Two ways to find influencers
Introduction
There are two ways to find creators. You can search by hand or use a discovery platform. Most people end up using both, so it helps to know when each one is the right choice.
Searching by hand
Manual search is free, and it works well when you only need a few names, or you're just getting started. The trade-off is time. It's slow, and a profile won't show you the things that matter most, like where the audience actually lives or whether the likes are genuine.
Using a discovery platform
A discovery platform is a large, searchable database of creators with filters built on top. Popular ones include Modash, Heepsy, HypeAuditor, and Impulze.ai. You set a few filters and get a matching list in seconds, with audience and engagement data already attached.
When to reach for a tool. Use a platform when you need more than a handful of names, when you want to filter by audience location or engagement, or when you need to check a creator's reach quickly. For a small one-off on a tiny budget, searching by hand on its own is perfectly fine.
We'll start with the manual approach, because it's free and it teaches you what to look for. Then we'll bring in a tool to do the same work faster.
Key takeaways
- Manual search is free and great for a few names; a platform scales and arrives with audience and engagement data attached.
- Use a tool once you need more than a handful of names or want to filter by audience and engagement.
- Most marketers use both — by hand to learn what to look for, a tool to go faster.
Next: Search by hand →