Exploring how followers’ verification behavior influence sharing decisions: the role of source, content, and audience factors
Article
Aldlimi, T., Priporas, C. and Chang, S. 2025. Exploring how followers’ verification behavior influence sharing decisions: the role of source, content, and audience factors. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal. 28 (3), pp. 474-505. https://doi.org/10.1108/QMR-08-2024-0159
| Type | Article |
|---|---|
| Title | Exploring how followers’ verification behavior influence sharing decisions: the role of source, content, and audience factors |
| Authors | Aldlimi, T., Priporas, C. and Chang, S. |
| Abstract | Due to the pervasive use of social media platforms, firms use Social Media Influencers (SMIs) to exploit the massive number of social media users to promote their products and services. The success of influencer marketing remains in strong influencer–follower engagement. One method to engage with SMIs is through sharing their content. Yet, little has been investigated about the factors that encourage followers' sharing decisions. This article addresses this gap by adopting the Communication Persuasion Matrix (CPM) to identify factors related to the source, message, and audience. Moreover, it explores how followers' verification behavior influences their sharing behavior, employing digital media literacy to understand how followers evaluate and verify SMIs' content. Based on 21 semi-structured interviews, this qualitative study's findings conclude that factors like source popularity, content creativity, audience personal values, and self-efficacy influence followers' sharing behavior. The results also suggest a framework that links verification behavior to sharing behavior and demonstrates that verification behavior is important when engaging with SMIs. |
| Keywords | Social media influencers; influencer marketing; engagement; sharing behavior; Communication Persuasion Matrix; verification behavior |
| Sustainable Development Goals | 12 Responsible consumption and production |
| Middlesex University Theme | Creativity, Culture & Enterprise |
| Publisher | Emerald Publishing Limited |
| Journal | Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal |
| ISSN | 1352-2752 |
| Publication dates | |
| Online | 25 Mar 2025 |
| 29 Apr 2025 | |
| Publication process dates | |
| Accepted | 26 Feb 2025 |
| Deposited | 10 Mar 2025 |
| Output status | Published |
| Accepted author manuscript | License File Access Level Open |
| Copyright Statement | Copyright © 2025, Emerald Publishing Limited. |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1108/QMR-08-2024-0159 |
| Language | English |
https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/219q7y
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