Global Advances in Business Studies
Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025): Global Advances in Business Studies (GABS)

From likes to loyalty: a netnographic study on trust-building in influencer-audience interactions on social media

Fabeil, Noor Fzlinda (Unknown)
Usman, Zaiton (Unknown)
Wijaya, Riesanti Edie (Unknown)
Mauliyah, Nur Ika (Unknown)
Harkaneri (Unknown)
Siddiqui, Bushra (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
25 Mar 2025

Abstract

This study explores the key themes of trust-building in influencer-audience interactions on social media using a netnographic study. Living netnography explores trust-building, not just based on the actual posting in the social media, but through spiritual paradigm, that might construct the reality and values of trust. The analysis draws on three weeks of observational data from Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok, focusing on three influencers from different cultural and regional backgrounds. By lurking at the audiences’ comments and emojis on the influencer’s posting, this study provides five clusters of trust-building based on relevant codes emerged from the data. The findings suggest authenticity, emotional engagement, responsiveness, economic inclusivity and religiosity have explained the meaning of trust. By integrating theoretical and practical insights, the study provides a schematic framework for fostering trust in influencer marketing, highlighting the importance of cultural values in digital environment from the non-Western context perspective.

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

gabs

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

Global Advances in Business Studies (GABS) is an international, double-blind peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by Ifma Publishing. GABS aims to provide a valuable outlet for research on business-orientated themes and topics. It publishes articles of a multi-disciplinary and ...