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TikTok surges, challenges Instagram dominance in Malaysia

AnyMind Group has released its Influencer Marketing in Malaysia 2026 Report, offering a detailed analysis of the country’s creator economy from 2023 to 2025. The report highlights Malaysia’s unique focus on awareness-driven campaigns, which accounted for 70% of influencer marketing activity in 2025, contrasting with the broader Asia-Pacific region’s shift towards performance metrics.

The report reveals significant changes in platform preferences among Malaysian brands. TikTok’s campaign share skyrocketed from 8% in 2023 to 44% in 2025, nearly equalling Instagram’s 48%. This shift indicates a strategic move towards dual-platform strategies that combine Instagram’s lifestyle visuals with TikTok’s dynamic video content to maximise reach.

XiaoHongShu has emerged as a crucial platform, capturing over 7% of brand campaigns and 28% of Lifestyle & Home campaign spending. Unlike other platforms focused on entertainment, XiaoHongShu is driven by high-utility content, making it a preferred choice for high-consideration purchases in categories like Lifestyle & Home and Travel.

Lee Chin Chuan, Country Manager for Malaysia at AnyMind Group, emphasised the importance of long-term validation in the Malaysian market. “The data clearly underscores that the Malaysian influencer landscape operates on a foundation of long-term validation rather than passive scrolling,” he stated.

As Malaysia’s creator economy matures, the report suggests that brands should focus on building trust through nano- and micro-influencer networks and leveraging platform-specific strategies. This approach is expected to foster lasting consumer confidence and drive purchase decisions, positioning brands for success in the evolving digital landscape.

This story was selected and published by a human editor, with content adapted from original press material using AI tools. Spot an error? Report it here.

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