e-Jurnal Apresiasi Ekonomi
Vol 14, No 2 (2026)

BRAND TRUST MEDIATING THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING, INFLUENCER CREDIBILITY, AND ONLINE REVIEWS ON PURCHASE INTENTION

Zulfadli Zulfadli (Universitas Riau Kepulauan)
Tibrani Tibrani (Universitas Riau Kepulauan)
Rona Tanjung (Universitas Riau Kepulauan)
Surya Kusumah (STIE Pembangunan Tanjungpinang)
Mohd Asmadi (Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia)



Article Info

Publish Date
03 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study examines the effects of influencer credibility and online customer reviews on purchase intention through the mediating role of brand trust in social commerce. A quantitative approach was employed using survey data collected from 200 respondents in Batam, Indonesia, who actively engage in social commerce and have experience with influencer-based purchases and online reviews. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that both influencer credibility and online customer reviews significantly influence brand trust, with online customer reviews exerting a stronger effect. Brand trust, in turn, has a significant positive impact on purchase intention and serves as a key mediating mechanism between the independent variables and purchase intention. Although influencer credibility and online customer reviews also directly affect purchase intention, their indirect effects through brand trust are stronger. These results suggest that trust plays a crucial role in converting digital engagement into purchase intention. The study contributes to the social commerce literature and provides practical implications for marketers seeking to develop credible and trust-oriented digital marketing strategies. Keywords : Influencer Credibility, Online Customer Reviews, Brand Trust, Purchase Intention

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Journal Info

Abbrev

apresiasiekonomi

Publisher

Subject

Decision Sciences, Operations Research & Management Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

topics that will be published in this journal are: 1. Development theory and application of management science; 2. Study of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship development; 3. Development and research on applying the theory of business science 4. Community economic development. But the other ...