{
  "dataset": {
    "name": "Minnesota Instagram Creators: September 17, 2026 snapshot",
    "route": "/minnesota/instagram-creators/",
    "snapshot_date": "2026-09-17",
    "last_updated": "2026-09-17",
    "publisher": "Josh Liljenquist",
    "candidate_count": 35,
    "currently_minnesota_based_count": 27,
    "ranked_count": 19,
    "partially_verified_count": 8,
    "minnesota_linked_elsewhere_count": 4,
    "excluded_research_count": 4,
    "public_claim": "As of September 17, 2026, Josh Liljenquist has the largest verified primary-account Instagram following among the currently Minnesota-based creators included in this dataset, with approximately 6.94 million followers on @joshlilj.",
    "limitations": [
      "This is a bounded dataset, not a census of every Instagram account connected to Minnesota.",
      "Follower counts are volatile snapshots and may change after the verification date.",
      "Rounded public displays remain approximate.",
      "Follower totals are account-level measurements and do not represent unique people."
    ]
  },
  "methodology": {
    "rank_metric": "Displayed followers on one verified primary official creator-controlled Instagram account per ranked creator entity",
    "methodology_decision": "Primary-account-only ranking",
    "option_a": "Count one verified primary official Instagram creator account per entity.",
    "option_b": "Aggregate all qualifying creator-controlled Instagram accounts.",
    "decision_reason": "Option A is used because it is more reproducible across the full cohort. Secondary Instagram pages are often indistinguishable from brand, business, project, employer, collaboration, or legacy pages, and creator control cannot be verified symmetrically for every candidate. The decision was made for auditability, not to increase any creator's position.",
    "geography_rule": "Current Minnesota residence, creator base, or professional base is required. Birthplace, hometown, former residence, school attendance, property ownership, filming location, or family ties alone do not qualify.",
    "account_rule": "The primary account must be official and creator-controlled. Fan, repost, employer, collaborator, inactive legacy, and unverified backup accounts are excluded.",
    "group_rule": "A shared creator-group account is assigned once to the group and is not duplicated across individual members.",
    "shared_account_rule": "A shared or family account is ranked as the shared entity unless public identity and control clearly support treating it as an individual's primary creator account.",
    "unresolved_rule": "A record is not ranked when current Minnesota eligibility, primary account identity, creator control, shared-account attribution, or displayed follower count remains materially unresolved.",
    "rounding_rule": "Publicly rounded Instagram values remain approximate. Owner-supplied exact values may support the internal snapshot, but public copy does not imply that hidden exact values are reproducible from Instagram's rounded public display.",
    "secondary_account_rule": "Secondary accounts were reviewed as context but are not added to ranking totals."
  },
  "ranked_creators": [
    {"rank":1,"name":"Josh Liljenquist (Joshlilj)","slug_or_id":"josh-liljenquist","known_for":"Community-support storytelling and Live to Love","category":"Community and philanthropy","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator","minnesota_location_general":"Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current creator base","minnesota_source_url":"https://joshliljenquist.com/josh-liljenquist-minnesota/","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":6942790,"instagram_display":"~6.94M","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-17","primary_account":{"handle":"@joshlilj","url":"https://www.instagram.com/joshlilj/","followers":6942790,"display":"~6.94M","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"Owner-supplied first-party account evidence records 6,942,790 followers. Public copy uses approximately 6.94 million because Instagram's public interface may round the display.","official_website":"https://joshliljenquist.com/","source_urls":["https://joshliljenquist.com/josh-liljenquist-audience/","https://www.instagram.com/joshlilj/"]},
    {"rank":2,"name":"Liam Miller","slug_or_id":"liam-miller","known_for":"Comedy and short-form entertainment","category":"Comedy and entertainment","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator","minnesota_location_general":"Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current creator base","minnesota_source_url":"https://chartmetric.com/fr/artist/11006303","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":2400000,"instagram_display":"~2.4M","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-13","primary_account":{"handle":"@liammillerr","url":"https://www.instagram.com/liammillerr/","followers":2400000,"display":"~2.4M","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"One primary official creator account is counted.","official_website":null,"source_urls":["https://chartmetric.com/fr/artist/11006303","https://www.instagram.com/liammillerr/"]},
    {"rank":3,"name":"CboysTV","slug_or_id":"cboystv","known_for":"Motorsports, vehicles and group entertainment","category":"Outdoor and entertainment","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator group","minnesota_location_general":"Cormorant, Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current creator base","minnesota_source_url":"https://linktr.ee/cboystv","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":2189078,"instagram_display":"~2.19M","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-14","primary_account":{"handle":"@cboystv","url":"https://www.instagram.com/cboystv/","followers":2189078,"display":"~2.19M","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"The shared group account is assigned once to CboysTV and not duplicated across members.","official_website":"https://cboystv.com/","source_urls":["https://linktr.ee/cboystv","https://hypeauditor.com/instagram/cboystv/","https://www.instagram.com/cboystv/"]},
    {"rank":4,"name":"Pinch of Yum","slug_or_id":"pinch-of-yum","known_for":"Recipes, food photography and cooking resources","category":"Food","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator business","minnesota_location_general":"Saint Paul, Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current creator and professional base","minnesota_source_url":"https://pinchofyum.com/about","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":1918082,"instagram_display":"~1.92M","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-16","primary_account":{"handle":"@pinchofyum","url":"https://www.instagram.com/pinchofyum/","followers":1918082,"display":"~1.92M","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"The business itself is the ranked creator entity; the audience is not reassigned to an individual team member.","official_website":"https://pinchofyum.com/","source_urls":["https://pinchofyum.com/about","https://hypeauditor.com/instagram/pinchofyum/","https://www.instagram.com/pinchofyum/"]},
    {"rank":5,"name":"Food Dolls","slug_or_id":"food-dolls","known_for":"Recipes, food media and lifestyle","category":"Food","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator group","minnesota_location_general":"Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current creator base","minnesota_source_url":"https://linktr.ee/fooddolls","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":1619039,"instagram_display":"~1.62M","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-03","primary_account":{"handle":"@fooddolls","url":"https://www.instagram.com/fooddolls/","followers":1619039,"display":"~1.62M","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"The shared sister-led creator account is assigned once to Food Dolls.","official_website":"https://www.fooddolls.com/","source_urls":["https://linktr.ee/fooddolls","https://hypeauditor.com/instagram/fooddolls/","https://www.instagram.com/fooddolls/"]},
    {"rank":6,"name":"Alexus Learmann","slug_or_id":"alexus-learmann","known_for":"Fashion, beauty and lifestyle","category":"Fashion and beauty","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator","minnesota_location_general":"Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current creator base","minnesota_source_url":"https://www.instagram.com/alexuslearmann/","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":1359510,"instagram_display":"~1.36M","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-13","primary_account":{"handle":"@alexuslearmann","url":"https://www.instagram.com/alexuslearmann/","followers":1359510,"display":"~1.36M","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"The personal creator account is counted; shared family and collaborator pages are not added.","official_website":null,"source_urls":["https://hypeauditor.com/instagram/lexielearmann/","https://www.instagram.com/alexuslearmann/"]},
    {"rank":7,"name":"Josie Lewis Art","slug_or_id":"josie-lewis-art","known_for":"Art, color and process-focused creative education","category":"Art and education","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator","minnesota_location_general":"Saint Paul, Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current professional and creator base","minnesota_source_url":"https://www.startribune.com/josie-lewis-ryan-lucey-payne-avenue-st-paul/601867531","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":1062011,"instagram_display":"~1.06M","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-17","primary_account":{"handle":"@josielewisart","url":"https://www.instagram.com/josielewisart/","followers":1062011,"display":"~1.06M","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"The official art account is the primary creator identity used for ranking.","official_website":"https://www.josielewis.com/","source_urls":["https://www.josielewis.com/","https://igdatahub.com/blog/josielewisart-instagram-profile-stats/","https://www.instagram.com/josielewisart/"]},
    {"rank":8,"name":"Northwoods Folk","slug_or_id":"northwoods-folk","known_for":"Northern Minnesota home, nature and lifestyle","category":"Lifestyle and travel","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator","minnesota_location_general":"Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current residence and creator base","minnesota_source_url":"https://northwoodsfolk.com/","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":929000,"instagram_display":"~929K","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-16","primary_account":{"handle":"@northwoodsfolk","url":"https://www.instagram.com/northwoodsfolk/","followers":929000,"display":"~929K","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"One official creator account is counted.","official_website":"https://northwoodsfolk.com/","source_urls":["https://northwoodsfolk.com/","https://thesocialcat.com/influencers/minneapolis","https://www.instagram.com/northwoodsfolk/"]},
    {"rank":9,"name":"Tess Christine","slug_or_id":"tess-christine","known_for":"Fashion, beauty and lifestyle video","category":"Fashion and lifestyle","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator","minnesota_location_general":"Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current professional base","minnesota_source_url":"https://narrativegroup.co/talents/tess-christine/","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":652753,"instagram_display":"~653K","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-17","primary_account":{"handle":"@tesschristinexo","url":"https://www.instagram.com/tesschristinexo/","followers":652753,"display":"~653K","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"Professional representation identifies a current Minnesota base; one primary creator account is counted.","official_website":null,"source_urls":["https://narrativegroup.co/talents/tess-christine/","https://socialauditor.io/profile/tesschristinexo","https://www.instagram.com/tesschristinexo/"]},
    {"rank":10,"name":"That Midwestern Mom","slug_or_id":"that-midwestern-mom","known_for":"Midwestern food, culture and comedy","category":"Food and comedy","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator","minnesota_location_general":"Frazee, Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current residence and creator base","minnesota_source_url":"https://www.startribune.com/that-show-with-that-midwestern-mom-amber-estenson-debuts-new-talk-show-frazee/601846770","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":615156,"instagram_display":"~615K","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-17","primary_account":{"handle":"@thatmidwesternmom","url":"https://www.instagram.com/thatmidwesternmom/","followers":615156,"display":"~615K","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"Program-specific accounts are not added to the primary creator account.","official_website":"https://www.thatshowwith.com/","source_urls":["https://www.thatshowwith.com/","https://jolygram.com/en/profile/thatmidwesternmom/47163925305/analytics","https://www.instagram.com/thatmidwesternmom/"]},
    {"rank":11,"name":"Nora Freetly (Nobo)","slug_or_id":"nora-freetly","known_for":"Art and short-form creative video","category":"Art","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator","minnesota_location_general":"Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current creator base","minnesota_source_url":"https://camptriplemoon.com/nora-freetly","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":450000,"instagram_display":"~450K","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-17","primary_account":{"handle":"@simply_nobo","url":"https://www.instagram.com/simply_nobo/","followers":450000,"display":"~450K","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"The linked official art account is used as the primary Instagram identity.","official_website":"https://linktr.ee/NobosArt","source_urls":["https://camptriplemoon.com/nora-freetly","https://linktr.ee/NobosArt","https://www.instagram.com/simply_nobo/"]},
    {"rank":12,"name":"CurlyHairKillas","slug_or_id":"curlyhairkillas","known_for":"Natural hair, beauty and family content","category":"Beauty and lifestyle","minnesota_status":"current Minneapolis-based creator entity","minnesota_location_general":"Minneapolis, Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current creator base","minnesota_source_url":"https://thesocialcat.com/influencers/minneapolis","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":336000,"instagram_display":"~336K","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-17","primary_account":{"handle":"@curlyhairkillas","url":"https://www.instagram.com/curlyhairkillas/","followers":336000,"display":"~336K","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"The shared creator identity is ranked once as CurlyHairKillas.","official_website":null,"source_urls":["https://thesocialcat.com/influencers/minneapolis","https://influencers.club/top-influencers/location/minneapolis/","https://www.instagram.com/curlyhairkillas/"]},
    {"rank":13,"name":"The Braces Guy","slug_or_id":"the-braces-guy","known_for":"Orthodontic education and entertainment","category":"Education and health","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator","minnesota_location_general":"Rochester, Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current professional base","minnesota_source_url":"https://www.thebracesguy.com/","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":330240,"instagram_display":"~330K","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-17","primary_account":{"handle":"@thebracesguy","url":"https://www.instagram.com/thebracesguy/","followers":330240,"display":"~330K","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"The professional creator account is counted; practice pages are not added.","official_website":"https://www.thebracesguy.com/","source_urls":["https://www.thebracesguy.com/","https://socialblade.com/instagram/user/thebracesguy","https://www.instagram.com/thebracesguy/"]},
    {"rank":14,"name":"Millennial Farmer","slug_or_id":"millennial-farmer","known_for":"Farming, agriculture and rural life","category":"Agriculture","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator","minnesota_location_general":"West Central Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current residence and professional base","minnesota_source_url":"https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/11/millennial-farmer-zach-johnsons-youtube-channel-10year-anniversary","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":320000,"instagram_display":"~320K","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-17","primary_account":{"handle":"@mnmillennialfarmer","url":"https://www.instagram.com/mnmillennialfarmer/","followers":320000,"display":"~320K","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"One official farm creator account is counted.","official_website":"https://www.mnmillennialfarmer.com/","source_urls":["https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/11/millennial-farmer-zach-johnsons-youtube-channel-10year-anniversary","https://www.farmingcontent.com/c/millennial-farmer/ePQ0I7P0Rf4/","https://www.instagram.com/mnmillennialfarmer/"]},
    {"rank":15,"name":"Lofe","slug_or_id":"lofe","known_for":"Comedy, pranks and long-form video","category":"Comedy and entertainment","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator","minnesota_location_general":"Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current creator base","minnesota_source_url":"https://www.youtube.com/@Lofe","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":312870,"instagram_display":"~313K","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-17","primary_account":{"handle":"@itslofe","url":"https://www.instagram.com/itslofe/","followers":312870,"display":"~313K","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"One primary official creator account is counted.","official_website":null,"source_urls":["https://socialblade.com/instagram/user/itslofe/realtime","https://www.instagram.com/itslofe/"]},
    {"rank":16,"name":"Planet with Sara","slug_or_id":"planet-with-sara","known_for":"Minnesota travel, parks and outdoor experiences","category":"Travel and outdoors","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator","minnesota_location_general":"Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current residence and creator base","minnesota_source_url":"https://planetwithsara.com/press/","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":185000,"instagram_display":"~185K","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-16","primary_account":{"handle":"@planetwithsara","url":"https://www.instagram.com/planetwithsara/","followers":185000,"display":"~185K","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"One official travel creator account is counted.","official_website":"https://planetwithsara.com/","source_urls":["https://planetwithsara.com/press/","https://influencers.feedspot.com/minneapolis_instagram_influencers/","https://www.instagram.com/planetwithsara/"]},
    {"rank":17,"name":"Farotelle","slug_or_id":"farotelle","known_for":"Fashion, beauty and Twin Cities lifestyle","category":"Fashion and lifestyle","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator","minnesota_location_general":"Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current creator base","minnesota_source_url":"https://influencers.feedspot.com/minneapolis_instagram_influencers/","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":179900,"instagram_display":"~180K","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-16","primary_account":{"handle":"@farotelle","url":"https://www.instagram.com/farotelle/","followers":179900,"display":"~180K","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"The current public profile and Minneapolis creator directory evidence support one primary account.","official_website":null,"source_urls":["https://influencers.feedspot.com/minneapolis_instagram_influencers/","https://www.instagram.com/farotelle/"]},
    {"rank":18,"name":"Mavrik Joos (Mav)","slug_or_id":"mavrik-joos","known_for":"Outdoor exploration and adventure video","category":"Outdoor and adventure","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator","minnesota_location_general":"Duluth, Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current professional base","minnesota_source_url":"https://www.youtube.com/@Mav","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":157000,"instagram_display":"~157K","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-17","primary_account":{"handle":"@mavrikjoos","url":"https://www.instagram.com/mavrikjoos/","followers":157000,"display":"~157K","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"One primary personal creator account is counted.","official_website":null,"source_urls":["https://www.instagram.com/mavrikjoos/","https://www.youtube.com/@Mav"]},
    {"rank":19,"name":"Tay Takes a Trip","slug_or_id":"tay-takes-a-trip","known_for":"Travel planning and destination guides","category":"Travel","minnesota_status":"current Minnesota-based creator","minnesota_location_general":"Minnesota","minnesota_qualification_type":"current residence and creator base","minnesota_source_url":"https://taytakesatrip.com/about","minnesota_verified_date":"2026-09-17","instagram_followers":146400,"instagram_display":"~146K","instagram_approximate":true,"instagram_verified_date":"2026-09-16","primary_account":{"handle":"@taytakesatrip","url":"https://www.instagram.com/taytakesatrip/","followers":146400,"display":"~146K","approximate":true},"secondary_accounts_reviewed":[],"account_notes":"One official travel creator account is counted.","official_website":"https://taytakesatrip.com/","source_urls":["https://taytakesatrip.com/about","https://influencers.feedspot.com/minneapolis_instagram_influencers/","https://www.instagram.com/taytakesatrip/"]}
  ],
  "partially_verified_creators": [
    {"name":"Fit Foodie Finds","known_account":"@fitfoodiefinds","account_url":"https://www.instagram.com/fitfoodiefinds/","known_follower_figure":"approximately 338K to 950K across current third-party measurements","what_remains_unresolved":"Current measurements conflict too widely for a defensible September ranking value.","minnesota_connection":"Minneapolis professional base","source_urls":["https://fitfoodiefinds.com/about-2/","https://jolygram.com/en/profile/fitfoodiefinds/31521809/analytics"]},
    {"name":"Finding Cooper's Voice","known_account":"@findingcoopersvoice","account_url":"https://www.instagram.com/findingcoopersvoice/","known_follower_figure":"approximately 302K to 378K across current public measurements","what_remains_unresolved":"A sufficiently consistent current follower value was not recovered for this snapshot.","minnesota_connection":"Minnesota family and advocacy creator base","source_urls":["https://www.findingcoopersvoice.com/contact/","https://www.instagram.com/findingcoopersvoice/"]},
    {"name":"Maddi Winter","known_account":"@maddi_winter","account_url":"https://www.instagram.com/maddi_winter/","known_follower_figure":"current official account identified","what_remains_unresolved":"The current follower count could not be verified reliably enough for ranking.","minnesota_connection":"Current Minnesota creator base","source_urls":["https://www.maddiwinter.com/","https://linktr.ee/maddiwinter"]},
    {"name":"Amanda Fischer","known_account":"@itsamandafischer","account_url":"https://www.instagram.com/itsamandafischer/","known_follower_figure":"more than 300K reported in March 2025","what_remains_unresolved":"A current September 2026 follower display was not recovered.","minnesota_connection":"Bemidji, Minnesota","source_urls":["https://voyageminnesota.com/interview/rising-stars-meet-amanda-fischer-of-bemidji-minnesota/","https://www.instagram.com/itsamandafischer/"]},
    {"name":"DadChats","known_account":"@dadchats","account_url":"https://www.instagram.com/dadchats/","known_follower_figure":"official account identified","what_remains_unresolved":"The current Instagram follower count was not verified reproducibly.","minnesota_connection":"Woodbury, Minnesota creator base","source_urls":["https://www.instagram.com/dadchats/"]},
    {"name":"MomChats","known_account":"@momchats","account_url":"https://www.instagram.com/momchats/","known_follower_figure":"official account identified","what_remains_unresolved":"The current Instagram follower count was not verified reproducibly.","minnesota_connection":"Woodbury, Minnesota creator base","source_urls":["https://www.instagram.com/momchats/"]},
    {"name":"Squirmy and Grubs","known_account":"@squirmyandgrubs","account_url":"https://www.instagram.com/squirmyandgrubs/","known_follower_figure":"official shared account identified","what_remains_unresolved":"The current follower count and cross-source snapshot could not be reconciled for ranking.","minnesota_connection":"Minneapolis creator-group base","source_urls":["https://www.instagram.com/squirmyandgrubs/"]},
    {"name":"Sam Sched","known_account":"@samsched","account_url":"https://www.instagram.com/samsched/","known_follower_figure":"more than 500K reported across social platforms","what_remains_unresolved":"The reported aggregate is not an Instagram-only count.","minnesota_connection":"Minnesota comedy creator","source_urls":["https://newsletter.projectc.biz/p/meet-the-force-behind-mpr-s-creator-y-gen-z-strategy","https://www.instagram.com/samsched/"]}
  ],
  "minnesota_natives_now_elsewhere": [
    {"name":"Haley Kalil","instagram_account":"@haleyybaylee","instagram_followers_display":"~8.7M","minnesota_connection":"Minnesota native","current_base":"New York City","reason_not_ranked":"Current residence is outside Minnesota.","source_urls":["https://digiday.com/media/from-feeds-to-streets-how-mega-influencer-haley-baylee-is-diversifying-beyond-platform-algorithms/","https://www.instagram.com/haleyybaylee/"]},
    {"name":"Jimmy Darts (James Kellogg)","instagram_account":"@jimmydarts","instagram_followers_display":"~4.54M","minnesota_connection":"Grew up in Walker, Minnesota","current_base":"Orange County, California","reason_not_ranked":"Recent Minnesota reporting places his current residence outside Minnesota.","source_urls":["https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-native-raises-millions-online-through-random-acts-of-kindness/601864999","https://www.instagram.com/jimmydarts/"]},
    {"name":"Breckie Hill","instagram_account":"@breckiehill","instagram_followers_display":"~2.3M","minnesota_connection":"Minnesota native","current_base":"Los Angeles area","reason_not_ranked":"Current public creator base is outside Minnesota.","source_urls":["https://www.instagram.com/breckiehill/"]},
    {"name":"Elle Cordova","instagram_account":"@ellecordova","instagram_followers_display":"~1.2M+","minnesota_connection":"Former Minneapolis creator base","current_base":"Los Angeles, California","reason_not_ranked":"Current residence and professional base are outside Minnesota.","source_urls":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elle_Cordova","https://www.instagram.com/ellecordova/"]}
  ],
  "excluded_research_records": [
    {"name":"Justus Reid","reason":"Large Instagram audience, but current residence is in Croatia rather than Minnesota.","source_urls":["https://www.patreon.com/Justus_reid/about?l=en-GB","https://instme.com/profile/justus_reid"]},
    {"name":"Patriotic Kenny","reason":"Not part of a current-creator ranking following his death in May 2026.","source_urls":["https://www.stripes.com/veterans/2026-05-19/patriotic-kenny-obit-navy-vet-tiktok-21724575.html"]},
    {"name":"Dogs of Instagram","reason":"The account has Minnesota origin history, but a current Minnesota creator base and current account status were not established.","source_urls":["https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesotans-to-meet-the-pair-behind-dogs-of-instagram/"]},
    {"name":"Maria Vizuete / Mia Mia Mine","reason":"Large-account directory references were found, but current Minnesota geography could not be established reliably.","source_urls":["https://www.amraandelma.com/100-top-fashion-influencers-in-2020/"]}
  ]
}