The Full Form of KOL is Key opinion leaders.

A key opinion leader (KOL), sometimes called an influencer, is a member of a community whose expert advice is respected by others in their field. Key opinion leaders are authorities on a specific topic; they usually have a targeted audience specific to their niche.

Key opinion leaders (KOLs) are people or organizations that have such a strong social status that their recommendations and opinions are listened to when making important decisions. Good examples of key opinion leaders are political figures, columnists and celebrities who are known for their work.

All key opinion leaders have prominent status in their own communities and their opinions are valued and listened to. They are seen as true experts and they are trusted as real individuals, not just public figures representing companies.

What’s the difference between influencers and key opinion leaders?

The opinions vary when it comes to the question if key opinion leaders and influencers are the same.

Key opinion leaders are trusted because of their expertise in the field, gained through professionality or long-time experience. KOLs may not operate on social media at all, but it can boost their fame and offer them a powerful channel for influencing.

Unlike key opinion leaders, influencers make most of their income in social media. Influencer’s credibility is based on their social media persona and the content they share. When the influencers are respected enough by their followers, the followers might perceive them as key opinion leaders.

In a nutshell, some key opinion leaders are also influencers and vice versa, but not everyone considers themselves as both.

Brands collaborate with KOLs to:

• Reach more people in a target market
• Gain credibility through word-of-mouth marketing from a trusted expert