Apr 28, 2025
5 MIN READ
INFLUENCER MARKETING
INFLUENCER MARKETING
The Rise of AI Influencers: Should D2C Brands Work with Virtual Creators?
The Rise of AI Influencers: Should D2C Brands Work with Virtual Creators?
The Rise of AI Influencers: Should D2C Brands Work with Virtual Creators?
Aishwarya Taskar
Aishwarya Taskar
Aishwarya Taskar
Aishwarya Taskar
Content Marketer @impulze.ai
Blog in Short ⏱️
Blog in Short ⏱️
A quick glance at the highlights—perfect for when you're short on time.
A quick glance at the highlights—perfect for when you're short on time.
AI influencers are CGI-created personas managed entirely by brands.
D2C brands use them for full control, fast turnaround, and global reach.
Creators like Lil Miquela and Imma show high engagement and loyal followings.
Benefits: creative control, cost efficiency, buzz-worthy launches, and geo-flexible content.
Downsides: no real use of products, weaker trust, and legal grey areas.
Best for visual, hype-driven campaigns.
Test small, disclose clearly, and track results with tools like impulze.ai.
Combine AI with real creators for a well-rounded strategy.
AI influencers are everywhere. From perfectly styled Instagram posts to viral brand collabs, AI influencers are showing up across industries.
As a D2C brand, you’ve probably wondered: are these digital faces worth betting on?
Or is it all just hype?
Let’s get into what AI influencers bring to the table and whether they deserve a spot in your influencer strategy.
What Are AI Influencers?
AI influencers, also known as virtual creators, are computer-generated personalities that act like real people on social media.
Some are animated avatars, while others are hyper-realistic CGI models. They post, comment, promote brands, and even “interact” with their followers through scripted content.
Most of them are upfront about being artificial, but that doesn’t stop fans from treating them like any other influencer. Think of it as a well-managed character; one that’s always on-brand, never late, and can wear anything your designer imagines.
Why Are D2C Brands Paying Attention?
Here’s why virtual influencers for D2C brands are gaining traction:
Control and reliability: They don’t miss deadlines or go off-script. Every word and image can be planned.
Always available: No time zone conflicts, no sick days. You can push content around the clock.
Buzz factor: AI influencers stand out. Collaborating with one can make people stop scrolling and pay attention.
Easy to scale: One digital creator can be styled for multiple campaigns, languages, and regions.
That’s why brands like Prada, Samsung, and even IKEA are experimenting with virtual influencer campaigns.
Are Virtual Influencers Driving Results?
Let’s look at top AI influencers in 2025, like Lil Miquela. She has over two million followers and has collaborated with brands like Calvin Klein, Prada, and Samsung. Her posts generate serious engagement, often outperforming micro-influencers.
And then there’s Imma, a virtual model from Japan with campaigns for Puma, IKEA, and Valentino. Her content is clean, minimal, and highly stylized, and her followers are hooked.
These AI influencers aren’t just pulling likes. They’re building fandoms and turning curiosity into clicks. That’s why they’re on D2C brands’ radar.
What Are the Benefits for D2C Brands?
These are some of the key benefits of AI influencers for marketing, especially for D2C brands.
1. Tighter Control Over Messaging
AI influencers allow you to shape the exact message and vibe you want. Every caption, every frame, every outfit—it’s all pre-approved. For brands with strict visual guidelines or sensitive messaging, this control is gold.
2. Lower Long-Term Cost
Hiring human creators involves ongoing fees, travel, and scheduling. Once built, an AI influencer can be reused across campaigns, often bringing down the cost per asset over time.
3. Good for Product Launches
Need to generate buzz for a new drop? An AI influencer can make your campaign feel futuristic, bold, or quirky—whatever suits your brand. Their novelty alone can get attention.
4. Local-Friendly Content
AI influencers can be styled and shot in any environment without needing to be physically present. You can build market-specific content without hiring separate creators for each region.
All these are substantial benefits for marketing, especially when paired with the right strategy.
But there are some downsides too:
1. They Lack Lived Experience
Let’s be honest: an AI influencer doesn’t use your product. They can pose with it, but they can’t share a real skincare routine or talk about how something feels. For brands that rely on personal reviews, this can be a drawback.
2. Engagement Might Not Convert
While AI influencers can pull in likes and comments, the trust factor isn’t always the same. People buy from people they relate to, and AI influencers still struggle to build a deep emotional connection.
3. Legal and Ethical Concerns
Ownership, usage rights, and disclosure rules are still evolving. If you're partnering with a third-party AI influencer, you’ll want contracts that clearly spell out usage rights and responsibilities.
Should You Include Virtual Influencers in Your Mix?
It depends on your goal.
Use AI influencers if:
You’re launching a new product or entering a new market and want to create buzz.
Your brand image leans toward tech, fashion, design, or futurism.
You want complete creative control over campaign visuals and messaging.
Stick with human influencers if:
Your product relies on personal testimonials or everyday use cases.
Your audience values authenticity and relatability.
You want to build a long-term creator community that evolves with your brand.
Most brands don’t need to pick sides. AI in influencer marketing isn’t replacing human creators. It’s adding more options to your toolkit.
Free Tool You May Need: Free Influencer Pricing Calculator |
Thinking of Trying AI Influencers?
Here’s how to start:
1. Test Before You Commit
Start with a short campaign or seasonal drop. See how your audience responds before locking in a long-term strategy.
2. Choose the Right Creator
Not all AI influencers are built the same. Find one that fits your aesthetic. Analyze their audience and find one that fits your target demographic. For example, fashion, skincare, and tech brands tend to see the most success.
3. Disclose Everything
Be clear that your creator is virtual. Transparency builds trust and prevents backlash.
4. Track Results
Use tracking links, discount codes, and influencer tools like impulze.ai to monitor performance. Compare metrics with your human-led campaigns. This will help you decide whether to scale or put the idea on hold.
Final Thoughts
AI influencers are here to stay. But they’re not a replacement for real creators. They’re just expanding the creative horizon.
For D2C brands, they offer a chance to experiment and push boundaries while maintaining control. But they shouldn’t carry your entire strategy. Balance creativity with connection. Use AI influencers to capture attention, and human creators to build lasting loyalty.
AI influencers are everywhere. From perfectly styled Instagram posts to viral brand collabs, AI influencers are showing up across industries.
As a D2C brand, you’ve probably wondered: are these digital faces worth betting on?
Or is it all just hype?
Let’s get into what AI influencers bring to the table and whether they deserve a spot in your influencer strategy.
What Are AI Influencers?
AI influencers, also known as virtual creators, are computer-generated personalities that act like real people on social media.
Some are animated avatars, while others are hyper-realistic CGI models. They post, comment, promote brands, and even “interact” with their followers through scripted content.
Most of them are upfront about being artificial, but that doesn’t stop fans from treating them like any other influencer. Think of it as a well-managed character; one that’s always on-brand, never late, and can wear anything your designer imagines.
Why Are D2C Brands Paying Attention?
Here’s why virtual influencers for D2C brands are gaining traction:
Control and reliability: They don’t miss deadlines or go off-script. Every word and image can be planned.
Always available: No time zone conflicts, no sick days. You can push content around the clock.
Buzz factor: AI influencers stand out. Collaborating with one can make people stop scrolling and pay attention.
Easy to scale: One digital creator can be styled for multiple campaigns, languages, and regions.
That’s why brands like Prada, Samsung, and even IKEA are experimenting with virtual influencer campaigns.
Are Virtual Influencers Driving Results?
Let’s look at top AI influencers in 2025, like Lil Miquela. She has over two million followers and has collaborated with brands like Calvin Klein, Prada, and Samsung. Her posts generate serious engagement, often outperforming micro-influencers.
And then there’s Imma, a virtual model from Japan with campaigns for Puma, IKEA, and Valentino. Her content is clean, minimal, and highly stylized, and her followers are hooked.
These AI influencers aren’t just pulling likes. They’re building fandoms and turning curiosity into clicks. That’s why they’re on D2C brands’ radar.
What Are the Benefits for D2C Brands?
These are some of the key benefits of AI influencers for marketing, especially for D2C brands.
1. Tighter Control Over Messaging
AI influencers allow you to shape the exact message and vibe you want. Every caption, every frame, every outfit—it’s all pre-approved. For brands with strict visual guidelines or sensitive messaging, this control is gold.
2. Lower Long-Term Cost
Hiring human creators involves ongoing fees, travel, and scheduling. Once built, an AI influencer can be reused across campaigns, often bringing down the cost per asset over time.
3. Good for Product Launches
Need to generate buzz for a new drop? An AI influencer can make your campaign feel futuristic, bold, or quirky—whatever suits your brand. Their novelty alone can get attention.
4. Local-Friendly Content
AI influencers can be styled and shot in any environment without needing to be physically present. You can build market-specific content without hiring separate creators for each region.
All these are substantial benefits for marketing, especially when paired with the right strategy.
But there are some downsides too:
1. They Lack Lived Experience
Let’s be honest: an AI influencer doesn’t use your product. They can pose with it, but they can’t share a real skincare routine or talk about how something feels. For brands that rely on personal reviews, this can be a drawback.
2. Engagement Might Not Convert
While AI influencers can pull in likes and comments, the trust factor isn’t always the same. People buy from people they relate to, and AI influencers still struggle to build a deep emotional connection.
3. Legal and Ethical Concerns
Ownership, usage rights, and disclosure rules are still evolving. If you're partnering with a third-party AI influencer, you’ll want contracts that clearly spell out usage rights and responsibilities.
Should You Include Virtual Influencers in Your Mix?
It depends on your goal.
Use AI influencers if:
You’re launching a new product or entering a new market and want to create buzz.
Your brand image leans toward tech, fashion, design, or futurism.
You want complete creative control over campaign visuals and messaging.
Stick with human influencers if:
Your product relies on personal testimonials or everyday use cases.
Your audience values authenticity and relatability.
You want to build a long-term creator community that evolves with your brand.
Most brands don’t need to pick sides. AI in influencer marketing isn’t replacing human creators. It’s adding more options to your toolkit.
Free Tool You May Need: Free Influencer Pricing Calculator |
Thinking of Trying AI Influencers?
Here’s how to start:
1. Test Before You Commit
Start with a short campaign or seasonal drop. See how your audience responds before locking in a long-term strategy.
2. Choose the Right Creator
Not all AI influencers are built the same. Find one that fits your aesthetic. Analyze their audience and find one that fits your target demographic. For example, fashion, skincare, and tech brands tend to see the most success.
3. Disclose Everything
Be clear that your creator is virtual. Transparency builds trust and prevents backlash.
4. Track Results
Use tracking links, discount codes, and influencer tools like impulze.ai to monitor performance. Compare metrics with your human-led campaigns. This will help you decide whether to scale or put the idea on hold.
Final Thoughts
AI influencers are here to stay. But they’re not a replacement for real creators. They’re just expanding the creative horizon.
For D2C brands, they offer a chance to experiment and push boundaries while maintaining control. But they shouldn’t carry your entire strategy. Balance creativity with connection. Use AI influencers to capture attention, and human creators to build lasting loyalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should brands work with virtual influencers?
Should brands work with virtual influencers?
Should brands work with virtual influencers?
How do brands use virtual influencers?
How do brands use virtual influencers?
How do brands use virtual influencers?
Who is the famous AI influencer?
Who is the famous AI influencer?
Who is the famous AI influencer?
What is an AI influencer?
What is an AI influencer?
What is an AI influencer?
How much do AI influencers make?
How much do AI influencers make?
How much do AI influencers make?
Who is the highest paid AI influencer?
Who is the highest paid AI influencer?
Who is the highest paid AI influencer?
Author Bio
Author Bio
Aishwarya Taskar
Aishwarya Taskar
Aishwarya Taskar is a full-time writer. She has studied journalism and marketing. In her free time, she loves watching films and spending time with animals. You can learn more about her here.
Aishwarya Taskar is a full-time writer. She has studied journalism and marketing. In her free time, she loves watching films and spending time with animals. You can learn more about her here.
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Find, analyze, and contact influencers from a database of over 250 million profiles.
Find, analyze, and contact influencers from a database of over 250 million profiles.
Find, analyze, and contact influencers from a database of over 250 million profiles.
Join over 15000+ SocialiQ users who have installed this free Chrome extension to search, analyze, save, and contact influencers directly on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
20K+ Active Users
May be Later
Join over 15000+ SocialiQ users who have installed this free Chrome extension to search, analyze, save, and contact influencers directly on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
20K+ Active Users
May be Later
Join over 15000+ SocialiQ users who have installed this free Chrome extension to search, analyze, save, and contact influencers directly on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
20K+ Active Users
May be Later