YouTube has become one of the most powerful platforms for influencer marketing. Whether you’re launching a new product, looking to raise brand awareness, or seeking content collaboration, finding the right YouTube influencers can significantly impact your campaign’s success. This guide shares 20 genuine and effective ways to discover YouTube influencers across different niches and audiences.
Over 70% of YouTube viewers say they are more likely to buy a product after seeing it recommended by their favorite YouTube creator.
20 Ways to Find Youtube Influencers
1. Use YouTube Search with Keywords
Start by using relevant keywords related to your niche in YouTube’s search bar. For example, if you’re marketing a fitness product, try keywords like “home workout routine” or “best protein shakes.” Sort results by views, upload date, or relevance to identify top-performing creators.
2. Use the YouTube Trending Page
Check the Trending section to spot emerging influencers. Although it’s generalized, you can filter by country or category to find viral creators within specific regions or topics.
3. Use YouTube’s “Related Channels” Feature
Visit a known influencer’s YouTube channel and explore the “Related Channels” section. YouTube’s algorithm suggests similar creators, helping you discover more influencers in the same niche.
4. Use Influencer Marketing Platforms
Leverage tools like Influencerdiscoveries, Upfluence, Heepsy, Aspire, and CreatorIQ. These platforms allow you to search by audience size, engagement rate, demographics, and niche, making influencer discovery highly targeted.
5. Try Social Listening Tools
Tools like Brand24, Mention, or Awario can help monitor mentions of your brand or keywords across the web, including YouTube. This method uncovers influencers already talking about your niche organically.
6. Search on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is valuable for finding professional influencers and creators, especially in B2B influencer marketing niches. Search for job titles like “YouTube content creator” or “video marketer.”
7. Check Instagram Bios
Many YouTubers cross-promote their content on Instagram. By browsing niche-related hashtags or accounts, you may find influencers with YouTube links in their bios.
8. Use Twitter Search and Hashtags
Search Twitter using niche-specific hashtags and keywords like “#YouTubeBeauty” or “#TechReview.” Many creators share their videos here, providing another discovery channel.
9. Search Subreddits Related to Influencers
Subreddits like r/YouTubers or niche-specific forums often include self-promotion threads and recommendations. Engaging in these communities can lead to organic influencer discoveries.
10. Explore TikTok Creators Who Cross-Promote on YouTube
Look for TikTok influencers who link to their YouTube channels. Many short-form content creators expand their audience via long-form YouTube content.
11. Check YouTube Comments for Mentions
Viewers often reference or recommend other influencers in the comments. Browsing through comments can lead you to other creators in the same space.
12. Use Google Search Operators
Advanced search operators like site:youtube.com "product review" or intitle:review + niche help uncover relevant videos and channels via Google.
13. Watch Niche Podcasts and Interviews
YouTubers often appear in podcasts or live streams. These appearances help you identify creators who are active in your niche and open to collaborations.
14. Look at Influencer Collaboration Videos
Search for terms like “collab with” or “featuring” on YouTube to find videos where influencers team up. These videos often link to collaborators’ channels.
15. Use Influencer Marketplaces and Agencies
Join marketplaces like GRIN, Shoutcart, or Intellifluence that list available influencers by platform and industry. These platforms simplify outreach and negotiation.
16. Attend Virtual Events or Webinars
Many YouTube creators speak at or attend industry events and webinars. These events often share influencer insights and provide networking opportunities.
17. Explore Facebook Groups or Discord Communities
Communities for creators, marketers, and specific industries often share influencer recommendations. Join relevant groups to connect and discover creators organically.
18. Use TubeBuddy or VidIQ
These browser extensions provide in-depth analytics on YouTube channels and videos. Discover trending tags, engagement metrics, and high-performing channels in your niche.
19. Monitor Brand Mentions or Reviews
Search YouTube for your brand or product mentions. Content creators already reviewing or using your product are prime candidates for future partnerships.
20. Analyze Competitor Collaborations
Watch videos from your competitors and note which influencers they’ve collaborated with. You can target similar creators for your campaigns.
Conclusion:
Finding the right YouTube influencers takes time, research, and the right tools. By combining manual discovery methods with data-driven platforms and social insights, you can build a powerful network of creators to help amplify your brand. Start by exploring a few of the methods listed above and refine your outreach strategy as you go.