Search on Instagram
The most obvious and fastest solution is to open Instagram and search for influencers directly. However, finding the right one requires more than just scrolling — here are some lifehacks on where to find influencers for your brand.👇
The ‘Explore’ page
The first way to search influencers on Instagram is by using the Explore Page.
Click the magnifying glass icon and scroll through media influencers whose niche, style, and content align with your brand. Since Instagram’s algorithm curates content based on your interests and interactions, you’re more likely to discover relevant matches.
In addition, the Explore Page highlights Instagram bloggers who have successfully created viral content, indicating their ability to engage their audience effectively.
This method is quick and organic, making it a great starting point in your search for the right influencer.
Hashtags
If you need to target creators in a narrow niche, for example, tennis sport, search for influencers with #hashtags.
First, you’ll find influencers who create relevant content in that niche. Secondly, you can instantly check key metrics like follower count and comments-to-like ratio to assess their credibility and effectiveness.
Mentions
Use the @mentions search tool — it instantly generates relevant social media accounts that include the mentioned word in their profile names and bios. It can also be brand names or products to find potential influencers interested in this niche.
Keywords
And finally, find Instagram creators by using different combinations of keywords. Instagram’s search engine will show all creators who have relevant content and have tagged these keywords or their synonyms in their captions.
Instagram Influencer Tools
All in all, even if you find a good match, you cannot be 100% sure whether the influencer’s followers are real or if the audience’s age, gender, and location align with your brand.
The solution is an Instagram influencer finder!
For example, IQFluence has a vast database of over 375M+ influencers with more than 15 filters, including keywords to help you find creators that match your exact preferences, ensuring a precise and effective selection process.
Use IQFluence’s location filters to refine your search by country and city, ensuring your campaign reaches the most relevant audience. Simply enter the desired location percentage for precise targeting.
Sometimes, you already know that a star or macro influencer shares the same type of followers as your brand on Instagram.
With IQFluence’s lookalike filter, you can instantly find a list of Instagram content creators who produce similar content and engage with a comparable audience. Simply enter the @username of the influencer to discover relevant matches effortlessly.
Search on Google
Use keywords like “top/best Instagram influencers in [your industry]”.
Also, don’t forget to enter the size of Instagram creators based on your budget and goals — nano, micro, or macro.
Blogs, rankings, and creator databases can provide valuable insights.
A search like “your industry + influencers in X city” can help you discover influencers near you. You may also find articles featuring curated lists of top influencers in that area.
For example, if you want to promote your tennis sportswear in Melbourne, searching for “Melbourne tennis influencer” can generate millions of results.
Competitor analysis
To find influencers on Instagram look at your competitors’ social media collaborations and see which influencers they work with. If an influencer has successfully promoted a similar brand, they might be a great fit for yours.
However, if you want to hire a different creator, search for influencers who follow your competitor’s creator or are followed by them, as they may inspire each other.
For example, I discovered that the sportswear brand Sanitywomen hired Sienna Bravo, and the engagement in this ad campaign was excellent. So, I looked into who inspires Sienna and found another tennis influencer, Zizou Bergs, with a similar follower count.
Use your network
Here’s the deal: your customers, employees, and partners already know people who align with your brand. Tap into that.
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Check your followers – Who’s engaging with your content? Any micro-influencers in the mix?
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Ask your team – Someone in marketing, sales, or even HR might have connections.
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Look at past collaborations – Who’s already worked with similar brands?
The best influencers aren’t random. They’re already in your circle—you just need to connect the dots.
For this use your:
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Internal Slack or Teams channels – Drop a message in marketing, sales, or community chats: "Hey, does anyone know influencers who fit our brand?"
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Email your team – Keep it short: "We’re looking for influencers who align with [brand]. Any connections?"
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Social media DMs – If engaged followers comment often, send a quick "Hey, love your content! Ever worked with brands like ours?"
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Customer communities – If you have a Facebook group, Discord, or forum, post: "Who are your favorite creators in [industry]?"
People love to help. Just ask.
Industry events and conferences
Attend media marketing events, trade shows, and networking conferences where influencers gather. Meeting them in person helps build authentic relationships and fosters stronger collaborations.
Leverage industry-specific platforms to find the right creators — VidCon for general influencers, Tastemaker Conference for food creators, and IGB Affiliate for the iGaming niche.
Develop a brand ambassador program to attract Instagram influencers
When finding influencers for your brand, encourage Instagram creators to become long-term brand ambassadors. This approach builds credibility and ensures ongoing promotion from influencers who genuinely support your brand.
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Define Goals – Set clear objectives (e.g., brand awareness, sales growth).
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Identify Ideal Ambassadors – Look for influencers who align with your brand values and audience.
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Create an Attractive Offer – Provide incentives like free products, commissions, or exclusive perks.
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Develop Guidelines – Outline expectations for content, hashtags, and engagement.
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Recruit & Onboard – Reach out via DMs or emails, explaining benefits and requirements, or ask your existing influencers to share the offer on their Instagram page. You can also create a form (for example, google form) to ensure clear expectations on both sides and make it easier to filter influencers based on your own requirements.
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Foster Engagement – Build relationships through communication, feedback, and exclusive events.
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Track Performance – Monitor metrics (reach, engagement, conversions) and optimize your influencer marketing program.
Ask for recommendations from your existing Instagram creators
Your existing influencers likely have connections with other content creators. Ask them to recommend like-minded Instagram bloggers who might be interested in your brand. Use this template to find social media influencers: 👇
Subject: Looking for Influencer Recommendations
Hi [Creator's Name],
I hope you're doing well! We've really enjoyed working with you and love the content you create. Since you're connected with many talented creators, we wanted to ask if you could recommend any influencers who might be a great fit for our brand.
We're looking for creators who [briefly describe your ideal influencer—e.g., niche, engagement level, follower count]. If you know someone who would be interested, we’d love an introduction!
Let us know if anyone comes to mind. We truly appreciate your help!
Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Brand]
[Your Contact Information]
Check the Instagram presence of your existing TikTok and YouTube influencers
Many influencers create content across multiple platforms. If you already work with TikTok or YouTube creators, see if they also have an engaged audience on Instagram.
This approach is also convenient since you’re already familiar with the influencer’s reputation and can better predict the campaign’s ROI.
Some influencers repost the same content on Instagram, while others may not be very active. Additionally, their followers might differ across platforms, so it’s best to verify this using a search tool.
Find an ideal influencer for your brand with IQFluence
Here’s a short guide for those wondering how to find influencers for my brand to collaborate with.
First, use an influencer discovery tool, applying the following parameters:
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Location: Ensure at least 60% of the audience is from your aimed city or country. In our case it is Australia.
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Engagement rate: Greater than 7%.
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Keywords: I used terms like “tennis” (e.g., “tennis sport,” “love tennis,” etc.). You can also filter by mentions and hashtags.
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Recent activity: Set the last post date within the past month to ensure the influencer is active on Instagram.
After careful checking, I chose Joya Nicolas, as her follower count, audience type, and other metrics aligned with my goals.
Find your influencers with an IQFluence free trial. Test it now.
FAQs on how to find an instagram influencer
How to find an influencer for your brand?
To find an Instagram influencer leverage influencer search platforms like IQFluence, Influencity, and Emplifi to analyze engagement rates and audience demographics
How to get an influencer to promote your product?
Engage with media influencers by offering collaborations or incentives. Use influencer marketing search to find relevant partners. Build relationships through direct influencer outreach or influencer platforms.
How to find the top instagram influencers
Use an influencer search platform to analyze follower count, engagement rates, and niche relevance. Search for creators using hashtags, competitor collaborations, and industry lists.
How do I find Instagram influencers in my area?
To optimize your influencer search, use the best website to find influencers — IQfluence’s discovery tool page to find social influencers by location. You can add both country and city.
How to find an instagram influencer instantly?
To find an Instagram influencer instantly, use influencer marketing tools like IQFluence, Upfluence, or Influencity. These platforms let you filter Instagram creators by niche, influencer engagement rate, location, and followers demographics. Apply Upfluence’s social listening tool to track public sentiment.
