Influencer marketing has been picking up steam all year, with brands increasingly making it a core marketing tactic. Yes, there are still hurdles to overcome, like finding an influencer who isn’t likely to start ranting about something inappropriate or engage in deceptive business practices. It’s also difficult navigating a quickly evolving landscape and figuring out which platform is best for marketers.

However, as results from early efforts start to roll in, there’s growing evidence of influencers’ crucial role in engaging those young consumers who might otherwise not be exposed to a brand. As these groups watch less TV and ignore ads more often, the tactic is becoming a must-have for many marketers. In fact, those that have been active in this area for some time report that content created by influencers outperforms what’s developed professionally.

Marketing Dive explores these issues and more in the articles below.

1. How to get started in influencer marketing

   For any holdouts to the red-hot strategy, here are the key considerations to keep in mind before taking the leap. Read More >>

2. Why influencer marketing has become a moving target

   Creators may decide to migrate from one platform to another with little warning. The brands that work with them need to be ready. Read More >>

3. [Infographic] 7 major influencer marketing touchstones

   A brief history of influencer marketing by platform, power players and the events that have defined its trajectory. Read More >>

4. Brands need to fire up influencers during the holidays, study says

   Social influencers are an important target audience to reach and engage as shoppers make their gift lists, according to Experian. Read More >>

5. Facebook launches Creator tools for mobile influencers

   The social network appears to be competing more directly with Google's YouTube. Read More >>

6. Insta-fakers: When fraud hits influencer marketing

   The now-mainstream tactic is increasingly blemished by bots and bought likes, pointing to a potentially broken system. Read More >>

7. Dell taps 'gamer grandpa' and unexpected influencers in new campaign

   The tech company aimed to reshape consumers' perception of gamers for the Black Friday shopping surge. Read More >>