India's creator economy triples in 5 years—fashion, gaming influencers lead
What's the story
India's creator economy has seen a major growth in the last five years, with the number of influencers growing to over four million from under a million in 2020. The data was shared in a report by Qoruz, an influencer marketing platform. The study found fashion, gaming, and arts and entertainment to be the top three categories fueling this growth.
Dominant sector
Take a look at the figures
The Qoruz report also predicts fashion, gaming, and arts and entertainment will remain at the forefront of India's creator economy. Currently, fashion influencers dominate the top position with 470,000 people in 2025. The gaming industry closely follows with 467,000 creators while arts & entertainment is projected to touch a number of 430,000 influencers by year-end.
Brand partnership
Influencers: A new marketing strategy for brands
The rise of influencers, those with public Instagram accounts with over 1,000 followers and serving specific niches, offers brands the opportunity to leverage their social media fame for product promotion. In a press statement, Aditya Gurwara, co-founder and head of Brand Alliances at Qoruz, said influencers are no longer just endorsers—they're strategic partners who create authentic content that resonates deeply with audiences.
Market growth
Influencer marketing industry set to reach ₹3,375 crore
The influencer marketing industry in India is expected to grow from ₹2,344 crore last year to ₹3,375 crore in 2026. This is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on the creator economy being key to a $5-trillion economy. Gurwara further emphasized that growth in categories such as gaming, travel and lifestyle are golden opportunities for brands looking to align with creators who truly know their audiences.