Shopee's marketplace study* examined the motivational structures of 2,459 buyers, consisting of Gen-Z (40%), Millennials (36%), Generation X (17%), and Baby Boomers (7%), in following influencers.

Five in ten Malaysians relate most to micro-nano influencers with a follower count under 500,000. The surveyed buyers find these influencers relatable because they occupy a niche in posting word-of-mouth recommendations to well-acquainted circles of interest.

The degree to which Malaysians follow influencers in other tiers is spread: 25% like Mega influencers (over 1 million) and 22% prefer macro-influencers (with 500,000 to less than a million followers). With the rise of influencers in Malaysia, 3 in 10 buyers want influencers to bond with them on a personal level so they can continue to stand out from their peers.

A third (30%) concede that they follow influencers to reaffirm their shopping choices before they purchase a product. 22% habitually follow influencers to stay on trend or to educate themselves, 21% find them relatable, 20% want to discover new things, and only 7% choose to follow them for their popularity. Across generations, Malaysians online want access to information that helps them shop smarter.

The most popular type of influencer content, according to a third (33%) of Malaysian buyers, are reviews, vlogs, and unboxing videos. Unboxing has become a popular trend across e-commerce, particularly for Shopee Livestream influencers, where they have the advantage of showcasing the full potential of products and demonstrating their effectiveness in action to their strong community of followers. It has become the most trusted way for them to share personal advice, get two-way feedback, and answer questions about the product directly with compelling proof.

The remaining buyers surveyed find inspiration in the following types of content: 20% watch DIY hacks, tips, and tricks, 19% feel rewarded by giveaways, special offers, or contests, 15% discover new products or feature launch announcements, and 12% prefer interactive videos, live streams, and polls. Shopee brings communities together through content that entertains and for influencers to forge meaningful connections in real-time channels like Shopee Live.

"With many new sellers on the marketplace since the pandemic, buyers understandably are faced with more to choose from and more unknowns. Our influencers are a trusted community: Malaysian shoppers on our marketplace know the source, perceive them as fellow peers, and look to them to determine if they're getting the best prices and whether they can trust user recommendations," said Kenneth Soh, Head of Marketing Campaigns at Shopee Malaysia.

When Shopee asked 1,035 sellers what type of content they thought influencers should post on social media to help Malaysians shop smarter, 48% of sellers preferred influencers to post relevant and genuine reels and videos of their products. 24% wanted their products featured organically in engaging content, 15% wanted to see their products in influencer selfies, and 15% wanted influencers to give away their products in live interactions.

"We strongly believe that our community of influencers will help our sellers achieve sustainable growth because we see more Malaysians trusting them to inform their shopping decisions. Shopee Affiliate Programme, Shopee Influencer Marketing Programme, and Shopee Live are examples of how sellers can leverage trusted communities to cultivate more meaningful and loyal relationships online," Soh added.

This study kicks off Shopee Malaysia's November edition of e-commerce insights on how Malaysian influencers resonate with local audiences and how sellers can engage them to cultivate loyalty online. Further insights will be revealed on 2 November 2022. Shopee will level up these individuals by bringing the community closer through its Shopee Influencers Fest Countdown Party on 10 November 2022.

Survey Methodology: The 2022 "The Future of E-Commerce with Malaysian Influencers" survey was conducted by Shopee Marketplace, between 28 September and 21 October 2022. Voluntary feedback was obtained from 2,459 Malaysian buyers and 1,035 Malaysian sellers on the platform.

About Shopee

Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia & Taiwan. Shopee promotes an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem by enabling businesses to digitalize and grow their online presence, helping more people access and benefit from digital services and uplifting local communities.

Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region's digital economy with a firm commitment to helping homegrown brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce. Shopee is part of Sea Limited (NYSE: SE), a leading global consumer internet company. Sea's mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology through its three core businesses: Shopee, Garena, and SeaMonkey.