Main Article Content
Abstract
This study aims to examine AI-driven viral marketing strategy by explaining the role of micro-influencers, short-form video, and electronic word of mouth in shaping consumer purchase intention. The study uses a qualitative literature study approach by reviewing, classifying, and synthesizing relevant scholarly works on artificial intelligence in marketing, viral marketing, influencer credibility, short-form video engagement, e-WOM, and consumer behavior. The results indicate that AI-driven viral marketing is not merely a technology-based promotional tool, but an integrated strategic system that combines algorithmic personalization, social credibility, visual engagement, and peer-to-peer communication. Artificial intelligence strengthens marketing effectiveness through personalized targeting, predictive analysis, and content optimization. Micro-influencers enhance consumer trust through perceived authenticity, expertise, and relational closeness. Short-form video increases attention, emotional response, and content shareability, while electronic word of mouth provides social validation, reduces perceived risk, and strengthens purchase intention. The main finding of this study is that consumer purchase intention is shaped by the interaction between technological relevance and social trust. Therefore, effective viral marketing requires a balance between AI-based automation and human-centered communication. This study contributes theoretically by integrating AI marketing, influencer marketing, short-form video, and e-WOM into one conceptual framework, and managerially by offering strategic insights for designing credible and engaging digital marketing campaigns.
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References
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- Rizomyliotis, I., Lin, C. L., Konstantoulaki, K., & Phan, T. (2024). TikTok short video marketing and Gen Z’s purchase intention: Evidence from the cosmetics industry in Singapore. Journal of Asia Business Studies, 18(4), 930–945. https://doi.org/10.1108/JABS-04-2023-0138
- Sokolova, K., & Kefi, H. (2020). Instagram and YouTube bloggers promote it, why should I buy? How credibility and parasocial interaction influence purchase intentions. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 53, 101742. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2019.01.011
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References
An, G. K., & Ngo, T. T. A. (2025). AI-powered personalized advertising and purchase intention in Vietnam’s digital landscape: The role of trust, relevance, and usefulness. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 11(3), 100580. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100580
Anastasiei, B., Dospinescu, N., & Dospinescu, O. (2024). Individual and product-related antecedents of electronic word-of-mouth. Aslib Journal of Information Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJIM-04-2024-0353
Anastasiei, B., Dospinescu, N., & Dospinescu, O. (2025). Beyond credibility: Understanding the mediators between electronic word-of-mouth and purchase intention. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2504.05359
Berger, J., & Milkman, K. L. (2012). What makes online content viral? Journal of Marketing Research, 49(2), 192–205. https://doi.org/10.1509/jmr.10.0353
Campbell, C., & Farrell, J. R. (2020). More than meets the eye: The functional components underlying influencer marketing. Business Horizons, 63(4), 469–479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2020.03.003
Chen, Y., Qin, Z., Yan, Y., & Huang, Y. (2024). The power of influencers: How does influencer marketing shape consumers’ purchase intentions? Sustainability, 16(13), 5471. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135471
Cheung, C. M. K., & Thadani, D. R. (2012). The impact of electronic word-of-mouth communication: A literature analysis and integrative model. Decision Support Systems, 54(1), 461–470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dss.2012.06.008
DataReportal. (2026). Digital 2026: Indonesia. DataReportal. https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2026-indonesia
Davenport, T. H., Guha, A., Grewal, D., & Bressgott, T. (2020). How artificial intelligence will change the future of marketing. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 48, 24–42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-019-00696-0
De Veirman, M., Cauberghe, V., & Hudders, L. (2017). Marketing through Instagram influencers: The impact of number of followers and product divergence on brand attitude. International Journal of Advertising, 36(5), 798–828. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650487.2017.1348035
Erkan, I., & Evans, C. (2016). The influence of eWOM in social media on consumers’ purchase intentions: An extended approach to information adoption. Computers in Human Behavior, 61, 47–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.03.003
Grewal, D., Satornino, C. B., Davenport, T. H., & Guha, A. (2025). How generative AI is shaping the future of marketing. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 53(3), 702–722. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-024-01064-3
Hennig-Thurau, T., Gwinner, K. P., Walsh, G., & Gremler, D. D. (2004). Electronic word-of-mouth via consumer-opinion platforms: What motivates consumers to articulate themselves on the internet? Journal of Interactive Marketing, 18(1), 38–52. https://doi.org/10.1002/dir.10073
Hermann, E., & Puntoni, S. (2024). Artificial intelligence and consumer behavior: From predictive to generative AI. Journal of Business Research, 180, 114720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114720
Hinz, O., Skiera, B., Barrot, C., & Becker, J. U. (2011). Seeding strategies for viral marketing: An empirical comparison. Journal of Marketing, 75(6), 55–71. https://doi.org/10.1509/jm.10.0088
Huang, M. H., & Rust, R. T. (2021). A strategic framework for artificial intelligence in marketing. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 49, 30–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-020-00749-9
Hudders, L., De Jans, S., & De Veirman, M. (2021). The commercialization of social media stars: A literature review and conceptual framework on the strategic use of social media influencers. International Journal of Advertising, 40(3), 327–375. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650487.2020.1836925
Ismagilova, E., Slade, E. L., Rana, N. P., & Dwivedi, Y. K. (2020). The effect of electronic word of mouth communications on intention to buy: A meta-analysis. Information Systems Frontiers, 22, 1203–1226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-019-09924-y
Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. (2011). Two hearts in three-quarter time: How to waltz the social media/viral marketing dance. Business Horizons, 54(3), 253–263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2011.01.006
Ki, C. W. C., & Kim, Y. K. (2019). The mechanism by which social media influencers persuade consumers: The role of consumers’ desire to mimic. Psychology & Marketing, 36(10), 905–922. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.21244
Kim, D. Y., & Kim, H. Y. (2021). Trust me, trust me not: A nuanced view of influencer marketing on social media. Journal of Business Research, 134, 223–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.05.024
Kumar, V., Rajan, B., Venkatesan, R., & Lecinski, J. (2019). Understanding the role of artificial intelligence in personalized engagement marketing. California Management Review, 61(4), 135–155. https://doi.org/10.1177/0008125619859317
Liu, X., & Zheng, X. (2024). The persuasive power of social media influencers in brand credibility and purchase intention. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11, Article 15. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02512-1
Lou, C., & Yuan, S. (2019). Influencer marketing: How message value and credibility affect consumer trust of branded content on social media. Journal of Interactive Advertising, 19(1), 58–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/15252019.2018.1533501
Meng, L. M., Kou, S., Duan, S., & Bie, Y. (2024). The impact of content characteristics of short-form video ads on consumer purchase behavior: Evidence from TikTok. Journal of Business Research, 183, 114874. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114874
Ngo, T. T. A., Vuong, B. L., Le, M. D., Nguyen, T. T., Tran, M. M., & Nguyen, Q. K. (2024). The impact of eWOM information in social media on the online purchase intention of Generation Z. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 2316933. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2316933
Puntoni, S., Reczek, R. W., Giesler, M., & Botti, S. (2021). Consumers and artificial intelligence: An experiential perspective. Journal of Marketing, 85(1), 131–151. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022242920953847
Qiu, K., & Zhang, L. (2024). How online reviews affect purchase intention: A meta-analysis across contextual and cultural factors. Data and Information Management, 8(2), 100058. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dim.2023.100058
Rajendran, P. T., Creusy, K., & Garnes, V. (2024). Shorts on the rise: Assessing the effects of YouTube Shorts on long-form video content. arXiv.
Rizomyliotis, I., Lin, C. L., Konstantoulaki, K., & Phan, T. (2024). TikTok short video marketing and Gen Z’s purchase intention: Evidence from the cosmetics industry in Singapore. Journal of Asia Business Studies, 18(4), 930–945. https://doi.org/10.1108/JABS-04-2023-0138
Sokolova, K., & Kefi, H. (2020). Instagram and YouTube bloggers promote it, why should I buy? How credibility and parasocial interaction influence purchase intentions. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 53, 101742. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2019.01.011
Turki, H. (2025). AI-powered personalization in e-commerce: Governance, consumer behavior, and exploratory insights from big data analytics. Technology in Society, 83, 103033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103033
Van der Lans, R., Van Bruggen, G., Eliashberg, J., & Wierenga, B. (2010). A viral branching model for predicting the spread of electronic word of mouth. Marketing Science, 29(2), 348–365. https://doi.org/10.1287/mksc.1090.0520
Zannettou, S., Nemes-Nemeth, O., Ayalon, O., Goetzen, A., Gummadi, K. P., Redmiles, E. M., & Roesner, F. (2024). Analyzing user engagement with TikTok’s short format video recommendations using data donations. Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. https://doi.org/10.1145/3613904.3642433