Indian influencers earn 35% more from product sales in 2026

New Delhi: Indian content creators are increasingly monetising their audiences through product sales, with influencer earnings from branded product sales rising by more than 35% in 2026, according to a study by creator monetisation platform Trendweave. The study, based on an analysis of over four million orders placed by followers, found that sales generated through influencers in India increased by more than 28% year-on-year during the first half of 2026. Trendweave attributed the growth to India's mobile-first digital ecosystem and the increasing use of shopping features on platforms such as Instagram. Fashion remained the biggest revenue generator for creators, accounting for 30% of their total earnings from product sales. It was followed by home goods (13%), household appliances and electronics (11%), personal care and pharmacy products (10%), sports goods (7%), online services (5%), children's products (5%), airline tickets (4%), event tickets and entertainment (4%), financial products (3%) and hotel bookings (3%). While fashion continues to dominate, some categories recorded faster growth in creator earnings. Revenue from airline ticket sales increased by 42% in 2026, followed by online services, including B2B, IT, education and delivery platforms, which grew 40%. Financial products recorded 35% growth, while books and fashion grew 25% and 23%, respectively. The report also points to a shift in creator preferences. According to Trendweave, the number of fashion-focused influencers declined by nearly one-third in 2026, while more creators moved into niche categories. The number of influencers promoting online services increased by 20%, followed by books and stationery (16%), sports goods (14%), and travel-related products (10%). The study found that Instagram users spend the most on influencer recommendations, with the average purchase exceeding $31. Pinterest followed with an average order value of $30, while purchases driven through messaging platforms averaged $27. Average spending was lower on Facebook ($21.8), X ($18.7), and YouTube ($15). Trendweave said creators are increasingly diversifying their revenue streams beyond fixed campaign fees by combining affiliate commissions, performance-based partnerships, and brand ambassador deals. Some are also launching their own products, either independently or in collaboration with brands. Commenting on the findings, Samrat Dutta, Managing Director, Mitgo APAC, said, "According to Trendweave, which helps influencers earn through affiliate commerce, fixed campaigns, and performance-based partnerships, this hybrid monetisation model is becoming increasingly common among creators producing shoppable content. The number of influencer partners in India increased by 15% in 2026." Trendweave expects influencer-led commerce to continue expanding, forecasting that sales generated through Indian creators could grow by more than 30% by the end of 2026, while creator earnings from product sales could increase by over 45%.