Influenster
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Social media, Consumer reviews |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Aydin Acar, Elizabeth Scherle |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Product discovery platform, Consumer reviews, Social media analytics |
| Parent | Bazaarvoice |
Influenster serves as a platform for product discovery and consumer reviews, utilizing social media analytics to assess the influence of its users. Established in 2010 by Aydin Acar and Elizabeth Scherle, Influenster broadened its mobile accessibility with the release of iOS and Android applications in 2014 and 2015, respectively. By 2018, the platform boasted a user base exceeding 4 million. After being acquired by Bazaarvoice in 2019, Influenster underwent a relaunch in October 2022 aimed at strengthening its capabilities in product reviews and content generated by users.
Features
With a repository of more than 11 million reviews spanning upwards of 100,000 consumer brands and 1.7 million individual product listings, Influenster produces roughly 880,000 fresh reviews each month. The platform encourages user interaction through features such as product evaluations, question-and-answer sections, and multimedia content submissions.
Its commercial strategy involves campaigns where individuals possessing high Impact scores and fitting demographic profiles receive free products to test and promote via social channels, followed by participation in market research surveys. This method fosters genuine consumer insights and amplifies social engagement for affiliated brands.
Influenster enhances product exploration by integrating retailer offers and discount coupons. The Impact score is derived from data aggregated across several social networks including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Tumblr, Foursquare, and Google+, focusing on metrics like follower numbers and social reach.
Users can obtain "Expert" and "Lifestyle" badges through activities such as completing surveys, submitting reviews, responding to inquiries, and sharing content. This gamification element motivates active involvement and helps identify users suited for targeted campaigns that align with their profiles, reinforcing Influenster’s position as a leader in influencer marketing and consumer intelligence.
Business model
The core of Influenster’s business approach lies in collaborations with brands via VoxBox and VirtualVox initiatives. Through these programs, brands supply free products or digital incentives to users who meet predefined qualifications, thereby stimulating product interaction and generating social media attention.
Series funding
In 2016, Influenster raised $8 million during its Series A funding round from Ebates, a prominent online cashback service, facilitating the company’s expansion efforts and growth trajectory.