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Digital Influencers’ Attributes and Perceived Characterizations and Their Impact on Purchase Intentions

Author

Listed:
  • Manuel Joaquim de Sousa Pereira

    (Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal)

  • António Cardoso

    (Department of Business and Communication Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa, 4294-004 Porto, Portugal)

  • Ana Canavarro

    (IPAM Lab, IPAM/Europeia University, Rua Manuel Pinto de Azevedo, 748, 4100-320 Porto, Portugal)

  • Jorge Figueiredo

    (Centre for Law, Economic and Environmental Studies (CEJEA), Lusiada University, 4369-006 Porto, Portugal)

  • Jorge Esparteiro Garcia

    (ADiT-LAB, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial Nun’Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal)

Abstract

Research into the role of digital influencers in marketing strategies is a rapidly developing area that has attracted the interest of researchers and organizations. In recent years, organizations have become increasingly interested in using digital influencers to promote their brands and disseminate advertising messages with a high impact on their target audience. Digital influencers are beginning to be used as models for sustainable consumption behavior (for example in the fashion, food, and health sectors) by promoting environmental and sustainable values. By promoting sustainable content and disseminating messages of environmental awareness, digital influencers can help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study aims to identify the attributes (attitude homophily, physical attractiveness, and social attractiveness) and perceived characterizations (trustworthiness, perceived expertise, and parasocial relationship) of digital influencers and their impact on purchase intention among a sample of Portuguese consumers. It also aims to identify the most relevant types of digital influencers according to their areas of influence (fashion, sports, beauty, and cinema/TV/music) and their impact on purchase intention. For data collection, an online questionnaire was developed and administered to a non-probabilistic convenience sample. Only respondents who had experience purchasing a product or service after watching a YouTuber’s advertisement (screening question) or following or searching for a digital influencer could complete the questionnaire. A total of 243 valid questionnaires were received. The main findings are that the attributes and perceived characterizations of digital influencers have a positive and significant impact on purchase intention. It was also found that digital influencers can enhance shopping experience and credibility, which has a strong impact on consumers’ purchase intentions. In terms of sector, the data show that the most important influencer in the ‘Fashion’ sector is Helena Coelho, in the ‘Sports’ sector is Cristiano Ronaldo, in the ‘Beauty’ sector is Sara Sampaio, and in the ‘Music, TV, Cinema’ sector is Ricardo Araújo Pereira. This study can help companies use digital influencers more effectively in their digital marketing strategies, as credibility, experience, and parasocial relationships have a strong impact on consumers’ purchase intention.

Suggested Citation

  • Manuel Joaquim de Sousa Pereira & António Cardoso & Ana Canavarro & Jorge Figueiredo & Jorge Esparteiro Garcia, 2023. "Digital Influencers’ Attributes and Perceived Characterizations and Their Impact on Purchase Intentions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:12750-:d:1223109
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marina Alexandra Gomes & Susana Marques & Álvaro Dias, 2022. "The impact of digital influencers’ characteristics on purchase intention of fashion products," Journal of Global Fashion Marketing, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(3), pages 187-204, July.
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    1. Mahnoor Aziz, 2025. "The Impact of Follower Status on Parasocial Relationships and Advertising Effectiveness in Social Media Influencer Marketing," Magna Carta: Contemporary Social Science, 50sea, vol. 4(3), pages 136-146, August.
    2. Branka Bizjak Zabukovec & Armand Faganel, 2024. "The Issue of Scales for Measuring Parasocial Interaction and Parasocial Relationship between Followers and Influencers on Social Media," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-35, September.
    3. António Cardoso & Manuel Sousa Pereira & Amândio Silva & André Souza & Isabel Oliveira & Jorge Figueiredo, 2024. "The Influence of Digital Influencers on Generation Y’s Adoption of Fintech Banking Services in Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-27, November.

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