Virtual Influencers

Virtual influencers are influencers born with CGI and Artificial Intelligence as the primary interface for influencing audiences, as well as being realized as genuine social media personas. Imagine your favorite Instagram influencer but without the morning bedhead or missed flights!  They post trendy updates, endorse products, and reply to fans – all this and more, without having to take a rest. Brands love them because they look as if they are ready to work at any time – no attitude issues here. Virtual influencers are a blend of technology and art; and present not just a new way but a very modern way of interpreting social media. Well, they are like “the celebrities of the internet” without all the fuss of being hounded by photographers.

Virtual influencers are social media fashion icons who achieve all the things a real-life influencer does but without an iota of imperfection. These real-looking AI personalities post beautiful pictures, share some fragments of their “real life,” and reply to the tags, just like any other influencer. But they don’t stop there. AI-driven personas such as these work with large companies, advertise products, and in many ways, dictate trends in fashion, technology, and living. Even, most of them feature real people who generate popular content that creates buzz in social media. They can best be defined as your constant companions who are never overweight, never bored, and always au courant. What seems to set virtual influencers apart from their real human counterparts is the great fluidity with which they navigate between the creative and the technological, which is how we believe them to be a part of our defining digital future. Sometimes, we just need some visual aesthetics, or at least some entertainment – here you have your futuristic fashion icons ready to grace your timeline.

But hey, virtual influencers are not just mere faces on screens – they are a source of revenue! Though self-created, these AI personalities can earn good revenue for themselves, especially when they align themselves with big brands. As with real-life influencers, virtual ones are also paid to share posts, content partnerships, and advertisement placements. Thus, the amount can significantly differ and depends on the number of subscribers and ratios in their accounts. Just for your information, some virtual influencers at the top level can make thousands of dollars per post! Marketers also enjoy it because it’s always flawless, never fades, and can be custom-made to suit any campaign. As is evident from fashion, tech, or even lifestyle trends, these digitals are earning huge fortunes. How much they can earn is limited by the sky only since the online world is almost limitless!

Virtual influencer stars are changing the social media branding scene in a big way! These digital personalities give a completely new perspective to marketing because brands get a modern and creative way to reach the audience. And while conventionally attractive and always in the right clothes, aesthetically trending virtual models can model and promote literally any brand, always being on theme. Third, they interact with the followers in a very realistic manner, which increases the awareness of the brand and people’s trust. Regardless of whether it is promoting the newest clothing collection or a smartphone or tablet, these artificial intelligence-aided influencers are becoming ideal partners for firms interested in standing out. And because they’re not human, they’re not susceptible to scandals or other bad press, and so are better for long-term campaigns.

Virtual influencers, while not living actual human beings, are every bit actual entities in virtual reality! Surreal life-like avatars mounted with sophisticated artificial intelligence and computer graphics result in their own personalities, hobbies, and X (Twitter) accounts. They don’t breathe or eat pizza, still they communicate with their followers, use popular hashtags and trends, and advance trends in fashion, technology, and even lifestyle. Barely could they be referred to as real people, yet the perceptions they have created on social sites and branding are very real indeed. So, are they real? In the sphere of likes and hashtags, the answer is definitely yes. They do advertisements, partner with other big brands, set trends, and even discuss as any other influencer would.

Virtual influencers are a result of the incorporation of technology by some smart creative production companies. One of a few such brands is Brud, which popularized the concept of digital influencers with an account dedicated to Lil Miquela. Another player is BAM!, the people who created Shudu, some of them known as the creators of the world’s first digital supermodel. Then there’s Superplastic, the Simon Hessels and Jonathan Valenza-founded pop art animated partners with vivid and stylized virtual personalities such as Janky Bulky and Guggimon. These companies are leveraging technology and artistry to make their digital media as real as the real thing, and influencers as believable as people! Oh, and Aww Inc., the team that brought the world Imma, a digital model who has been charming the fashion world with her magenta bob and streetwear looks. Today, these companies are defining the course of social media, each virtual personality at a time.

The title of the highest-paid virtual influencer often goes to digital personalities with millions of followers and engagement. AI-curated influencers can generate thousands of dollars per post, with perfect, always on-brand personalities. As of 2024, Lil Miquela is widely recognized as the highest-paid virtual influencer. Created by the company Brud, Lil Miquela, a CGI character with a highly realistic appearance, has worked with major brands like Prada, Calvin Klein, and Samsung. Her earnings are reported to be in the millions, driven by her strong social media presence and brand partnerships.

Other notable high-earning virtual influencers include Shudu, the world’s first digital supermodel, and Noonoouri, who has collaborated with top luxury fashion brands. However, Lil Miquela remains at the top in terms of income and influence in the virtual space.

These virtual influencers are commanding significant earnings, with sponsored posts on platforms like Instagram and TikTok often exceeding $5,000 per post, contributing to their high earnings​ (Influencer Marketing Hub)​ (INS Group)​ (IZEA – We Are Influencer Marketing).