Educational Influencers on Instagram: Analysis of Educational Channels, Audiences, and Economic Performance

Influencers have positioned themselves as opinion leaders capable of influencing large social groups, extending their presence to areas such as education. Instagram is one of the most consolidated social networks focused on the image where citizens interested in educational areas can find informatio...

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Main Authors: Javier Gil-Quintana, Emilio Vida de León
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-09-01
Series:Publications
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6775/9/4/43
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author Javier Gil-Quintana
Emilio Vida de León
author_facet Javier Gil-Quintana
Emilio Vida de León
author_sort Javier Gil-Quintana
collection DOAJ
description Influencers have positioned themselves as opinion leaders capable of influencing large social groups, extending their presence to areas such as education. Instagram is one of the most consolidated social networks focused on the image where citizens interested in educational areas can find information from specialized channels on this topic. The purpose of this study is to analyze, during the period of confinement by COVID-19, the use of Instagram by educational influencers to consolidate their channel in new audiences, influence through interaction with their followers and create their transmedia production. Using a mixed methodological approach, a descriptive analysis of a sample of 810,200 users and a content analysis of 13 profiles of educational influencers is applied. The results show educational influencers as true experts in the use of Instagram, managing visually pleasing and harmonious profiles for new audiences. These influencers reach a large number of users, mostly women between the ages of 25 and 45 with an interest in “motherhood” on the platform. Educational influencers use digital marketing codes in their social networks, with a communicative style adapted to this type of space that seeks to increase the interaction and participation of new audiences and, as a consequence, economic profitability. There is a high number of influencers whose objective is to share educational resources, using their accounts as showcases for their transmedia educational production and for the sale or promotion of their productions and creations.
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spelling doaj.art-f81e3f21e23a449da3dffcac312dc0e02023-11-23T10:20:30ZengMDPI AGPublications2304-67752021-09-01944310.3390/publications9040043Educational Influencers on Instagram: Analysis of Educational Channels, Audiences, and Economic PerformanceJavier Gil-Quintana0Emilio Vida de León1Department of Didactics, School Organization and Special Didactics, National University of Distance Education, 28040 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Didactics, School Organization and Special Didactics, National University of Distance Education, 28040 Madrid, SpainInfluencers have positioned themselves as opinion leaders capable of influencing large social groups, extending their presence to areas such as education. Instagram is one of the most consolidated social networks focused on the image where citizens interested in educational areas can find information from specialized channels on this topic. The purpose of this study is to analyze, during the period of confinement by COVID-19, the use of Instagram by educational influencers to consolidate their channel in new audiences, influence through interaction with their followers and create their transmedia production. Using a mixed methodological approach, a descriptive analysis of a sample of 810,200 users and a content analysis of 13 profiles of educational influencers is applied. The results show educational influencers as true experts in the use of Instagram, managing visually pleasing and harmonious profiles for new audiences. These influencers reach a large number of users, mostly women between the ages of 25 and 45 with an interest in “motherhood” on the platform. Educational influencers use digital marketing codes in their social networks, with a communicative style adapted to this type of space that seeks to increase the interaction and participation of new audiences and, as a consequence, economic profitability. There is a high number of influencers whose objective is to share educational resources, using their accounts as showcases for their transmedia educational production and for the sale or promotion of their productions and creations.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6775/9/4/43Instagrameducational influencerscommunicationsocial medianew audiencestransmedia production
spellingShingle Javier Gil-Quintana
Emilio Vida de León
Educational Influencers on Instagram: Analysis of Educational Channels, Audiences, and Economic Performance
Publications
Instagram
educational influencers
communication
social media
new audiences
transmedia production
title Educational Influencers on Instagram: Analysis of Educational Channels, Audiences, and Economic Performance
title_full Educational Influencers on Instagram: Analysis of Educational Channels, Audiences, and Economic Performance
title_fullStr Educational Influencers on Instagram: Analysis of Educational Channels, Audiences, and Economic Performance
title_full_unstemmed Educational Influencers on Instagram: Analysis of Educational Channels, Audiences, and Economic Performance
title_short Educational Influencers on Instagram: Analysis of Educational Channels, Audiences, and Economic Performance
title_sort educational influencers on instagram analysis of educational channels audiences and economic performance
topic Instagram
educational influencers
communication
social media
new audiences
transmedia production
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6775/9/4/43
work_keys_str_mv AT javiergilquintana educationalinfluencersoninstagramanalysisofeducationalchannelsaudiencesandeconomicperformance
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