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Social and influencer marketing statistics

Influencer and creator marketing is growing fast, but the payoff isn't with the big names. These figures show where the real leverage lies: relevance, trust, and in B2B especially, experts and LinkedIn creators.

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~$34,1 mld Estimated global market size of influencer marketing in 2026 The channel grew from just over $24 billion in 2024 to about $32.5 billion in 2025, and is heading toward $34 billion in 2026. Growth remains strong year after year. Source: Influencer Marketing Hub (2026)
72% Of brands plan to increase their influencer budget by 50% or more Not just a minor adjustment: nearly three out of four brands are raising budget by half or more. A clear sign the channel is maturing. Source: Influencer Marketing Hub (2026)
~$5,20 Average revenue generated per dollar invested in influencer marketing An average across all sectors. The spread is wide: top campaigns achieve far more, weak campaigns far less. Source: Influencer Marketing Hub (2026)
87% Of brands expect to increase their influencer budget An overwhelming majority is increasing budget. Budget intent is almost entirely expansive, nothing points to a slowdown. Source: Influencer Marketing Hub (2026)
~53% Of brands want to expand their use of micro-creators Nano-creators sit around 51% too. Interest in macro- and celebrity influencers stays flat. Smaller creators win on engagement and credibility. Source: Influencer Marketing Hub (2026)
85% Of B2B marketers use influencer or creator marketing In 2020 that figure was still 34%. In B2B this is rarely about Instagram celebrities, but about experts and peers with authority in their niche. Source: TopRank Marketing (2025)
55% Of B2B marketers use creator marketing on LinkedIn Almost another 30% plan to within the year. LinkedIn is the natural stage for expert creators in B2B. Source: TopRank Marketing (2025)
92% Of marketers see more reach with creator content than with brand-driven content On top of that, 90% report more engagement and 83% more conversions. People trust a person faster than a logo, so a credible voice works harder. Source: Sprout Social (2026)

What do these figures mean for Belgian B2B companies?

The numbers all point the same way: creator content performs because people trust a person faster than a brand. But the temptation to translate that into big names and high reach is exactly the trap. The market’s growth is in nano- and micro-creators, not expensive celebrities.

For B2B in Belgium that’s good news. Your target audience is small and specific, so you don’t need millions of reach. One credible expert or employee sharing what they genuinely know on LinkedIn convinces decision makers more than any ad could. That’s instantly more scalable and more affordable than an influencer deal.

The trick is linking that credibility to measurable follow-up. Combine expert content with targeted social ads and retargeting so you’re not just building trust, but turning that trust into inquiries and customers. Measure success by revenue, not followers.

Frequently asked questions

Does influencer marketing make sense for B2B, or is it mainly for online shops? +

It definitely works for B2B, just differently. In B2B it's not about big names with millions of followers, but about experts, employees and niche creators who are credible with your target audience. On LinkedIn, one respected peer often delivers more than an expensive celebrity.

Are micro-influencers better than big names? +

For most B2B companies, yes. Smaller creators have higher engagement, more trust and a more tightly defined audience. You pay less and reach people genuinely interested in your topic, which matters more than raw reach.

How do you measure whether influencer marketing is paying off? +

Don't measure success by likes or followers, measure what counts: inquiries, conversations and revenue. Use trackable links, discount codes or UTM tags and look at qualified leads. The average ROI from benchmarks is a reference point, not your own result.

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Source: Customer Impact, Social and influencer marketing statistics, https://www.customerimpact.be/en/marketing-statistics/influencer-marketing/

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