UK Finfluencers: Exploring Content, Reach, and Responsibility

TL;DR

This paper analyzes UK social media financial influencers, examining their content, engagement, and responsibility to improve transparency and protect followers from misinformation and financial harm.

Contribution

It provides a detailed empirical analysis of finfluencer content, sentiment, and disclaimers, offering guidelines for safer financial communication on social media.

Findings

Content categorization reveals diverse financial topics.

Sentiment analysis shows predominantly positive tone.

Disclaimers are infrequently used but crucial for transparency.

Abstract

The rise of social media financial influencers (finfluencers) has significantly transformed the personal finance landscape, making financial advice and insights more accessible to a broader and younger audience. By leveraging digital platforms, these influencers have contributed to the democratization of financial literacy. However, the line between education and promotion is often blurred, as many finfluencers lack formal financial qualifications, raising concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the information they share. This study investigates the patterns and behaviours of finfluencers in the UK on TikTok, focusing not on individual actions but on broader trends and the interactions between influencers and their followers. The aim is to identify common engagement patterns and propose guidelines that can help protect the public from potential financial harm. Specifically, the paper contributes a detailed analysis of finfluencer content categorization, sentiment trends, and the prevalence and role of disclaimers, offering empirical insights that inform recommendations for safer and more transparent financial communication on social media.