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You follow fitness influencers on YouTube. But do you actually exercise? How parasocial relationships, and watching fitness influencers, relate to intentions to exercise

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  • Sokolova, Karina
  • Perez, Charles

Abstract

Digital celebrities found on social media platforms are found to be successful in endorsing brands and products, and influencing purchase intentions of their followers. However, influencers also promote values and lifestyles on their channels, such as healthy behavior and fitness. In this article, we investigate the motivations of users who follow fitness influencers on YouTube and how parasocial interaction and intentions to watch fitness are related to intentions to exercise. Watching fitness videos and social interaction seems only to motivate followers that are already physically active. Non-exercising users are attracted to YouTube by entertainment and a parasocial relationship with an influencer that has no impact on their intentions to exercise.

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  • Sokolova, Karina & Perez, Charles, 2021. "You follow fitness influencers on YouTube. But do you actually exercise? How parasocial relationships, and watching fitness influencers, relate to intentions to exercise," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joreco:v:58:y:2021:i:c:s0969698920312844
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jretconser.2020.102276
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    5. Alicia Arias-Rodriguez & Ana Sánchez-Bello, 2022. "Informal Learning with a Gender Perspective Transmitted by Influencers through Content on YouTube and Instagram in Spain," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-13, August.
    6. Hyo Geun Song, 2023. "Understanding Social Media Users’ Mukbang Content Watching: Integrating TAM and ECM," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-15, February.
    7. Cabeza-Ramírez, L. Javier & Sánchez-Cañizares, Sandra M. & Santos-Roldán, Luna M. & Fuentes-García, Fernando J., 2022. "Impact of the perceived risk in influencers' product recommendations on their followers' purchase attitudes and intention," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
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    9. Belanche, Daniel & Casaló, Luis V. & Flavián, Marta & Ibáñez-Sánchez, Sergio, 2021. "Building influencers' credibility on Instagram: Effects on followers’ attitudes and behavioral responses toward the influencer," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
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