Virtual Influencers: How Brands Are Leveraging Digital Avatars to Revolutionize Marketing

As social media continues to evolve, a new trend is gaining attention: virtual influencers. While you may or may not be familiar with the term, you’ve likely already seen them without even realizing it. These virtual influencers are very similar to regular social media influencers—they have distinct personalities, engaging content, and a loyal fan base. However, there is one important difference. They aren’t real. 

Virtual influencers are becoming increasingly popular, and they are no secret. In fact, a 2024 survey reveals that over 60% of respondents have engaged with virtual influencers (Source: Influencer Marketing Hub, 2024). This growing familiarity highlights their rising prominence in the influencer marketing space. Clicks Talent, Clicks Talent, one of the pioneering agencies in influencer marketing, brings unparalleled experience in guiding brands through the evolving landscape of TikTok and influencer strategies. Their deep expertise in the influencer space positions them uniquely to offer valuable insights into the growing role of virtual influencers in marketing strategies. With a rise in digital personas, how will the future of social media and marketing change? The answer may just redefine what influence truly means.

What Are Virtual Influencers?

The term ‘virtual influencers’ defines computer-generated characters that are designed to behave, interact, and influence just as human social media figures do. The avatars may not exist in the real world but are designed with a degree of realism and character that often blurs the line between digital and real. It differs from the case of traditional influencers because everything from what they look like to what they think and do is controlled by human creators. 

The concept of virtual influencers is nothing new. One of the earliest and most prominent examples is Lil Miquela, who was launched in 2016. With her freckled face, relatable captions, and trendy fashion sense, it wasn’t long before Lil Miquela was raking in millions of followers and partnering with several top brands, including Prada and Calvin Klein. Since the debut, many more virtual influencers have joined the space. 

The technology behind these influencers is incredibly advanced computer-generated imagery with realistic appearances that pop and create great content. Management teams usually include artists, marketers, and artificial intelligence specialists who build the characters’ narratives, making them relatable and aspirational. This strategic marketing blend of digital art has allowed these avatars to become notable players within the influencer ecosystem. 

Why Are Brands Turning to Virtual Influencers?

Virtual influencers can be more appealing to brands because they are fully controllable. Human influencers could say something controversial or end up involved in personal scandals, but virtual influencers never act or do anything the creator does not intend for them to. Such precision gives brands an advantage by finetuning their messages and helping protect their image.

Virtual influencers guarantee consistency. They never age or have bad days; in the blink of an eye, they can adapt to fit into new marketing campaigns. The ability to create and maintain a specific brand image through a virtual avatar, grants so much more personalized and innovative storytelling, which is very attractive for companies trying to find an edge in an oversaturated market.

One of the more interesting things about virtual influencers, however, is the way they could really help capture the attention the younger Gen Z audience. In fact, in 2022, 75% of Gen Z admitted to following at least one virtual influencer (Source: Statista, 2023). Younger fans are seemingly more open to the idea of interacting with digital entities. This shouldn’t be surprising. This demographic has grown up blending worlds, both virtual and real. Because of that, these unique tactics from brands may speak most effectively to them.

The Impact of Virtual Influencers on Marketing Strategies

Marketing strategies across all industries are considering how they can integrate virtual influencers. Fashion, beauty, and tech were among the first to adopt this trend, where digital avatars have created forward-thinking campaigns. A collaboration between Lil Miquela and Gucci went viral on her Instagram page, but it was quickly shared across many different social media platforms, sparking conversations about the partnership. 

Virtual influencers are becoming important strategic assets for companies trying to reach a specific audience. Through data analysis, brands can develop virtual personas that capture what is most important to the identity of their target demographic, whether that’s personality type, values, or lifestyle. This allows an extremely targeted approach that has the potential to build even more powerful links with consumers, particularly at a time when personalization is key.

However, there are some challenges. One huge concern is transparency: Do followers always know when the influencer they interact with is utterly digital? Questions of authenticity also arise because some critics see the use of avatars as diluting genuine human experiences. 

Another issue is trust. Despite the fact that virtual influencers are extremely followed by Gen Z, only 40% of them have said they’d buy a product recommended by a virtual influencer (Source: Statista, 2023). Brands must balance these sensitively, often by being open about the digital nature of their influencers, creating content that strikes a chord authentically.

Are Virtual Influencers Here to Stay?

Whether virtual influencers are a fad or here to stay is hard to say. These avatars will likely continue to become more life-like and sophisticated. As AI continues to evolve, virtual influencers could become more autonomous and able to interact with audiences in real time in ways that truly feel human. This could further blur boundaries between digital and real personalities, raising questions of excitement and ethics.

The virtual influencer market is already getting competitive. As this continues to be more and more adopted by brands, oversaturation could be a factor. Brands should ensure continuous innovation and staying ahead of the curve are engineered into their strategies to keep the edge. The future of virtual influencers will depend on how well they adapt and evolve with technological advancement and audience expectations.

One thing is certain, though: At the moment, the virtual influencer market is on the rise. Predictions are that the industry will reach $2.6 billion by 2026 (Source: Markets and Markets, 2024)! This means that the companies are seeing the potential of virtual influencers and that the trend is likely to stay, at least for a short while.

Embracing the Digital Future of Influence

The rise of virtual influencers has been a pivot point in marketing evolution, offering a brand-new level of control and the ability to interact with younger, tech-savvy audiences. Companies like Clicks Talent help brands navigate this changing landscape and tap into the potential of both traditional and virtual influencers. With their help, companies can fully explore the benefits of virtual influencers, increasing their online visibility and profit. 

Looking ahead, the opportunities for digital influence would appear endless. The future will likely be one in which a balance between digital avatars and human influencers coexist, serving their own purpose in the ever-changing social media jungle.