Source: Beet
Creator-led marketing is scaling faster than programmatic advertising because audiences trust human curation over algorithmic feeds—a practical problem for brands seeking attention in saturated markets. As platforms deprecate algorithmic reach and feed quality deteriorates, creators function as paid editorial gatekeepers who deliver both reach and credibility to niche, high-intent audiences. This reverses decades of ad tech consolidation: instead of brands buying audiences through platforms, they're now buying access through creators. The shift changes who captures value in the discovery chain.