Characteristics of Human-Like Virtual Profiles in Relation to Audience Reach and Engagement on Instagram: Secondary Data Analysis - Takeaways - MDSpire

Characteristics of Human-Like Virtual Profiles in Relation to Audience Reach and Engagement on Instagram: Secondary Data Analysis

  • By

  • Alexandra Maria Lebrecht

  • Winze Tam

  • Omar Merlo

  • Andreas Benedikt Eisingerich

  • June 5, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    Human-like virtual profiles (VPs) have evolved from novelty to a significant creator category on social media, particularly Instagram.

  • 2

    The study analyzes engagement and reach of female VPs, focusing on video content's role in algorithmic amplification.

  • 3

    Key design characteristics influencing VP performance include photorealism, consistency in presentation, and copresence structure.

  • 4

    Mixed results exist regarding the perceived authenticity of VPs compared to human influencers, affecting audience engagement.

  • 5

    Achieving a balance of human-likeness is essential for maintaining trust and engagement in interactions with virtual personas.

Original Source(s)

Characteristics of Human-Like Virtual Profiles in Relation to Audience Reach and Engagement on Instagram: Secondary Data Analysis

  • by Alexandra Maria Lebrecht, Winze Tam, Omar Merlo, Andreas Benedikt Eisingerich

  • June 5, 2026

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