B2B Social Media and Influencer Marketing 2026

How Trusted Voices Shape B2B Buyer Research and AI Discovery

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About This Report
B2B buyers rely on experts, customers, and peers to evaluate vendors. This report examines how trusted voices shape buyer research and AI-driven discovery and whether paid social investment and influencer programs are keeping pace with buyer behavior.
Table of Contents

B2B brands build credibility beyond their own messaging. As buyers increasingly rely on outside validation—and AI systems cite many of the same third-party sources—marketers need to understand how those sources shape visibility, influencer strategy, and measurement.

Key Question: How can B2B marketers adapt their social and influencer strategies as buyers and AI systems place more weight on outside sources?

Key Stat: In the next 12 months, 77% of B2B marketers worldwide plan to increase paid social investment.

authors

Kelsey Voss

Contributors

Jennifer Pearson
VP, Research
Heather Sprung
Director, Report Editing
Tracy Tang
Sakina Thanawala
Copy Editor
Johann Valderrama
Data Visualization Editor
Emman Velasco
Data Visualization Editor
Max Willens
Yoram Wurmser
Principal Analyst
Ali Young
Senior Copy Editor and Manager of Content Operations
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