How To Find Instagram Influencers In Your Niche

Influencers are like the trusted friends you turn to for recommendations—except they have thousands (or millions) of followers. People trust them, and for good reason.

A study found that 92% of consumers are more likely to trust an influencer than traditional ads.  

That’s the kind of influence you want on your side. In niche markets, this trust becomes even more valuable.

For example, if your brand operates in the sustainable fashion space, collaborating with influencers passionate about eco-friendly living will position your products as credible and desirable.

Influencers bring a human element to your marketing efforts, which can lead to stronger brand loyalty and higher returns on investment.

Define Your Goals and Audience

Before you start hunting for influencers, you need a game plan. If you are in ecommerce, check out how a B2B Consultant can help.

Ask yourself: What do I want out of this campaign? More brand awareness? Higher engagement? Cold, hard sales?

Your goal will shape the kind of influencer you should target. Equally important is knowing your audience.

What age group do they fall into? What are their interests and pain points? Use tools like Instagram Insights to understand where you audience is.

The better you know your audience, the easier it’ll be to match them with influencers they’ll connect with.

Use Specialized Tools for Influencer Discovery

Why waste hours scrolling when specialized tools can do the heavy lifting?

These tools not only help you discover influencers but also provide data on their performance, audience demographics, and engagement rates.  Here are some top options:

Modash.io

This platform is a powerhouse when it comes to finding influencers in specific niches.

It doesn’t just spit out a list of names; it provides detailed insights into audience demographics and engagement. So give Modash.io a look.

Infludata

If you love having options and the ability to filter down to the nitty-gritty, Infludata is your go-to.

Its robust filtering system allows you to refine your search based on location, follower count, engagement rate, and even audience interests.

The level of precision here is next-level, and it can help you discover hidden gems you wouldn’t have found otherwise.

BrandMentions

Staying in the loop is crucial, and BrandMentions keeps you updated on who’s making waves in your industry.

This tool goes beyond the basics, tracking mentions and providing context about the influencer’s relevance.

Flowbox

Flowbox tool is perfect for digging deeper into an influencer’s content performance.

It analyzes their posts, stories, and overall reach, giving you a comprehensive view of how well they’re likely to perform for your brand.

By using these tools, you can refine your search and focus on influencers who are not only popular but also effective in driving engagement and conversions within your niche.

Search Manually on Instagram

Sometimes, a good old-fashioned Instagram search is the way to go. Start by exploring hashtags relevant to your niche.

For instance, if you’re in the fitness industry, hashtags like #FitFam or #WorkoutMotivation can lead you to influencers who actively engage with your target audience.

Once you identify potential influencers, take a deep dive into their profiles. Look for content that aligns with your brand’s aesthetic and messaging.

But don’t just skim the surface. Pay attention to:

Consistency in Posting

Check their posting habits—are they consistent or sporadic? Influencers who post regularly are more likely to have an engaged audience.

The more often influencers post quality content, the more likely they are to stay in their followers’ feeds.

You don’t want someone who’s just dipping their toes in—you need someone who’s diving headfirst into the deep end.

Authenticity

Instagram is overflowing with people trying to look perfect.

The ones who stand out? They’re the ones who admit their mistakes, share their quirks, and aren’t afraid to show the not-so-glamorous parts of their lives.

These influencers are like the friend who keeps it real, and their audiences love them for it. Their followers trust them, and that trust transfers to your brand when you partner up.

Content Variety

Now, if you think Instagram success is all about static posts, think again.

Influencers who use a mix of posts, stories, and reels tend to keep their audience engaged over time.

This kind of variety not only keeps the audience engaged but also plays into Instagram’s algorithm.

The more formats an influencer uses, the more likely their content is to be pushed to a wider audience.

Plus, it shows versatility. If they can nail different types of content, it’s a good sign they’ll be able to adapt their style to fit your brand seamlessly.

Leverage Competitor Research

Why reinvent the wheel when you can learn from your competitors? Take a look at who they’re working with and how those partnerships are performing.

Are they hitting the mark, or is there room for improvement? Competitor research can also reveal gaps or opportunities.

If your rivals are all-in on big-name influencers, you could focus on micro-influencers with tighter, more engaged communities.

By studying your competitors’ campaigns, you can develop a more refined and unique influencer marketing strategy.

Evaluate Influencers Thoroughly

Now that you’ve got a shortlist, it’s time to do some detective work. Don’t get dazzled by follower counts alone; dig deeper into the metrics that matter:

Engagement Rate

A high engagement rate indicates an active and loyal audience. Aim for influencers with engagement rates of at least 1.5% to 3%.

Thousands of followers mean zilch if only a handful of them are liking, commenting, or sharing their content.

A healthy engagement rate indicates that their audience is actively paying attention, which is exactly what you want when they start promoting your brand.

Follower Authenticity

Use platforms like HypeAuditor or Social Blade to check for fake followers.

Authentic influencers attract genuine followers who are more likely to engage and convert.

The last thing you want is to partner with someone whose followers consist of bots, inactive accounts, or people who couldn’t care less about your niche.

These tools can save you from wasting money on an influencer whose impact is more smoke and mirrors than real substance.

Content Quality

This is the big one.

The influencer’s content is what will represent your brand, so it needs to be top-tier.

Scroll through their feed and ask yourself: Is their content visually appealing? Are their captions engaging and well-written?

If their posts look like they were thrown together in five minutes, that’s a major red flag.

You’re looking for polished content that showcases creativity, effort, and a deep understanding of their audience.

Professionalism

You wouldn’t hire someone without checking their references, right?

Review their past collaborations to assess how professionally they handled brand partnerships, including disclosure of sponsorships and adherence to campaign guidelines.

Did they deliver what was promised? Were their posts timely, well-crafted, and compliant with advertising guidelines?

The influencer’s track record can tell you a lot about how your collaboration will unfold.

Remember, you’re not just buying exposure—you’re entering a partnership, and professionalism is key.

Build Authentic Relationships

The best influencer partnerships are built on mutual respect and shared values.

Before you even pitch a collaboration, start by engaging with their content. Like their posts, leave thoughtful comments, and share their stories.

This shows that you’re genuinely interested in their work, which can lead to a more positive and authentic collaboration.

When you’re ready to reach out, make it personal. Mention specific posts or campaigns that resonated with you and explain why you believe they’re a perfect fit for your brand.

Influencers appreciate thoughtful pitches, and this approach sets the stage for a strong partnership.

Test and Iterate

The work doesn’t stop once your campaign goes live.

Keep a close eye on the metrics—engagement, traffic, conversions—and be ready to tweak your strategy if needed.

Not every influencer will be a home run, and that’s okay. Use the data to learn and refine your approach.

Influencer marketing is an ongoing process, and the best campaigns are those that evolve over time.

Stay flexible, keep experimenting, and you’ll find the formula that works for your brand.

Let’s Wrap It Up

Mastering how to find Instagram influencers in your niche requires a strategic mix of research, tools, and relationship-building.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to discover influencers who can authentically promote your brand to the right audience.

At Alterior Digital, we emphasize the importance of quality over quantity—focusing on partnerships that drive real value for both sides.

And if you want to show up Higher on Google, then don’t hesitate to reach out.