The Creator Economy in 2026: What’s Next for a Mature, Billion-Dollar Industry

by Will Monange, Founder & Co-CEO of Fanvue

When people think of the creator economy, they often imagine people posting content and making money from it. The way I see it, that misses the point. The creator economy is really one of influence: People creating genuine economic movement because others pay attention to them, trust them, and (literally) buy into what they share.

And that economy is no longer limited to traditional “creators.” Anyone who builds and engages a digital audience is part of it. So, if you’re an F1 driver, for example, you’re not just an F1 driver—you’re also engaging an online community that supports you beyond the track.

The creator economy is only going to keep growing and changing, and from my perspective as Co-CEO of Fanvue, I see a clear next phase. In 2026, the creator economy will shift from content to truly scalable, truly meaningful connections.

Connection Will Fuel Monetization

Meaningful relationships with fans are more important than ever in 2026 because content alone isn’t the whole story. Connection is what will drive monetization, the kind that comes directly from fans choosing to support a creator. That support can come from fans paying for subscriptions, buying merch or event tickets, or even backing assets a creator launches if they build their own brand.

I like to think of this as a connect-driven storefront. The closer a fan feels to their favorite creator, the more likely they are to convert. This relationship and motivation become the foundation that makes multiple revenue streams work over time. They become part of their followers’ routines and, in this context, purchases, like a recurring subscription, don't feel transactional but natural.

And I don’t think “connection” should be limited to just one type of fan–creator relationship. The market often defaults to an intimacy-based connection because it’s the easiest to describe (and usually the first to be adopted). But the learner–teacher relationship can be just as powerful—and there are other kinds of meaningful connections that are monetizable, too.

AI Will Make This Connection Scalable

You can’t have a conversation about what’s next for the creator economy without specifically looking at AI’s impact on it. I strongly believe that even in an industry like the creator economy, where authenticity is foundational, AI’s impact shouldn't be underplayed. In fact, I predict that without AI, creators won’t be able to offer their fans the level of interaction and connection that will create more revenue streams.

For example, if any one of the top 1% of creators wants to focus on connection, they'll need to message tens of thousands of their fans. And there’s still content to be created, along with other responsibilities that come with being an athlete, musician, or anyone else in the public eye. Balancing all of these is, frankly, impossible.

Now, over the years, social media platforms have launched new features and formats that have made it easier for fans to connect directly with their favorite personalities. Take Instagram, for example. Instagram Stories feel a lot more personal than static posts.

But I believe the next step in connecting with followers isn’t the evolution of social media, but rather the use of AI tools. I’m extremely excited to see how fan-to-creator relationships will use AI to get as close to the human experience. For me, it will have a transformative effect: It will change engagement.

Instead of a one-way exchange of thoughts, I see how fans can gain more knowledge about their favorite creators. For example, fans can start conversations with a creator’s AI version about topics that matter to them and speak to creators as friends or mentors. This is the type of engagement that I believe we’re moving toward.

Why this will still feel meaningful to fans (and won’t replace creators)

Sure, AI won't let fans connect one-on-one with the real creator, but speaking to the creator’s AI version, which has their seal of approval, is as close as fans can get to a human experience. And it beats their current alternatives: a generic, 2-word response to a comment or an even more generic emoji.

Connecting virtually with a creator’s AI won’t replace or take away from personal interactions, either. It’s just a different format. You can think of it as another option alongside live talks, not something that stops fans from wanting to hear creators speak in person.

So, I don’t think AI is here to replace creators—and really, it’ll help the creator economy grow. By using AI to build relationships with fans and connect virtually, fans can become more motivated to buy tickets for in-person events. In this way, AI can actually bridge the gap between engagement and reality.

The “Creator” Category Will Keep Expanding

Long gone are the days when the creator economy was just arts and crafts on social media. And in 2026, I believe it will keep transcending and continue to break beyond traditional boundaries. A lot of this growth is thanks to the fact that younger generations who have grown up online are entering the space.

We’re seeing this firsthand at Fanvue, too. From sports to self-improvement creators selling knowledge, we’re bringing on young creators who are monetizing a wide range of content.

B2B creators, in particular, will play a bigger role in the creator economy going forward. More companies are beginning to take them seriously, not as influencers, but as trusted connectors between brands and professional audiences.

This is a view echoed by Rob Illidge, CEO of Vulse, who points to LinkedIn as an early signal of where things are heading:

“LinkedIn is a great example, as B2B creators there are already becoming trusted connectors between brands and professionals. As more companies realize that relationships outperform ads, that shift is only going to accelerate.”

Research backs this up. Data shared by Influencer Strategists reveals that 93% of B2B CMOs plan to increase their investment in creators. What’s more, 58% of active B2B teams now run an always-on creator layer, with 99% rating it as effective.

I believe that creators won’t just cross traditional categories; our idea of what a “creator” is will change, too. With the focus shifting from content to connection, more types of people will be seen as creators. Basically, anyone with an active audience and uses connection (and content) to build it can become part of the creator economy.

AI will expand who can participate in the creator economy

Not only will the broader definition of a “creator” make it easier to join the space, but AI tools will as well. At Fanvue, proprietary AI tools are core to our mission. Where many industries worry that it will replace jobs, we believe that it can transform how creators across all verticals can earn money.

One reason is that, thanks to AI, you no longer need to be the person in front of the camera. Succeeding in the creator economy will now come down to the creator’s raw creativity, unique value, and ability to build an audience and grow their influence.

Yes, that means creators will need to offer even more of a unique value, but I believe it will make it easier for people to get started. By lowering the barrier to entry, AI gives more aspiring creators a real shot.

Creators Will Build Revenue Streams That Outlast the Feed

In 2026, the high-earning creators will be the ones who stop being platform-dependent—because they’ll be able to form more meaningful relationships with fans. They’ll move from socials like TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn to owned spaces like newsletters and communities, and to monetization platforms like Fanvue.

I’m also seeing more and more creators launch their own brands, something I predict will continue in 2026. Much like traditional consumer brands, the top creators will become a recognizable identity. They’ll gain and express more influence and have the tools to act more like a brand themselves. After all, if it’s about connection, you’ll need a clear tone of voice that’s uniquely yours, right?

That’s why at Fanvue, we like to view creators as businesses—and we’re not alone. That idea is increasingly echoed across creator-focused agencies. Karina Tymchenko, founder of Brandualist, has noted that money will increasingly flow to creators who invest in infrastructure, not just output:

“Many mid-tier creators are going to earn a significant amount of income from providing consulting services to businesses or developing internal training programs for businesses.”

In practice, this reflects a broader shift. Generating content ideas alone is no longer the differentiator. The creators pulling ahead are the ones building systems, processes, and repeatable value beyond the feed.

That said, this evolution doesn’t mean creators need to become founders to build sustainable careers. Another path is opening up alongside it: creators moving in-house.

According to insights shared by Lacey Kaelani, founder of Metaintro, companies are expected to hire a record number of in-house content creators. Drawing on data that tracks more than 400 million job positions, Metaintro points to growing demand for creators who can operate inside businesses—not just on platforms.

For many creators, this offers a form of stability the feed can’t. Instead of chasing algorithms, they gain firsthand experience of how organisations work—knowledge they can later turn into consulting, workshops, or independent ventures when the time is right.

What Comes After Content

Where content carried the creator economy to where it is today, connection will carry it to its next big height. Creators have realized that their posts and videos are assets.

Not only are followers willing to pay for content that offers value, but they also want to learn more about the faces behind these resources. As such, platforms that prioritize connection, intelligence, and creator independence—like Fanvue—will serve as a stepping stone toward more meaningful experiences.