In the rapidly growing world of influencer marketing, brands are faced with the task of selecting the right creators to collaborate with to achieve their campaign objectives. One of the factors often considered is the size of the creator’s following. However, does the follower size actually impact the performance of paid ads in a branded content campaign? In this guide, we will explore the correlation between follower size and the effectiveness of whitelisted or co-branded ads, based on a study conducted by AdParlor. Let’s dive in!

Understanding the Influencer Marketing Landscape:

The influencer marketing industry has experienced exponential growth, with a projected worth of $21.1 billion in 2023. When planning influencer-driven media strategies, the selection process often takes into account the size of the influencer’s audience. Larger influencers usually command higher fees, while smaller influencers offer more cost-effective options. Social channels also offer whitelisting capabilities, enabling brands to maximize returns on their investment in working with content creators.

The Power of Whitelisted/Co-Branded Ads:

Collaborative or co-branded ads have proven to be highly effective in driving results. Meta’s Collaborative Ads (formerly known as Branded Content Ads) have shown a 19% lower cost per landing click (CPLC) and a 17% higher link click-through rate. These ads provide an opportunity to amplify the reach and impact of influencer-generated content through paid promotion.

Exploring the Correlation between Creator Follower Size and Paid Results:

AdParlor conducted a study analyzing the results of Q4 paid advertising campaigns focused on driving website traffic, with a minimum budget of $100,000. The campaigns utilized Meta’s Collaborative Ads feature. The results were grouped into three categories based on creator Instagram follower size: Nano (1k-10k), Micro (10k-50k), Mid-Tier (50k-300k) and Macro (300k-1M+).

Key Findings:

  • The study included 24 influencer accounts, consisting of 2 Macro influencers, 8 Mid-Tier influencers, 8 Micro influencers, and 6 Nano influencers.
  • The Nano influencers had an average following of 5.7k, Micros had an average following of 37k, the Mid-Tier influencers had an average following of 159k, and Macro had an average following of 481k.
  • Micro-influencers drove the lowest cost per landing click (CPLC) and the highest link click-through rate, though the difference was pretty insignificant compared to the performance of other influencer segments (e.g. 2.25% click-through rate increase versus a 1.85% for macros). 
  • There was no direct correlation between the size of the audience and ad performance. Macro influencers did not show any performance improvement in the paid campaigns compared to the other categories.

The Importance of Creative Quality and Audience Resonance:

These findings suggest that the performance of paid ads within a campaign is more influenced by the quality of the creatives and how well they resonate with the targeted audience. While follower size may initially seem like a determining factor, it is the relevance and engagement of the content that truly impacts results. Brands should also consider the potential impact of organic content posted by the creators to capture the full return on investment (ROI) of influencer collaborations.

Recommendations:

Based on the study’s results, AdParlor continues to recommend Meta’s Collaborative Ads feature to its clients to enhance ad campaign performance. When selecting influencers, brands should prioritize creators whose values align with their own and who can create compelling, resonant content for their target audience. Focus on the quality of the creative execution and the ability to authentically engage with the audience to drive optimal results.

Conclusion: When it comes to paid results for branded content, the follower size of creators does not directly impact the performance of ads. Instead, it is the quality of the creative content and its resonance with the audience that truly drives success. By understanding the importance of creative execution and fostering authentic partnerships with influencers, brands can unlock the full potential of influencer marketing and achieve remarkable results in their campaigns.

Are you interested in maximizing the impact of your influencer marketing campaigns? Schedule a call with the AdParlor team today to discuss your amplification strategy and discover how we can help you leverage the power of influencer marketing to reach new heights. Let our experts guide you in optimizing your campaigns and achieving outstanding results. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take your influencer marketing to the next level!

Schedule a discovery call with AdParlor today! 

Remember, successful influencer marketing requires a thoughtful and strategic approach that aligns with your brand’s objectives and target audience. Stay informed, adapt to the latest trends, and forge meaningful relationships with influencers to create impactful and authentic campaigns. Let’s take your influencer marketing journey to the next level.

[1] https://influencermarketinghub.com/influencer-marketing-statistics/

[2] https://influencermarketinghub.com/influencer-marketing-benchmark-report/

[3] Data from Meta campaigns with traffic objective. Campaigns ran in Q4 2022

About AdParlor

AdParlor, an agency established in 2008 and now a division of Fluent (NASDAQ: FLNT), is a leading provider of data-driven digital media strategy and execution that unlocks explosive growth for world-class and disruptive brands.  Through our GrowthFuel framework we offer proprietary performance marketing solutions that have scaled our clients’ programs profitably, with our clients’ success being our sole agenda.  Our custom technology solves problems related to creative insights, creative production, real time cross-platform reporting and more.  Brands choose AdParlor because our unmatched expertise in ecommerce digital media delivers impactful full-funnel performance campaigns for profitable growth.