Long-form research is where the Center for the Creator Economy’s annual flagship studies live. This research goes deeper, examining the broader questions of the creator economy from an academic perspective. Each study pairs rigorous methods with insights for scholars, researchers, creators, brands, platforms and policymakers, building the foundation for a field still being defined.
Creator, Defined.
CCE Inaugural Long-Form Research Study | October 2026
8 in 10 Americans say a sustained commitment to craft is what makes someone a true creator.
The Center for the Creator Economy’s inaugural long-form research study asks what makes someone a creator. This first look shares topline initial findings from a Census-matched national survey of 989 U.S. adults, fielded through Prolific on October 10–11, 2026, and 40 interviews with creators and creator-economy industry professionals.
Key findings
- 83.7% say a sustained commitment to craft over time separates a true creator from a casual internet user who posts.
- 75.5% see “creator” as a distinct professional role.
- 66.7% see a difference between a creator and a social media influencer.
- 87.2% see a difference between a creator and a celebrity.
- 69.7% accept a creator running their channel purely as a business, but 64.7% say changing content style to chase higher-paying sponsorships compromises creative integrity.
- The Maker, a digital artisan valued for skill and mastery of craft, was rated the best fit for “creator,” ahead of the Community Builder and the Brand.
The takeaway
Americans see creators as a category of their own, defined by craft. Earning money is broadly accepted, but letting it define the work is not. Initial interview findings point the same way: creators are defined by the work itself, and influencers by persuasion.
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