Top 25 Social Media Influencers in the Middle East

Top 25 Social Media Influencers in the Middle East

Social media influencers are users of one or more social media platforms who have amassed large followings that are continuously engaged with their content. Coming from a variety of backgrounds – with some of them being reality TV stars, makeup artists, or fitness gurus – they curate and post content that highlights items, hobbies, activities, or places.

Often, influencer posts are sponsored by larger companies who offer payments for the advertising service or offer commissions based on the activity of people who have engaged with the social media posts and then completed the action desired by the company. These actions could include purchasing the advertised product, attending an advertised event or subscribing to a service.

These ads rely on subvert messaging in the form of personal endorsement. Social media influencers are unique in that they have established strong authenticity and credibility in the eyes of their followers, to the extent that even simply visiting a place and posting it on their Instagram is sufficient to refer others to spend money.

The Middle East has one of the youngest populations in the world. With a whopping total of 108 million people, more than 28 percent of the region’s population are between the ages of 15 and 29. Young people are the fastest growing demographic in this region, with a median age of 22 years old, compared to the global average of 28 years old. With the majority of younger generations moving towards smartphones, there has been a clear increase in the influence of social media in the lives of young Middle Easterners. Social media is a way to learn every day what is new and trending in the world, and participate in these trends to gain social acceptance and popularity.

In 2015, there were 25 million Instagram users in the Middle East. Since this statistic was recorded, this number is sure to have increased tremendously. Saudi Arabia has the most users in the region per capita. It is thus natural that with the emergence of social media in the Middle East, there has been a boom of the region’s social media influencers. As the influence of lifestyle bloggers in the Middle East becomes more entrenched, it is also opening the doors for companies to reach new buyers in various markets. Below are some of the most popular and successful social media influencers.

Looking for the Middle East’s top influencers?
Download the list of the “Top 25 Arab Influencers.”