When Was Influencer Marketing Started Globally? A Comprehensive History

Influencer marketing has become a staple of modern digital strategies. But when did it originally emerge on the global scene? This comprehensive history explores the origins and evolution of influencer marketing worldwide.

The Early Days of Celebrity Endorsements

While the term “influencer marketing” didn’t exist, the strategic use of celebrity brand endorsements can be traced back over a century. Early adopters included automotive and consumer goods companies partnering with celebrities to promote products.

The Rise of Lifestyle Bloggers and Relatable Influencers

In the 2000s, blogs, YouTube, Twitter, and early social media allowed individuals to build sizable audiences. Brands took notice and began collaborating with popular bloggers and online personalities to tap into their follower bases.

Growth of Digital Influencer Marketing Agencies

As social media gained users and engagement in the 2010s, specialized influencer marketing agencies emerged. They formalized processes for identifying, vetting, contracting, and managing influencer campaigns at scale for brands. This fueled growth.

The Age of Social Media Influencers

By the mid-2010s, influencer marketing gained momentum globally as Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok further empowered individuals to amass huge audiences across platforms. A new generation of internet-famous "macro" and "micro" influencers took shape.

The Maturation of Influencer Marketing

Today, sophisticated brands integrate influencer campaigns into strategies using audience segmentation and performance tracking. Data informs partnerships. Platforms like Fluencer Market optimize program management as influencer marketing matures.

An Enduring And Evolving Industry

What started with celebrity product endorsements has grown into a pillar of modern marketing powered by relatable social media influencers and enabling technologies. Influencer marketing will continue adapting globally as new platforms and capabilities emerge.