Social media influencers have become an important component of digital marketing, influencing consumers’ perceptions, attitudes and purchase decisions. This study presents a systematic literature review of 43 research articles to examine the development and major research trends in the field of social media influencer research. The selected studies were analyzed based on article type, social media platform, major research themes, key variables, and future research directions. The review indicates that empirical research dominates the existing literature, with Instagram, YouTube and other social media platforms being the most frequently examined platforms. The analysis also highlights the growing interest in influencer characteristics and their role in shaping consumer responses and marketing outcomes. Overall, the study consolidates the existing literature on social media influencers and provides a structured understanding of the field while identifying potential directions for future research...