Have you ever wanted to be a TikTok influencer? You are not alone. Some of the TikTok influencers make thousands of dollars daily from sponsored posts and recommended content. Not to mention that they inspire the entire social media platform community with their creativity.
What is the fastest way to become an influencer? Learn from the professionals!
We have compiled a list of the best TikTok influencers in 2023 so you can get an idea of who is making a splash on TikTok and how to start your influencer marketing program.
Who is a TikTok influencer?
A TikTok influencer is technically defined as a person who has 1,000 or more followers on TikTok. While TikTok influencers have great reach and the potential to become famous, they are also tasked with creating content that resonates with their audience. Influencers can use sponsored posts, product placement, or other partnerships to make money from TikTok.
The TikTok platform has launched the TikTok Creator Fund, an affiliate program that pays content creators for their content. To qualify for the TikTok Creator Fund, you need to have at least 100,000 followers and 100,000 video views in the last 30 days. This can be a great way to monetize your TikTok profile and advance your TikTok career.
10 Most Influential People on TikTok in 2023
From fashion and beauty to comedy and music, TikTok is home to an incredibly diverse range of influencers. Here are the 10 most influential people on TikTok in 2023.
1. Charlie D’amelio, @charlidamelio (148.7 million)
@charlidamelio @Markell Washington dc @KARA
Charlie D’Amelio is originally from Connecticut and is the most followed TikTok influencer. In 2019, she started posting dance videos to popular songs on TikTok and quickly rose to fame. She now has about 150 million subscribers and her content consists of vlogs, sketches and dance challenges.
But Charlie didn’t let her success stop at TikTok. She has her own perfume line, sponsored gigs with EOS and Hollister, an original show on Hulu, and has even started releasing music.
In 2020, she became the youngest person ever to be on Fortune’s “40 Under 40 “list. Charlie has also appeared in other magazines such as Teen Vogue’s 2021 Time 100 Next and Young Hollywood Class.
Want to be like Charlie? A big part of Charlie’s appeal lies in her authenticity. To become a TikTok influencer, you must also be sincere and not apologetic about who you are. Whether you’re creating humorous videos or educating viewers, it’s important that your content comes from the heart.
2. Bella Poarch, @bellapoarch (92.4 million)
@bellapoarch Swarovski Jewelry makes everything better✨💛 @Swarovski #Swarovski #RevealYourFacets #SwarovskiLucent #ad
Previously ranked third on most TikTok influencer lists, 25-year-old Bella Poarch has gained immense fame on TikTok in a relatively short period of time.
Bella’s TikTok career began when she posted a lip-sync video of Millie B’s “M to the B” that quickly went viral. This TikTok has been the most followed TikTok in the history of TikTok with over 60 million likes.
In addition to lip syncing, dancing, and showing off her fashion style, Bella also posts cosplay content as well as some lifestyle content. Bella has also established herself musically with the release of her new EP Dolls. Not to mention, she has built a successful career on TikTok and has become one of the top TikTok influencers to follow.
If you want to follow in Bella’s footsteps and become a TikTok influencer yourself, it’s important to remember that TikTok success doesn’t happen overnight. You need to be patient and consistent with your TikTok content and gradually build up your audience. Find a niche you can focus on or combine different topics like fashion and games to create unique TikTok content.
Also, use the TikTok algorithm to your advantage by researching the most popular hashtags and trends to get more views and followers.
3. Addison Ray Easterling, @addisonre (88.7 million)
@addisonre Dc @Spencer Wattenberg
No list of TikTok influencers would be complete without mentioning Addison Rae Easterling. Coming to you from Louisiana, the TikTok star has been named one of the hottest social media stars by The New York Times.
Addison has amassed a huge following on TikTok through her lip-syncing videos and dance moves. She even created a TikTok dance group called The Hype House, which features TikTok stars like Charlie D’Amelio and Chase Hudson.
Her TikTok success has even led to signing with talent agency WME, several sponsored email deals with American Eagle, creating a podcast (Was It Fun? With Addison and Sheri), and a movie casting (He’s All That). Forbes named her one of the most influential people on TikTok in August 2020.
Addison’s secret to success? Consistency and variety. This 22-year-old TikTok star not only posts frequently, but also actively participates in TikTok, including TikTok Challenges and TikTok Live. She is constantly creating new content, giving her followers something they look forward to every time they open the app.
4. Zach King, @zachking (70.9 million)
@zachking Mad respect for anyone that is a street performer
Are you old enough to remember Vine? Well, if so, then you know Zach King. Zach originally made a name for himself on the short video sharing platform Vine before TikTok even existed. Zach is now one of the most influential people on TikTok and is an expert in creating illusions and mesmerizing videos through editing.
Zach’s TikTok account is unique in that he posts a wide range of content. From funny TikTok to high performance illusions, Zach always finds ways to surprise and captivate his audience. Brands are constantly hiring Zach, who has over 70 million followers, to create content for marketing campaigns.
What can you learn from Zach? Well, for starters, you can try experimenting with TikTok effects and filters to create interesting edits. You should also think of creative ways to engage your audience and also consider developing a brand identity to make your TikTok videos stand out.
5. Dixie D’Amelio, @dixiedamelio (57.5 million)
@dixiedamelio ❤️ @Sabrina Carpenter
Top TikTok influencer Dixie D’amelio has a name you’ll probably recognize. Why? Well, of course, she is the influential sister of TikTok #1 Charlie D’amelio.
But Dixie isn’t the type to be eclipsed by her younger sister. She is a singer and one of TikTok’s biggest influencers herself, receiving sponsorship deals from top brands like Hollister and Morphe. Dixie also released her first single “Be Happy “in June 2020 and appeared on the series Attaway General proving she can do anything.
Dixie is also on Hulu’s The D’Amelio Show, which explores the daily lives of Charlie, Dixie, their father Mark, and their mother Heidi.
If you want to follow in Dixie’s footsteps and become a TikTok influencer, it’s good to have a famous little sister (haha). Jokes aside, D’amelios is a prime example of how diversifying your content on and off TikTok can be an important part of becoming a permanent TikTok influencer.
6. Jason Derulo, @jasonderulo (56.6 million)
@jasonderulo Ppl get us mixed up all the time @joshvfx
♬ Jiggle Jiggle – Jason Derulo & Duke & Jones & Louis Theroux
Don’t lie, you voiced it, didn’t you? *Jasonn Deruuuuuuuu*
Singer, songwriter and dance machine Jason Derulo has become a TikTok superstar. With his great sense of humor and famous collaborations with TikTok stars like Zach King, the Lopez Brothers, Michael Le and Will Smith, it’s no wonder he has over 56 million TikTok followers. He even released a single called “Savage Love”with beatmaker Jawsh 685 in 2020, which was used to create TikTok challenges.
If you want to become a TikTok influencer like Jason Derulo, it’s important to find what makes you unique and focus on that. Collaborate with other TikTok stars and always remember to post interesting and engaging content.
7. Spencer Polanco Knight, @spencerx (55.3 million)
@spencerx Hiya, George 🗣🤡👋🏼
Self-proclaimed “spoken music man”Spencer Polanco Knight is one of TikTok’s most influential people. Born in New York, Spencer X has won the hearts of TikTok users around the world with his free beatboxing and music tracks.
His TikTok account, which currently has 55.3 million followers, first rose to fame after releasing two viral videos, one of him beatboxing 14 different genres, and the other featuring 20 custom sound effects – straight out of his mouth. He has also collaborated with famous music stars such as Alicia Keys, hip-hop artist Russ, Marshmello, Sean Kingston and TikTok stars Lopez Brothers.
Spencer X’s success on TikTok is largely due to his unique branding, commitment to creating quality content, and being part of the wider TikTok community by interacting with other users. He also knows his audience well, creating content tailored to the TikTok lifestyle and showcasing popular TikTok trends. This helped Spencer X become one of the most influential people on TikTok, gaining recognition from Forbes, Insider and other sources.
8. Lauren Gray, @lorengray (54.5 million)
@lorengray im usually the problem
Next up is 20-year-old Lauren Gray from Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Lauren is a TikTok star, singer and entrepreneur. She first rose to fame after gaining followers on Musical.ly prior to creating TikTok in 2017. Since then, her fan base has grown to over 54 million TikTok followers, 3.73 million YouTube followers and 23.6 million Instagram fans today.
Lauren is widely known for her creative content including lip syncing and original songs. In 2021, she signed with Virgin Records and has since released ten singles. Lauren has been able to partner with Revlon, Skechers, Hyundai, and Burger King through her TikTok fame. In December 2020, she launched her own jewelry brand &always.
Lauren is a good example of what happens when you start early and don’t give up. She has built an impressive career and fan base with TikTok as her primary platform.
9. Michael Jae, @justmaiko (52.3 million)
@justmaiko bring it over to my place.. dc me(:
Dancer and TikTok influencer Michael. Le, or JustMaiko, is a Florida native who has been Tiktokking since 2016. Michael is best known for his dance videos and tutorials in which he performs difficult moves with ease. He has collaborated with various other dancers, personalities and social media influencers such as Jason Derulo, Krissa Jackson and Mikayla J.
As a professional TikToker and instructor, Michael advocates for TikTok as a platform for aspiring dancers to showcase their talent. He is also a big family man and regularly features his two younger brothers in his videos, which are incredibly cute to be honest.
Michael combines his natural dance talent with his sense of humor and family values to create content that TikTok fans love.
10. Riyaz Ali, @riyaz.14 (45.4 million)
@riyaz.14 Oh hoy! ❤️🌹 #riyaz #duetwithriyaz ib: @sujanrae123
♬ MEMBA & EVAN GIIA – For Aisha (Featured in “The Sky Is Pink”) – Shweta Bhintade⚡️🖤
The youngest TikTok influencer on this list is Riyaz Ali, a 16-year-old TikToker and Bollywood actor. He has earned a huge TikTok fanbase of over 45 million followers thanks to his lip-synching and Bollywood-style dance videos.
Riyaz has gained celebrity status in his native India thanks to the TikTok platform. He has also appeared in several popular music videos including “Yaari Hai!!”Tony Kakkara! and “Pahadan”by Rajat Nagpal.
Riyaz is a great example of how finding your niche and staying consistent on TikTok can help you gain followers even if you’re only 16 years old!
How to become a TikTok influencer
While the ones listed above are TikTok stars, anyone can become a TikTok influencer with the right strategy, a little extra free time, and a bit of creativity. Here are some tips to help you become a TikTok influencer.
Find your niche
TikTok is full of content and it can be hard to stand out from the crowd if your videos aren’t unique. Finding an area you can specialize in will make it easier for people to recognize and follow your TikTok channel.
Just like Zach King is a TikTok special effects master and Riyaz Ali is a Bollywood star, you can find an area to specialize in and make it your own. TikTok influencers are most successful when they have a niche they can focus on and build their followers around.
@nilered Burning sulfur singes what’s left of my eyeballs #science #chemistry #nilered
Know your target market
This is marketing 101. If you know exactly who your audience is, you will have no problem creating videos that they will love. This may mean understanding the age, gender, and interests of your followers. Or research trends related to your niche. Knowing what works best for TikTok and tailoring your content to those trends can help you grow your audience and increase engagement.
@unreal_keanu Choose your fav Keanu #keanureeves #neo #constantine
Publish sequentially
If TikTok users want to stay relevant, they need to post regularly and often. In fact, the data shows that TikTok influencers should aim to post between one and four times a day. This lets TikTok know that you are putting in the effort to create relevant content. Plus, it gives your followers something they look forward to.
@brentrivera This is why i hate clowns😂 @merrickhanna
Get fashionable
Trends for TikTok are the same as hashtags for Twitter. TikTok influencers need to know what’s trending on the platform and when it’s time to join in the win.
TikTok trends often come in waves, so stay ahead of the game by jumping on them ahead of time. TikTok influencers who can do this successfully are often rewarded with increased views and can attract new audiences.
@jamescharles crushed it 😌 @Michael Sanzone @Anthony Gargiula @nataliejanesings
Be social
While TikTok is meant to be creative and fun, TikTok influencers also need to keep things real.
Charlie D’amelio is a great example of this fact with her signature TikTok dance videos and candid style. She has managed to stay true to her niche as well as adapt to the ever-changing TikTok trends, allowing her to remain one of the top TikTok influencers.
Advice: Don’t try to be something you’re not. Beyond entertainment, TikTok influencers should aim to create content that is interesting and emotionally engaging. This will help you build a loyal audience that is more likely to watch your content every day, not just when you post on a trending topic.
@charlidamelio this is half my drafts a bunch of unfinished vlogs lol also we didnt get tattoos and went to dinner at 8
Frequently Asked Questions About TikTok Influencers
Who is the most popular TikTok influencer?
The most followed TikTok influencer is Charlie D’amelio, who has over 148 million followers. Other TikTok influencers with more followers include Bella Poarch (92.4M), Addison Rae (88.7M) and Zach King (70.9M).
Do TikTok influencers get paid?
Yes, TikTok influencers are getting paid — and good. Some of the most popular TikTok influencers make over $20,000 per post. Influencers can make money in a variety of ways, from sponsored posts to a fund for TikTok creators.
To earn money directly from the app, TikTok influencers must have at least 10,000 followers, 100,000 video views in the last 30 days, and be over 18 years of age. Learn more about how much influencers get paid on the Hootsuite blog.
How to become a TikTok influencer?
To become a TikTok influencer yourself, you need to create the type of content that resonates with the TikTok audience. TikTok users prefer content that is entertaining, light-hearted, and fun. Videos with lip-synching, comedy or dancing usually work better than long vlogs. Upload your videos to TikTok regularly and use popular hashtags and topics to increase their reach.
Once you gain momentum, you can partner with other TikTok influencers in similar areas. Or try to get on the curated TikTok For You page. This will help expand your fan base and make it easier for brands to find you.