Virtual influencers are digitally created personas or computer-generated characters that mimic real people. They are developed using techniques such as 3D modeling, animation, and artificial intelligence, and are usually managed by creators, brands, or marketing agencies. These virtual figures maintain a presence on social media platforms, interacting with audiences in a manner similar to human influencers by sharing content, endorsing products, and cultivating a follower base.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The main categories of virtual influencers include virtual humans, animated characters, and AI-driven avatars. Virtual humans are computer-generated, AI-powered digital characters designed to replicate human-like appearances, behaviors, and interactions within virtual environments. They are utilized across platforms such as social media, brand websites, and e-commerce sites for various purposes such as product promotion, customer support, brand storytelling, and entertainment. Key end users span industries including consumer goods and retail, fashion and beauty, technology and software, as well as travel and hospitality.
The virtual influencers market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides virtual influencers market statistics, including the virtual influencers industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the virtual influencers market share, detailed virtual influencers market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the virtual influencers industry. This virtual influencers market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.
The virtual influencers market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from$7.94 billion in 2024 to $11.26 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 41.9%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to heightened consumer engagement on social media platforms, a growing demand for innovative marketing approaches, the emergence of immersive technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), and the increasing popularity of social media and influencer marketing.
The virtual influencers market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to$45.35 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 41.6%. Growth in the forecast period is expected to be driven by the increasing number of brand collaborations with virtual influencers, rising consumer engagement with AI-driven personas, a growing demand for digital content and immersive experiences, and the broader adoption of virtual influencers in advertising campaigns. Notable trends anticipated during this time include advancements in machine learning, improvements in artificial intelligence (AI) and computer-generated imagery (CGI), and the creation of more sophisticated algorithms.
The growing popularity of social media and influencer marketing is anticipated to drive the expansion of the virtual influencers market in the coming years. Social media and influencer marketing involve leveraging social platforms and influential personalities to promote brands, products, or services. As consumers increasingly trust influencers over traditional advertisements, they are more inclined to make purchases based on influencer recommendations. Virtual influencers support this trend by providing brands with complete control over messaging, consistent content delivery, and the ability to engage audiences without the challenges posed by human influencers. For example, in January 2025, Made in CA, a Canada-based online platform promoting Canadian-made goods and innovations, reported that Canada had 31.9 million social media users as of early 2023, representing a 91.3% penetration rate. This suggests that the vast majority of Canadians maintain at least one social media profile. Consequently, the growing influence of social media and influencer marketing is propelling the virtual influencers market.
Key players in the virtual influencers market are concentrating on advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning, particularly by creating female virtual influencers to boost realism, interactivity, and audience engagement. These digital characters are designed to resemble human females and are AI-powered to produce personalized and adaptive marketing content. For instance, in August 2023, Xhadow Media Pvt. Ltd., a media and entertainment company based in India, introduced Sanvii-the first female virtual influencer on Instagram. Utilizing AI and 3D visualization, Sanvii connects with audiences through relatable lifestyle content while offering brands a consistent, cost-effective, and far-reaching promotional tool. Her mission is to transform influencer marketing by blending technological innovation with creative storytelling for immersive digital engagement.
In November 2024, 17LIVE Group Limited, a Taiwan-based interactive live-streaming company, announced the acquisition of Mikai Inc. for an undisclosed sum. Through this acquisition, 17LIVE aims to expand its V-liver services, enhance its virtual influencer capabilities, and tap into the growing global market for virtual entertainment and Japanese animation. Mikai Inc., based in Japan, is an entertainment startup that focuses on managing virtual YouTubers (VTubers) and developing virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) content.
Major players in the virtual influencers market are Meta Platforms Inc., LG Uplus Corp., Magazine Luiza S.A., Prada S.p.A., SM Entertainment Co. Ltd., Balmain S.A., The Diigitals, Dapper Labs Inc., Hololive Production, Superplastic Inc., Colossyan Limited, Aww Inc., UneeQ Limited, Brud Inc., Creatify AI, Castleberry Media, FUTR Studios Ltd., InfluencerFarm, AvatarOS, and SynthLife.
North America was the largest region in the virtual influencers market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in virtual influencers report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the virtual influencers market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The virtual influencers market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as brand promotion, content creation, and customer engagement. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The virtual influencers market also includes sales of high-performance computers, motion capture equipment, headsets, camera rigs, and green screen setups. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Virtual Influencers Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on virtual influencers market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for virtual influencers ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The virtual influencers market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers the growth trajectory of COVID-19 for all regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets.
The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.
Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
Time series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
Data segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. Virtual Influencers Market Characteristics
3. Virtual Influencers Market Trends And Strategies
4. Virtual Influencers Market - Macro Economic Scenario Including The Impact Of Interest Rates, Inflation, Geopolitics, Trade Wars and Tariffs, And Covid And Recovery On The Market
5. Global Virtual Influencers Growth Analysis And Strategic Analysis Framework
5.1. Global Virtual Influencers PESTEL Analysis (Political, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal Factors, Drivers and Restraints)
5.2. Analysis Of End Use Industries
5.3. Global Virtual Influencers Market Growth Rate Analysis
5.4. Global Virtual Influencers Historic Market Size and Growth, 2019 - 2024, Value ($ Billion)
5.5. Global Virtual Influencers Forecast Market Size and Growth, 2024 - 2029, 2034F, Value ($ Billion)
5.6. Global Virtual Influencers Total Addressable Market (TAM)
6. Virtual Influencers Market Segmentation
6.1. Global Virtual Influencers Market, Segmentation By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Virtual Humans
Animated Characters
Artificial Intelligence-Driven Avatars
6.2. Global Virtual Influencers Market, Segmentation By Deployment, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Social Media Platforms
Brand Websites
E-Commerce Platforms
6.3. Global Virtual Influencers Market, Segmentation By Application, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Product Marketing
Customer Service
Brand Storytelling
Entertainment
6.4. Global Virtual Influencers Market, Segmentation By End User, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Consumer Goods And Retail
Fashion And Beauty
Technology And Software
Travel And Hospitality
6.5. Global Virtual Influencers Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Virtual Humans, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
AI-Powered Digital Models
Social Media Personalities
Brand Ambassadors
Digital Customer Service Representatives
6.6. Global Virtual Influencers Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Animated Characters, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
2D Animated Influencers
3D CGI Characters
Cartoon-Style Avatars
Fantasy And Sci-Fi Characters
6.7. Global Virtual Influencers Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Animated Characters, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion