An Internet Celebrity[1] is a person who gains fame through the internet[5]. They emerged in the early 1990s with the advent of the World Wide Web[2], and their popularity increased with the introduction of social media[3] platforms and blogging sites. They use platforms like YouTube[6], TikTok[7], Instagram[4], etc., to reach their audience and promote products or services. They can be classified based on their follower count into Nano, Micro, Mid-tier, Macro, Mega, and Celebrity. Internet celebrities also engage in self-branding to create a public image for commercial or social gain. However, their influence has sparked debates regarding their impact on young audiences and their role compared to traditional celebrities. Their influence on consumer[8] behavior has also raised concerns about the lack of regulation in the industry.
It has been suggested that this article should be split into a new article titled Influencer. (discuss) (March 2024) |
It has been suggested that parts of this page (Influencers and marketing networks) be moved into Influencer. (March 2024) |
An internet celebrity (also referred to as a social media influencer, social media personality, internet personality, online personality, or influencer) is an individual who has acquired or developed their fame and notability on the Internet. The growing popularity of social media provides a means for people to reach a large, global audience. Internet celebrities are often found on large online platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, which primarily rely on user-generated content.
Certain internet celebrities may function as lifestyle gurus promoting a particular lifestyle or attitude. In this capacity they act as key amplifiers of trends across various genres including fashion, cooking, technology, travel, video games, movies, esports, politics, music, sports, and entertainment. As part of influencer marketing, companies and organizations may enlist internet celebrities to advertise their products to their fan base and followers on their respective platforms.