Whether you are a macro, micro, or even a nano influencer, it doesn’t matter; data is essential to share with brands information about your platforms. 

What is your engagement rate? Where are your followers located? How many people do you reach on average with each post? 

This data is very important to brands. That’s why it is crucial to educate yourself on what tools and methods you want to use to allow brands to access your data from your profile.  

By using platforms like Influo, you can quickly set up a profile, and a brand can easily access all your data and information they need.

But, you need to know how platforms like Influo do this – how do we get your data? And are there platforms out there that have your data and share it with brands, without you even knowing about it?

We will explain to you the two most common ways of collecting data – API connections and scraping.

What is scraping?

It is a method of collecting and storing data that is publicly available online, without the consent of people whose data is collected. 

This means that platforms take data from your social channels, collect it into a database, and share it with other brands, agencies, and companies. 

Yes, in the majority of cases, without your consent or knowledge.

There are plenty of influencer marketing platforms out there that are proud to have an extensive list of creators. However, most creators and influencers have no idea they are on any list or any platform.

Platforms like these collect your data such as information on your posts, audience, or even save your Instagram Stories. 

Without the creator even knowing their data is collected and provided to third parties, it raises the question if this practice is ethical.

What is an API connection?

API connection is a direct connection between a platform that collects data and your own social channels.

For a platform to create an API connection, you need to approve and set up this connection yourself.

Influo uses API connections to present brands and agencies with insights and data from creators, for example, Instagram profiles. Creators themselves directly connect their Instagram account to Influo, after which we collect this data and present it to brands on our platform.

This means you, the creator, allow your data to be collected and shared. 

This reduces the issue of ethical malpractices, ensures all your data is treated safely, promises transparency, and gives you control over who sees your data.

Working with an API gives you more accurate, up-to-date information, while web scraping sometimes lacks some details and correctness.

Advantages of using an API:

  • No unethical practices
    • Since both parties agree to give access and get data, there are no illegal or unethical practices. Using tools like web scrapers may affect this point. On itself, web scraping isn’t unlawful. In reality, businesses cross the line a lot more than expected.
  • The data is accurate
    • Above the fact that you have power over how much data you are giving, the information you provide is most likely accurate. This can play a part when a brand is looking for creators. Since they agree on this kind of “contract,” they know the data they access is correct.
  • As a creator, you know what happens with your data
    • Using an API, and agreeing to the terms of use, does not make your data and all your information on your profile public. Each brand or company has to request an agreement. On the other hand, with web scrapers, all your data is public and free to take from every company. And in the worst case, your data is being sold to other companies with bad intentions.