I think it depends on what you are researching. Take watches as an example. I often use the ideas, and expertise of YouTubers as they are always on top of new releases from some trusted brands that I have come to enjoy and trust. It saves me from having to scour their catalogues, from different countries and all of their limited releases. It’s the same for when I’m shopping for cars, knives, or fountain pens. Yes they all sound the same, they look the same, use the same intros etc, but I always find something I may not have, in a much shorter amount of time. Influencers are just advertisers, and they can be helpful when consumer a product. Now the consumption in ideas, are a whole different ball game.