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Influencer marketing has shown that it can be an effective and profitable tool to spread the word about a product or service. The authenticity of content creators speaking to their target audience holds great value for brands, and it works for almost every niche. Despite the adaptability of influencer marketing, some categories tend to stand out in terms of both consumer interest and the number of content creators to choose from. Here are 10 of the best influencer marketing categories that have proved to be especially popular among consumers on social media, each with examples of content providers on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.

Pro Tip: Search through thousands more on The Creator Marketplace.

Fashion

Fashion covers a broad range of products and services beyond just apparel. From footwear, jewelry, and accessories to garment care, vintage clothes shopping, and designing your own sneakers, the category can carry a spectrum of content under its umbrella. 

Currently popular are fashion haul try-ons, in-store shopping tag-alongs, and styling tips like “5 Ways to Wear a White Shirt.” 

Of all the categories, fashion may have the widest selection of influencers

Top influencers to draw inspiration from

  1. Double Vanilla
  2. Naomi Hilton
  3. Blue Collar Prep

Beauty

Long gone are the days when only women promoted skincare, haircare and makeup. Today you’ll find men creating mascara tutorials, offering grooming tips, and talking openly about everything from acne to wrinkles. 

Beyond sex and gender, social media has leveled the playing field to allow influencers of all sizes, ethnicities, income levels, professions, and locations to create and promote content. 

A quick search for the keyword “beauty” on any of the major platforms might give you dermatologists debunking skincare myths, cosplayers reviewing wigs, and men sharing their before-and-after experiences with hair-growth products or services. 

Top influencers to draw inspiration from

  1. Tati Westbrook
  2. Danielle Marcan
  3. Minority Redefined

Health and Fitness

Nutritionists, personal trainers, yoga instructors, and mental health advocates have all put long-form videos to their advantage. 

By building up followers with instruction, advice, and resources, experts and novices alike have become influencers for followers looking to improve their bodies — inside or out.

Top influencers to draw inspiration from

  1. Mark Lewis
  2. Kat Poulopoulos
  3. The Gut Health Doctor

Technology

It only makes sense that the explosion of access to technology has birthed a new generation of tech influencers on social media. 

Some content creators are experts in their field—sharing their knowledge on anything from hardware and software to artificial intelligence and breakthroughs in aerospace engineering. 

Others are simply people interested in explaining the latest features of a newly released smartphone or how to set up a new laptop or 3D printer.

Top influencers to draw inspiration from

  1. JayzTwoCents
  2. Simply Pops
  3. Jessica Naziri

Travel and tourism

Not everyone has the skills to sail around the globe or the money to take time off work and fly to Japan. But true travel influencers do a great job bringing their trip to their followers. Even those who can’t make a living from the road can promote their favorite destinations with great detail, offering tips on hot spots, flight discounts, and must-try hotels and restaurants. 

Need a tip to find some of the most influential globetrotters? Search Instagram and YouTube for “travel photographers.” 

Top influencers to draw inspiration from

  1. Currently Hannah
  2. Jo Lieno
  3. Austin Sills

Entrepreneurship

Who wouldn’t love to exit the 9-to-5 grind with an opportunity to be self-employed or, better yet, to create enough passive income to live comfortably with minimal effort? There’s a reason there are so many social media entrepreneur influencers; there’s a demand for it. 

The trick is to weed out the gurus from the scams. When in doubt, check the content creator’s bio to ensure they’ve got the education—or at least experience and proven results—to back up their claims of expertise. This is particularly true for fields that delve into investing, marketing, and new ventures popping up overnight. 

Top influencers to draw inspiration from

  1. Joshua Mayo
  2. Nae the CEO
  3. Chris Do

Home and lifestyle

“Home” is a pretty easy category to define. Most of us will envision interior decorating, cleaning, organizing, architecture, or storage hacks. But lifestyle is a bit harder to encapsulate. Some lifestyle influencers will post a blend of content covering parenting, partying, gardening, DIY hacks, or daily excursions. 

When done well, lifestyle influencers can amass many followers simply by sharing interesting snippets from their everyday lives on social media. 

Top influencers to draw inspiration from

  1. Kristen McGowan
  2. Emilie Kiser
  3. Decorating with Leila

Gaming

Quick: name three popular video games. Chances are, no matter which games you choose, multiple influencers specialize in content around each game. Why would someone want to watch gamers play or discuss Minecraft, Roblox, or Fortnite? Some people want to be entertained by the commentary. Others want instruction on how to play a new game or get past a tricky level. 

Don’t make the mistake of assuming you have to sell gaming equipment or apps to partner with a gaming influencer. Many brands have capitalized on these game-centric audiences to sell everything from energy drinks and skateboards to hoodies and custom sneakers. 

Top influencers to draw inspiration from

  1. Sundee
  2. Travis Eddie
  3. McFreya Builds

Food

Don’t skip consideration for one of the most broadly appealing categories on social media. Sure, everyone needs to eat, but there’s so much more to food than simply consumption for nutrients. Influencers range from home cooks and professional chefs to meal preppers and food scientists. 

With such varied content, brands can pair with creators to promote cookware, aprons, food delivery subscription services, alcohol, appliances, restaurants, cookbooks, cooking classes, and alternative products for dietary restrictions like kosher, gluten-free, and vegan.

Top influencers to draw inspiration from

  1. Strictly Dumpling
  2. Chef Genevieve LaMonaca
  3. Diary of a Mad Black Vegan

Pets

You can’t swing your arms without hitting someone who spoils their pet. Even those who don’t have a furry, feathered, or scaly friend often turn to cute or funny animal videos to boost their mood. 

Social media is brimming with content from animal lovers who want to share reviews of pet products, offer tips on pet care, or simply bask in the glow of their pet’s popularity.

Top influencers to draw inspiration from

  1. My Mountain Husky
  2. Holly & Milkshake
  3. Grooming With Paige

Do some digging to determine which of these categories might serve up the best content creators — and audiences — for your brand’s influencer marketing campaigns. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different niches. You might find an unexpected match that takes your brand down a lesser-worn but profitable path.

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 THE CREATOR MARKETPLACE® 

Find your next great collab.

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 THE CREATOR MARKETPLACE® 

Find your next great collab.

Browse creator listings now