How to Find Influencers

Knowing how to find influencers is a skill anyone can use to navigate the social landscape more effectively. Whether you’re a marketer looking for the right partner, a creator hoping to collaborate with another, or just someone trying to find their community and discover what is out there, this guide will show you practical ways to find influencers across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, with simple, tailored tips for both marketers and non-marketers.

WHY FINDING INFLUENCERS MATTERS

Suppose you’re trying to grow online or find your community. In that case, whether you’re a marketer, small business owner, creator, or nonprofit, learning how to find influencers who align with your values and goals can be completely transformative. Influencers aren’t just for big brands anymore. They’re trusted voices that can help you connect authentically with your audience, build awareness, and even drive sales.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to find influencers on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more, with step-by-step strategies tailored for both marketers and non-marketers, no matter your experience, budget, or needs

Step 1: Choose the Right Platform to Find Influencers

Not all influencers thrive on the same platform. Choosing where to focus is your first step toward finding the right fit.

For Marketers: If you are trying to find influencers for your brand, you should start by aligning your platform and audience data. For example, B2C brands thrive on Instagram and TikTok, while B2B marketers may find the best influencers on LinkedIn or X.

For Non-Marketers: If you’re a creator or trying to find a community to follow, focus on where it feels natural. An activist might find cause-driven creators on TikTok or YouTube, or a gamer may find aesthetic setup tips on Instagram. 

Step 2: Search Strategies

Finding influencers doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Start with these two main approaches: platform-assisted and manual searching.

Platform-Assisted Searching: The Fast Route

Tools like Heepsy, Aspire, and TikTok Creator Marketplace make it incredibly easy to find influencers who match your goals without endless scrolling. These platforms let you filter creators by niche, audience size, engagement rate, and location, giving you instant access to data that would take hours to collect manually. This approach works especially well if you need quick, reliable results or want to build an initial shortlist of potential partners. It’s perfect for busy marketers or small teams who want fast, data-driven insights without sacrificing accuracy or authenticity.

For Marketers: Use these tools to find influencers with data-backed confidence. You can segment by metrics like audience age, region, and engagement — or export influencer lists for campaign testing.

For Non-Marketers: If you’re not running a marketing department, you can still use Creator Marketplaces or search “micro influencers in [your niche]” on Google or TikTok. You’ll discover genuine creators without needing paid software.

Manual Searching: The Deep Dive

Manual research helps you find influencers who feel authentic, especially in niche or local communities.

Instagram

• Search hashtags (#veganrecipes, #homeofficeinspo)
• Check your followers or brand mentions
• Browse ‘Explore’ or niche pages
  

YouTube

• Use keyword searches (e.g., “best skincare routine review”)
• Review engagement (likes, comments, views-to-subs ratio)
• Check collaborations with other creators
  

TikTok

• Search trending hashtags (#booktok, #smallbusinesscheck)
• Track trending sounds and who uses them
• See who frequently appears on your “For You” page
  

X (Twitter)

• Use advanced search tools
• Look for threads and trending hashtags in your niche
  

LinkedIn

• Search your industry + “creator,” “influencer,” or “consultant”
• Observe who posts consistently and drives conversation
  

For Marketers: This method uncovers micro and nano influencers with highly engaged, specific audiences — ideal for targeted campaigns or long-term collaborations.

For Non-Marketers: Focus on people who already care about your topic. If they share your values, their followers will likely respond authentically too.

Step 3: Vet Before You Collaborate

Once you find influencers who seem like a fit, it’s time to evaluate their authenticity and audience quality.

For Marketers: Pull data using analytics tools like HypeAuditor, Modash, or built-in marketplace insights. Quantify engagement and audience credibility before outreach.

For Non-Marketers: A quick manual check works: read the comments. Do followers ask real questions or offer genuine feedback? That’s the easiest sign of a trustworthy creator.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, NOT JUST CAMPAIGNS 

Remember above all, find influencers who align with your purpose; you’re not just starting a campaign, you’re building a partnership. Start small, experiment, and focus on relationships over one-off shoutouts. The most successful influencer collaborations come from mutual respect and shared values.

To Recap

• Choose the right platform
• Use both tools and manual methods to find influencers.
• Always vet engagement, tone, and authenticity.
• Focus on long-term relationships to build trust and growth

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@SociallyPowerful