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A bibliometric analysis of virtual influencers in the Web of Science

Author

Listed:
  • Natalia Vila-López

    (Universidad de Valencia)

  • Ines Kuster-Boluda

    (Universidad de Valencia)

  • Elisabet Mora-Pérez

    (Universidad de Valencia)

  • Isabel Pascual-Riquelme

    (Universidad de Murcia)

Abstract

The role of virtual influencers has risen in popularity. However, the revisions on this are scarce and incomplete. In this framework, two main objectives guide this work: (i) to carry on a performance analysis to measure the visibility/impact of the scientific production on virtual influencers’ marketing (most cited authors, journals, and themes) and (ii) to visually present the scientific structure by topics of research in virtual influencers marketing as well as its evolution along time. A final set of 1740 papers about virtual influencer marketing was retrieved from the ISIWeb of Science (from 1997 to 2021). Three different periods of time were identified (i) from 1997 to 2012 (649 papers), (ii) from 2013 to 2016 (540 papers), and (iii) from 2017 to 2021 (514 papers). Our results have identified seven promising future research lines on this topic, highlighting the role of tourism and sports celebrities.

Suggested Citation

  • Natalia Vila-López & Ines Kuster-Boluda & Elisabet Mora-Pérez & Isabel Pascual-Riquelme, 2025. "A bibliometric analysis of virtual influencers in the Web of Science," Journal of Marketing Analytics, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 13(1), pages 145-161, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jmarka:v:13:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1057_s41270-023-00262-2
    DOI: 10.1057/s41270-023-00262-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria Petrescu & Anjala S. Krishen, 2023. "Mapping 2022 in Journal of Marketing Analytics: what lies ahead?," Journal of Marketing Analytics, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-4, March.
    2. Kristine de Valck & Roberts V. Kozinets & Andrea C. Wojnicki & Sarah J.S. Wilner, 2010. "Networked Narratives: Understanding Word-of-Mouth Marketing in Online Communities," Post-Print hal-00458424, HAL.
    3. Natalia Vila-Lopez & Inés Küster-Boluda, 2022. "Sharing-collaborative economy in tourism: A bibliometric analysis and perspectives for the post-pandemic era," Tourism Economics, , vol. 28(1), pages 272-288, February.
    4. Yi Yong Lee & Chin Lay Gan & Tze Wei Liew, 2023. "Do E-wallets trigger impulse purchases? An analysis of Malaysian Gen-Y and Gen-Z consumers," Journal of Marketing Analytics, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(2), pages 244-261, June.
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