Influencer

Person who is influential on social media

For other uses, see Influencer (disambiguation).

The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate. (March 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

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MrBeast

Charli D'Amelio

Khaby Lame

Chiara Ferragni

Cristiano Ronaldo

PANDA BOI

Kim Kardashian

Elon Musk

Kai Cenat

IShowSpeed

Logan Paul

Pokimane

A social media influencer,[1][2][3]also known as an online influencer,[4][5][6] or simply influencer,[7][8][9] is a person who builds a grassroots online presence through engaging content such as photos, videos, and updates. This is done by using direct audience interaction to establish authenticity, expertise, and appeal, and by standing apart from traditional celebrities by growing their platform through social media rather than pre-existing fame.[10][11] The modern referent of the term is commonly a paid role in which a business entity pays for the social media influence-for-hire activity to promote its products and services, known as influencer marketing.[12] Types of influencers include fashion influencer, travel influencer, and virtual influencer, and they involve content creators[13][14][15] and streamers.[16][17][18]

Some influencers are associated primarily with specific social media apps such as TikTok,[19] Instagram,[20][21] or Pinterest; many influencers are also considered internet celebrities. As of 2023[update], Instagram is the social media platform on which businesses spend the most advertising money towards marketing with influencers.[22] However, influencers can have an impact on any type of social media network.

## Definition

[edit]

Influencers may be celebrities of any type with large social media followings, including people who are mainly internet celebrities. There is no firm consensus about the definition of an influencer. One writer defines them as "a range of third parties who exercise influence over the organization and its potential customers."[23] Another writer defines an influencer as a "third party who significantly shapes the customer's purchasing decision but may never be accountable for it."[24] According to another writer, influencers are "well-connected, create an impact, have active minds, and are trendsetters".[25] Just because a person has many followers does not necessarily mean they have much influence over those people, only that they have many followers.[26][27] A 1% increase in spending on influencer marketing can lead to a 0.5% increase in audience engagement.[28] As such, an influencer is a form of a salesperson or a marketer.

Market research techniques can be used to identify influencers, using predefined criteria to determine the extent and type of influence.[25] "Activists" get involved with organizations, for example, their communities, political movements, and charities. "Connected influencers" have large social networks. "Authoritative influencers" are trusted by others. "Active minds" have a diverse range of interests. "Trendsetters" are the early adopters (or leavers) of markets. According to Malcolm Gladwell, "The success of any kind of social epidemic is heavily dependent on the involvement of people with a particular and rare set of social gifts".[29] He has identified types of influencers who are responsible for the "generation, communication, and adoption" of messages; connectors network with a variety of people, have a wide reach, and are essential to word-of-mouth communication;[30] mavens use information, share it with others, and are insightful about trends.[31][30]

## History

[edit]

### Origins

[edit]

The origins of online influencing can be traced back to the emergence of digital blogs and platforms in the early 2000s. Nevertheless, recent studies demonstrate that Instagram, an application with more than one billion users, harbors the majority of the influencer demographic.[32] These individuals are sometimes referred to as "Instagrammers" or "Instafamous". A crucial aspect of influencing is their association with sponsors. The 2015 debut of Vamp, a company that links influencers with sponsorships, transformed the landscape of influencing.[33][34]

There is much debate about whether social media influencers can be considered celebrities, as their path to fame is often less traditional and arguably easier. Melody Nouri[35] addresses the differences between the two types in her article "The Power of Influence: Traditional Celebrities vs Social Media Influencer".[35] Nouri asserts that social media platforms have a greater negative impact on young, impressionable audiences in comparison with traditional media such as magazines, billboards, advertisements, and tabloids featuring celebrities. Online, it is thought to be simpler to manipulate an image and lifestyle in such a way that viewers are more susceptible to believing it.[35]

One theory considers the former American First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) to be the "original media influencer." While she achieved celebrity in her role as First Lady, she built a global personal brand as a wise, informative, trustworthy American woman. Her voice was her own, unrestricted by political advisors and powerful men, and with it, Roosevelt exerted unprecedented social and cultural influence in radio, print, public speaking, film, and television until she died.[36][37][38] In one notable example, it may have been Roosevelt's television support of John F. Kennedy which nudged his "hairline victory" during the 1960 Presidential campaign.[39][40] In another example, David Ogilvy paid Roosevelt more than a quarter of a million dollars in today's currency to make a TV commercial for Good Luck margarine (1959), in which Roosevelt also managed to mention world hunger.[41] As a content creator, she wrote My Day, a popular daily newspaper column that ran nationwide for twenty-six years. Like a social media post, My Day covered all aspects of her life, and in it Roosevelt often recommended movies, books, and products that she admired.[42][43][44] Roosevelt also had a hand in designing all three of her public affairs television shows.[45] Unlike contemporary influencers, she was less motivated by a pay-to-play situation than by a desire to educate and inspire; but she did use her influence to benefit the entertainment industry careers of her children,[46][47][48] and she welcomed the revenue that her influence bought, most of which was donated to charity.[43][49]

### 2000s

[edit]

The early 2000s showed corporate endeavors to leverage the internet for influence, with some companies participating in forums for promotions or providing bloggers with complimentary products in return for favorable reviews. A few of these practices were viewed as unethical for taking advantage of the labor of young individuals without providing remuneration.[50] In 2004, The Blogstar Network was established by Ted Murphy of MindComet. Bloggers were encouraged to join an email list and receive remunerated offers from corporations in exchange for creating specific posts. For instance, bloggers were compensated for writing reviews of fast-food meals on their blogs. Blogstar is widely regarded as the first influencer marketing network.[50]

Murphy succeeded Blogstar with PayPerPost, which was introduced in 2006. This platform compensated significant posters on prominent forums and social media platforms for every post made about a corporate product. Payment rates were determined by the influencer's status.[50] Though very popular, PayPerPost, received a great deal of criticism as these influencers were not required to disclose their involvement with PayPerPost as traditional journalism would have.[51] With the success of PayPerPost, the public became aware that there was a drive for corporate interests to influence what some people were posting to these sites.[50] The platform also incentivized other firms to establish comparable programs.[52]

Despite concerns, marketing networks with influencers continued to grow throughout the 2000s and into the 2010s. The influencer marketing industry was worth as much as $8 billion in 2019, according to estimates from Business Insider Intelligence, which are based on Mediakix data.[52] Evan Asano, the Former CEO and founder of the agency Mediakix, previously spoke with Business Insider and said he believed influencer marketing on Instagram would continue to grow despite likes being hidden.[53]

### 2010s

[edit]

In 2024, Rolling Stone listed MrBeast, the YouTuber with the most subscribers, as the third most influential content creator behind Rhett & Link and Kai Cenat.[54][55] According to Insider, in 2021, 70% of survey respondents at the time had a positive view of the influencer,[56] who strongly appeals to younger audiences.[57][58]

By the 2010s, the term "influencer" described digital content creators with a large following, distinctive brand persona, and a patterned relationship with commercial sponsors.[59] Consumers often mistakenly view celebrities as reliable, leading to trust and confidence in the products being promoted.[60]

A 2001 study from Rutgers University discovered that individuals were using "internet forums as influential sources of consumer information." The study proposes that consumers preferred internet forums and social media when making purchasing decisions over conventional advertising and print sources. An influencer's personality strongly impacts their audience's purchasing decision, with those who engage with their audience being more persuasive in encouraging product purchases. Companies today place great importance on feedback and comments received through social media platforms as consumers trust other consumers. Reviews are often relied on to persuade consumers to make a purchase, highlighting the impact of a negative review on a business's revenue.[61]

A typical method of marketing between the influencer and the audience is "B2C marketing". B2C marketing, meaning Business-to-Consumer marketing, entails the strategies which a business would undertake to promote themselves and their services directly to their target audiences. This is typically through advertising and creating content through the influencer themselves. The intention is that their followers, who relate or look up to certain influencers, will be more inclined to purchase an item because their favorite "Internet celebrity" recommended it.[62] Social media influencers typically promote a lifestyle of beauty and luxury fashion and foster consumer–brand relationships, while selling their own lines of merchandise.[63]

David Rowles explains the methods online influencers employ to increase their audience and brand visibility. Digital branding encompasses all online experiences and necessitates value provision."[64]

### Self-branding

[edit]

Self-branding, also known as personal branding, describes the development of a public image for commercial gain or social or cultural capital.[65] The rise of social media has been exploited by individuals seeking personal fame and product sales. Platforms such as Instagram, Twitch, Snapchat, VSCO, YouTube, and TikTok, are the most common social media outlets on which online influencers attempt to build a following. Fame can be attained through different avenues and media forms, including art, humor, modeling, and podcasts. Marketing experts have concluded that anyone can build websites easily without any technical knowledge or complex coding languages. They can upload text, pictures, and videos instantly from personal computers or phones. With technological barriers diminishing, the web has become the ideal platform for personal branding.[66]

### Student athletes

[edit]

Student athlete influencers

Haley Cavinder (foreground) and her twin sister Hanna (background) playing for Gilbert High School in 2018

Adrien Nunez playing for the 2020–21 Michigan Wolverines in March 2021

In July 2021, athletes such as the Cavender twins and Adrien Nunez were allowed to earn income without losing their NCAA scholarships.

Following the National Collegiate Athletic Association v. Alston ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States in 2021, pre-college and college athletes became eligible for student athlete compensation for use of their personality rights without loss of athletic eligibility and education-related benefits, which broadened the influencer landscape to people who might not yet be celebrities;[67] subsequently, it became common for amateur athletes to use the name, image and likeness of their personal brand as influencers for hire outside of the field of play.[68][69][70][71][72]

## Income

[edit]

In 2023 in the United States, 27 million people were paid content creators.[73][74] Of those,[73] 12 million did content creation as their full-time profession.[74] 8 million did it as part-time work, and 7 million did it as a hobby.[74] Influencers can make money in various ways, but most of them earn money from endorsements or sponsorships. Social media influencers can use their fame to promote products or experiences to their followers, as a method of providing credibility to products.[75]

Influencers can also expand their source of revenue by creating their own products or merchandise to sell.[76] By doing this, and by using their platform to promote their products to an established audience, influencers can earn money by developing their own reputable brands. Bloggers can feature sponsored posts in social media to make profits.[77] For instance, fashion blogger Chiara Ferragni started as an online blogger, and then gained millions of followers on Instagram. She later created her brand, the Chiara Ferragni Collection. Like many other Instagram celebrities, Ferragni started by charging money per post for promoting brands. She earns revenue from promotional Instagram posts and the sale of her own products.[78] In 2020, a report by venture-capital firm SignalFire stated that the economy spawned by internet creators was the "fastest-growing type of small business".[79]

### Marketing

[edit]

This section is an excerpt from Influencer marketing.[edit]

Chiara Ferragni is a fashion influencer and blogger known for her sponsored fashion posts.

Influencer marketing (also known as influence marketing) is a form of social media marketing involving endorsements and product placement from influencers, individuals and organizations who have a purported expert level of knowledge or social influence in their field.[80] Influencers are people (or something) with the power to affect the buying habits or quantifiable actions of others by uploading some form of original—often sponsored—content to social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok or other online channels.[81] Influencer marketing is when a brand enrolls influencers who have an established credibility and audience on social media platforms to discuss or mention the brand in a social media post.[82]

Influencer content may be framed as testimonial advertising, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States.[83] The FTC started enforcing this on a large scale in 2016, sending letters to several companies and influencers who had failed to disclose sponsored content. Many Instagram influencers started using #ad in response and feared that this would affect their income. However, fans increased their engagement after the disclosure, statisfied they were landing such deals. This success led to some creators creating their own product lines in 2017.[84] Some influencers fake sponsored content to gain credibility and promote themselves.[85] Backlash to sponsored content became more prominent in mid-2018, leading to many influencers to focus instead on authenticity.[86]

Influencer marketing began with early celebrity endorsements and has rapidly spread since the rise of popular social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Influencer marketing shows how influencers have become very important figures in fashion and beauty with a very impactful voice and opinion among consumers. The legacy of influencer marketing highlights its power in shaping consumer behavior, with concerns about authenticity and transparency continuing to grow.

#### Relationship between user-generated content (UGC) and influencer marketing

[edit]

See also: User-generated content

User-generated content (UGC) and influencer marketing are increasingly interconnected elements of digital marketing. UGC, defined as content created and published by individuals rather than brands, includes social media posts, customer reviews, videos, and more. It is often perceived as more trustworthy and relatable than traditional advertising, helping to build brand credibility through authentic peer-to-peer endorsements.[87]

Influencer marketing similarly relies on individuals with established audiences to promote products and services. When influencers create brand-related content, it often functions as a hybrid between sponsored promotion and organic UGC. This blending of strategies can enhance engagement, build consumer trust, and increase marketing efficiency. The distinction between organic user-generated content and influencer-driven campaigns continues to evolve, reflecting broader trends in consumer behavior and digital communication.[87]

### Regulations

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Despite the recent emergence of influencer culture, influencer marketing and advertising it is left highly unregulated by existing legislation. This became a prevalent concern when users on social media platforms were finding it difficult to distinguish any differences between advertisements and sponsorships with personal posts. This was evident with the mismanagement of Fyre Festival, where numerous Instagram influencers were sanctioned for their lack of transparency.[88] This led to a massive backlash from the public, who felt the promotion of the event deliberately misled and confused target audiences. As a result, numerous advertising bodies sought to introduce strict regulations and guidelines around influencer marketing. This includes the AANA (Australian Associations of National Advertisers), who states that influencer advertising must be "clearly distinguishable".[89]

In August 2024, the Federal Trade Commission voted unanimously to ban marketers from using fake user reviews created by generative artificial intelligence chatbots (such as ChatGPT) and influencers paying for bots to increase follower counts.[90]

### Payments

[edit]

Most influencers are paid before the start of a marketing campaign, and others are paid after it ends.[91] Consensus exists about how much an influencer should be paid. Compensation may vary by how many people an influencer can reach, the extent to which they will endorse the product (a deliverable), and the success of their past endorsements have performed.[92][93]

Top-tier influencers and celebrities may receive a six- or seven-figure fee for a single social-media post.[94] In addition to (or in lieu of) a fee, payment may include free products or services.[93][95] While top-tier influencers generate attention, only 4% of all influencers make more than $100,000 a year.[96] For influencers with smaller followings, free products or services may be the only form of compensation.[97] Advertisers are increasingly inclined to see influencers with a small but dedicated follower base as a more efficient use of marketing dollars.[96]

Forrester Research analyst Michael Speyer notes that for small and medium-sized businesses, "IT sales are influenced by several parties, including peers, consultants, bloggers, and technology resellers."[98] According to Speyer, "Vendors need to identify and characterize influencers inside their market. This requires a comprehensive influencer identification program and the establishment of criteria for ranking influencer impact on the decision process."[99]

Share of Marketing Spending by Follower Count[96] Follower Count  | Percent of total US Marketing Spend in 2024

|

>100,000  | 30%
20,000–100,000  | 25%
< 20,000  | 45%

## Categorization

[edit]

Influencers are categorized by the number of followers they have on social media. They include celebrity endorsements from those with large followings, to niche content creators with a loyal following on social-media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.[100][101] Their followers range in number from hundreds of millions to 1,000.[97]

* Nano-influencers – These are influencers that have a following ranging from 1k to 10k.
* Micro-influencers – These are the influencers with followers in the range of 10K to 100k[102]
* Macro-influencers – These are the influencers with followers from the range of 100K to 500k
* Mega/Celeb-influencers – These are the influencers with more than 500k followers[103][97][101][104][105][106]

Businesses pursue people who aim to lessen their consumption of advertisements, and are willing to pay their influencers more. Targeting influencers is seen as increasing marketing's reach, counteracting a growing tendency by prospective customers to ignore marketing.[25][107]

Marketing researchers Kapitan and Silvera find that influencer selection extends into product personality. This product and benefit matching is key. For a shampoo, it should use an influencer with good hair. Likewise, a flashy product may use bold colors to convey its brand. If an influencer is not flashy, they will clash with the brand. Matching an influencer with the product's purpose and mood is important.[108]

## See also

[edit]

* Celebrity culture
* Online streamer
* Opinion leadership
* Social media marketing

## References

[edit]

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## External links

[edit]

* Walsh, Shelley (January 31, 2025). "The Top 30 Social Media Influencers Worldwide". Search Engine Journal. Retrieved July 26, 2025.

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Media culture

Media|

* 24-hour news cycle
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Deception|

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Techniques|

* Cult of personality
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Others|

* Catch and kill
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Philosophers|

* Theodor W. Adorno
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Issues|

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