The Creator Economy in 2026: From Viral Videos to Vertical Empires — A Global and Indian Perspective
The Creator Economy in 2026: From Viral Videos to Vertical Empires — A Global and Indian Perspective The creator economy in 2026 is no longer a sidebar to the digital world—it is the main stage. Valued at over $235 billion globally, it has evolved from a hobbyist's playground into a decentralized media conglomerate where niche authority trumps mass appeal, and trust outweighs reach. What began as bloggers and vloggers chasing ad revenue has matured into a sophisticated ecosystem of audio-first storytelling, AI-hybrid production, social commerce, and cohort-based education. In India alone, the journey from 15 million creators in 2019 to over 110 million in 2026 reflects a seismic shift: the "Bharat wave" has democratized content creation, turning regional voices into economic powerhouses. Yet beneath the growth lies a paradox: while the top 1% capture 21% of global payouts, a new "creator middle class" is emerging, fueled by micro-monetization and platform ...