Influencer Marketing and Commercialization of Social Media Platforms: How Do Consumers React to Blurred-boundary Advertisements?

Authors

Yixin Zhang, University of GothenburgFollow
Libo Liu, The University of MelbourneFollow
Claire Q. Bi, University of CanterburyFollow

Paper Number

1679

Abstract

In recent years, social media platforms start adopting influencer marketing to increase consumer retention rates and generate revenue. In this study, we explore how consumers perceive and react to influencer marketing and commercialization of social media paltform. Following a qualitative approach, we interview fourteen users/influencers of a popular social media platform. The data analysis reveals a new type of advertisement in influencer marketing, i.e., blurred boundary advertisement, which integrates the advertisement and electronic word of mouth (eWoM) together. We also find that a portion of social media users are establishing hybrid identities, both as consumers and influencers. The hybrid users behave differently from common users. They show more tolerance towards advertisement in influencer marketing. In addition, we find that consumers accept advertisements in influencer marketing, but prefer explicit advertisements to blurred boundary advertisements.

Comments

Paper Number 1679

Recommended Citation

Zhang, Yixin; Liu, Libo; and Bi, Claire Q., "Influencer Marketing and Commercialization of Social Media Platforms: How Do Consumers React to Blurred-boundary Advertisements?" (2022). PACIS 2022 Proceedings. 188.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/pacis2022/188