: 38,849,492 followers and counting
On Instagram: 74,764 followers and counting

The Colombian hipshaker, in at five, has the most popular bilingual Facebook page according to Zimbio and likes communicating important announcements directly to her fans.

Stats

On Facebook: 66,398,253 likes and counting
On Twitter: 21,192,604 followers and counting
On Instagram: 489,780 followers and counting

The country singer currently has Twitter's fastest-growing account -- an average of 37,000 new followers per day! For now she's at six, but it certainly looks like Taylor will be moving up the ranks in a few months' time.

Stats

On Facebook: 45,003,578 likes and counting
On Twitter: 30,292,169 followers and counting
On Instagram: 5,642,748 followers and counting

Britney uses her social networking accounts for mainly work-related announcements; family photos and witty one-liners are occasional, but fans are eager for practically anything coming from her!

Stats

On Facebook: 27,843,045 likes and counting
On Twitter: 28,920,300 followers and counting
On Instagram: 1,142,396 followers and counting

The heavily tattooed rapper doesn't seem to have an Instagram account, but that hasn't stopped him from claiming eighth position. He usually tweets about his music, favourite designerwear and sports, which he follows with a passion.

Stats

On Facebook: 46,211,433 likes and counting
On Twitter: 12,323,562 followers and counting

Ronaldo is one of few European footballers to enjoy international fame; he has Facebook's fourth-largest fanbase and uses his networking accounts strategically, as publicity tools.

Stats

On Facebook: 58,950,483 likes and counting
On Twitter: 19,499,969 followers and counting
On Instagram: 1,332,680 followers and counting

Through his posts, Timberlake offers an insight into his witty personality without letting on anything regarding his private life -- and it seems to work. He enjoys immense popularity online and rounds off the top 10.

Stats

On Facebook: 24,097,937 likes and counting
On Twitter: 22,435,813 followers and counting
On Instagram: 1,183,921 followers and counting

The moody rapper's posts are rather sporadic and he doesn't follow anyone himself, but still has nearly 15 million followers on Twitter. That's Eminem for you!

Stats

On Facebook: 72,662,608 likes and counting
On Twitter: 14,992,880 followers and counting
On Instagram: 232,418 followers and counting

Feisty Nicki is very active online and outspoken too, never shying away from using colourful language or sudden personal outbursts. Her fans or 'Barbz', as she calls them, see her to twelfth spot.

Stats

On Facebook: 31,464,232 likes and counting
On Twitter: 16,734,197 followers and counting

The diminutive musician lets his charm shine through online and fans can't seem to get enough of him -- and even Mars' dog Geronimo has his own Twitter account!

Stats

On Facebook: 37,575,383 likes and counting
On Twitter: 16,445,636 followers and counting
On Instagram: 876,603 followers and counting

Bieber's ex is not quite as popular as him online; in fact, she received a lot of flack from his adoring Twitter fans when they started dating, but Selena's Internet fan base is now going places and she has her own army of well-wishers.

Stats

On Facebook: 44,191,264 likes and counting
On Twitter: 15,651,443 followers and counting

In at 15 we have the inimitable talk show host and comedian, who keeps Twitter followers in splits with her amusing posts and pics. While DeGeneres doesn't have a verified Facebook page, it's worth noting that even the unofficial one has a staggering 4,085,879 likes and keeps growing!

Stats

On Twitter: 20,402,676 followers and counting

The erstwhile Dogg is now a cool cat! Snoop loves interacting with fans online and his social networking accounts offer an unabashed window view of his high-flying lifestyle.

Stats

On Facebook: 26,357,972 likes and counting
On Twitter: 10,823,399 followers and counting
On Instagram: 1,958,371 followers and counting

JLo's is the eleventh most popular Twitter account and she joined Instagram only in May, but already has nearly 200,000 followers.

Stats

On Facebook: 23,785,316 likes and counting
On Twitter: 20,514,567 followers and counting
On Instagram: 181,875 followers and counting

The songstress who once fiercely protected her privacy has become increasingly active, offering her online audiences the occasional insight into her life via social networking. For the most part, however, Bey's accounts are meant to build upon her career, brand and business empire.

Stats

On Facebook: 48,924,625 likes and counting
On Twitter: 9,607,063 followers and counting
On Instagram: 4,739,864 followers and counting

Avril keeps fans informed about her music and career via her accounts. Throw some attractive pics into the mix and you have a winner that makes it to 19 on Zimbio's list.

Stats

On Facebook: 43,172,073 likes and counting
On Twitter: 11,582,347 followers and counting
On Instagram: 180,032 followers and counting

And at 20 we have the rapper who keeps his popularity soaring with his accessibility online; Drake is known to re-tweet fans' posts often, which is probably why they enjoy following him.

Stats

On Facebook: 29,552,301 likes and counting
On Twitter: 11,399,388 followers and counting
On Instagram: 2,419,152 followers and counting

Here are the rest of the 50 Most Influential Celebrities Online:

21. Oprah Winfrey
22. Chris Brown
23. Mariah Carey
24. Alicia Keys
25. Adele
26. 50 Cent
27. David Guetta
28. Wiz Khalifa
29. Kim Kardashian
30. LeBron James
31. Bill Gates
32. Ashton Kutcher
33. Ludacris
34. will.i.am
35. Christina Aguilera
36. Miley Cyrus
37. Trey Songz
38. Ashley Tisdale
39. Demi Lovato
40. Ricky Martin
41. Jessie J
42. Kelly Clarkson
43. Kanye West
44. Paris Hilton
45. Victoria Justice
46. Enrique Iglesias
47. Pink
48. Pitbull
49. Dwayne Johnson
50. Emma Watson