LTK vs Glean

Why brands look at these influencer partners

Brand teams today are flooded with influencer choices and pressure to prove results. When you hear names like LTK and Glean, you are usually trying to understand who will actually move product, not just generate likes.

You may be wondering who has deeper creator relationships, who is stronger for commerce, and who fits your budget and team capacity.

Before diving in, it helps to frame this as a choice between two service-led influencer partners, each with different histories, networks, and ways of working with brands and creators.

What shoppable influencer campaigns really mean

The shortened phrase that best captures this topic is shoppable influencer marketing. That is the core promise many brands expect when they speak with agencies like LTK and Glean.

In simple terms, shoppable influencer marketing connects content and checkout. Creators show products in real life, followers tap or click, and the path to purchase is as short and frictionless as possible.

Most marketers comparing these agencies want more than awareness. They want measurable sales, reliable tracking, and repeatable campaigns they can justify to leadership.

What each agency is known for

Both agencies operate in the same broad world of creator partnerships, but they are not mirror images. Their track records, specialties, and typical clients differ in useful ways.

What LTK is generally known for

LTK, originally RewardStyle and LIKEtoKNOW.it, is heavily associated with commerce driven influencer campaigns. Many creators use its technology to earn commission from product recommendations.

For brands, LTK is often seen as a bridge between content and retail. It is especially visible in fashion, beauty, home, and lifestyle, where shoppable posts and affiliate style links work well.

The agency side typically leans on its large creator network, data on what sells, and long experience running campaigns that highlight products in organic looking ways.

What Glean is generally known for

Glean is a smaller name in many markets but is often positioned as a more hands on, strategy focused influencer partner. Public information points to a service driven model that centers on close brand support.

While not as synonymous with commerce as LTK, Glean tends to emphasize thoughtful matchmaking between brands and creators, plus storytelling that fits broader marketing plans.

Brands that seek a tighter relationship with their agency team, and more tailored campaign builds, may find Glean’s approach attractive.

Inside LTK and how it works with brands

Services brands typically get from LTK

On the service side, brands usually approach LTK for full campaign planning and execution. That can include everything from creator sourcing to final reporting.

Typical services include:

• Influencer discovery and vetting based on category and past performance
• Campaign concepting focused on shoppable content and seasonal pushes
• Contract negotiation, briefing, and content coordination with creators
• Affiliate style setup so creators can earn from tracked sales
• Performance tracking, optimization, and reporting on sales impact

LTK can also help tie campaigns into retailer programs, gift guides, or special promotions, especially in categories like apparel and cosmetics.

Campaign approach and style at LTK

LTK’s campaign style leans into shopping moments. Think “outfit of the day” clips, get ready with me routines, or home tours that weave in tagged products from specific brands.

Creators often share links or use technology that tags products directly in their content. That way, a follower’s curiosity can quickly turn into a click and purchase.

Campaigns tend to be structured around measurable outcomes such as:

• Clicks to product pages or brand sites
• Units sold or revenue attributed to creators
• Lift during key retail windows like holidays or back to school

For many retail focused brands, this offers a direct line between influencer content and the kind of numbers finance leaders care about.

Creator relationships inside the LTK world

LTK works with a broad, global community of influencers, with strong representation in lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and home. Many creators treat LTK as a core income channel.

This long running relationship with creators gives the agency insight into who reliably drives sales, not just surface engagement.

Because of this, brands often gain access to creators who are already educated on how to sell and what formats typically work to move products.

Typical brands that fit LTK well

Brands that generally find a good fit with LTK include:

• Ecommerce led fashion and beauty labels selling directly to consumers
• Retailers that want creators to spotlight multiple brands or categories
• Home decor and lifestyle companies with visually appealing products
• Brands comfortable with affiliate style structures and commission costs

If your leadership cares deeply about performance data tied to shopping actions, LTK’s commerce roots can be a strong match.

Inside Glean and how it works with brands

Services brands typically get from Glean

Glean, treated here as a service based influencer agency, usually offers end to end help with creator marketing. The emphasis tends to be on carefully planned partnerships rather than only volume or sales.

Common service areas include:

• Audience research to understand who you need to reach and why
• Creator identification beyond the usual names in your niche
• Creative direction to align content with your brand voice and goals
• Campaign management, communication, and approval workflows
• Measurement focused on reach, engagement, and brand lift

Some brands also turn to Glean for influencer strategies that span multiple channels, such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and sometimes podcasts or blogs.

Campaign approach and style at Glean

Glean’s style, based on available information, is less about quick shoppable clips and more about matching brand stories with creators who can tell them authentically.

Campaigns may include:

• Longer form creator content, such as YouTube videos or series
• Multi touch storytelling across different social platforms
• Brand ambassador style relationships rather than one off posts

While sales still matter, there is usually attention paid to perception, conversation, and how the brand is woven into creator communities over time.

Creator relationships in Glean’s network

Glean’s creator relationships are typically more curated and selective, reflecting a smaller roster compared with large commerce centric networks.

This can be useful for brands that care deeply about fit, tone, and long term collaborations. Fewer creators, more depth, rather than pure scale.

Because of this, Glean may be better suited to brands valuing close alignment over massive reach.

Typical brands that fit Glean well

Glean often makes sense for brands such as:

• Emerging consumer brands that want to build recognition, not just coupons
• Companies in thoughtful categories like wellness, education, or social causes
• Brands with more complex stories that need careful explanation
• Teams that want regular contact with senior strategists, not just account juniors

If you care as much about reputation and storytelling as you do about immediate sales, Glean’s style can be appealing.

How these influencer partners really differ

Once you understand what each agency does, the differences start to become clearer. They are not only about size or fame; they are about approach and what you value most.

Focus on sales versus storytelling

LTK leans naturally toward sales oriented influencer activity. Its roots in affiliate marketing and shoppable content mean a lot of energy goes into measurable purchases.

Glean leans more toward narrative and brand building. Its positioning suggests a stronger emphasis on aligning content with brand values, longer term perception, and community.

Of course, both can touch sales and storytelling. The difference lies in which goal feels like home base for the team.

Scale versus curation

LTK benefits from a large, commerce trained ecosystem of creators. This boosts scale and makes it easier to run big seasonal pushes or multi creator efforts quickly.

Glean tends to favor a more curated pool. That can be an advantage if you want every creator to feel closely tied to your brand and message.

Your choice may depend on whether you need broad coverage fast, or fewer but deeper relationships.

Data and history versus agility and intimacy

LTK’s long history in influencer commerce provides a data rich view of what sells. That history can help inform creator selection and campaign structuring.

Glean’s smaller size can deliver more agility and intimate support. You may get easier access to senior thinking and faster pivots as campaigns unfold.

Both have strengths. It comes down to whether you value a huge data backbone or a more boutique style engagement.

Pricing style and how budgets are used

Both agencies operate as service based businesses, not simple software subscriptions. That means pricing usually comes from a mix of strategy, execution, and creator costs.

How pricing often works with LTK

LTK typically charges brands through customized programs rather than fixed online menus. You can expect a blend of campaign fees and influencer payments.

Common pricing factors include:

• Number and size of creators involved in the program
• Length and complexity of the campaign calendar
• Whether content is used only once or repurposed in ads
• Markets, languages, and channels included in the scope

Because of its commerce lens, some costs may be structured around commission like arrangements, especially for creators.

How pricing often works with Glean

Glean typically uses custom quotes as well, built around your goals, timeline, and level of ongoing support. Retainer style relationships are common for brands wanting continual activity.

Pricing drivers usually include:

• Strategic depth required before launch, like research and positioning
• Number of creators and expected deliverables per creator
• Need for long term ambassador or advocacy programs
• Reporting detail and extra content services such as editing or casting

Glean is less likely to use affiliate like structures and more likely to price based on project and relationship value.

What brands should watch for in budgets

Regardless of agency, it is wise to separate three big buckets in your mind and contracts:

• Agency fees for strategy, management, and reporting
• Creator fees and any performance bonuses
• Paid media or whitelisting budgets to promote creator content

Having these clear helps you compare proposals from LTK, Glean, or any other partner on a like for like basis.

Strengths and limitations of each option

No agency is perfect for every brand. Understanding the pros and cons honestly will help you avoid mismatches and disappointment later.

Strengths you might see with LTK

• Large network of proven commerce friendly creators
• Deep experience in categories like fashion, beauty, and home
• Infrastructure for shoppable content and measurable shopping actions
• Ability to scale seasonal campaigns across many influencers

A common concern is whether a big network will treat your brand as just another logo, rather than a priority partner.

Limitations you should consider with LTK

• Might feel more transactional if you want intimate brand storytelling
• Best suited to visually shoppable products, less so for complex services
• Process can be structured, which some teams find less flexible
• Affiliate style elements may not fit every legal or margin setup

Strengths you might see with Glean

• More curated creator partnerships focused on fit and narrative
• Closeness with the agency team and more direct access to senior leads
• Good for brands with nuanced stories or sensitive topics
• Potentially more experimentation with new formats and channels

A frequent worry is whether a smaller agency can scale enough for big launches or multi market needs.

Limitations you should consider with Glean

• Less built in commerce infrastructure compared with long time shoppable players
• Creator pool may be smaller, limiting choice in certain niches
• Reporting may lean more qualitative if measurement tools are lighter
• Scaling to very large, frequent campaigns might stretch resources

Who each agency is best suited for

It helps to map your reality to the kinds of brands each agency tends to serve well. Consider your budget, category, and how hands on you want to be.

When LTK is usually a strong fit

• Retail and ecommerce brands with constant new product drops
• Labels in fashion, beauty, or home wanting shoppable content at scale
• Marketing teams under pressure to show clear sales numbers from creators
• Companies already comfortable using affiliate and commission style setups

If your key metric is product sold through creator content, and your catalog is visually strong, LTK’s model aligns well.

When Glean is usually a strong fit

• Brands in emerging or thoughtful categories needing deeper education
• Companies prioritizing long term brand equity over short term discounts
• Teams wanting a very close relationship with their agency strategists
• Founders or marketing leads who care about voice, values, and nuance

If your main need is trust building, storytelling, and community, and you can play the slightly longer game, Glean’s approach can shine.

When a platform like Flinque makes more sense

Sometimes neither full service agency feels quite right. Maybe you have in house talent, but you just lack the tools to do discovery and coordination efficiently.

What a platform based option offers

A platform like Flinque sits in a different category. It is not an agency; it is software that helps you manage influencer work yourself.

Instead of paying for strategy and heavy campaign management, you pay to use tools that support tasks like:

• Finding creators that match your audience and niche
• Tracking campaigns, content, and basic performance
• Coordinating communication, briefs, and deliverables

This model can work if you want control, already have a marketing team, and need to spread budget across more creators or more frequent tests.

Who should consider Flinque style platforms

• Brands with in house strategists who just need better infrastructure
• Smaller teams that cannot afford ongoing retainers but still want to test
• Companies that prefer to own relationships with creators directly
• Marketers who like to experiment rapidly without agency layers

You trade some expert hand holding for flexibility and cost control. For many growing brands, that is a reasonable trade.

FAQs

Is LTK or Glean better for pure sales results?

If your sole focus is trackable sales from influencer content, LTK’s commerce heritage and shoppable systems generally provide an advantage. Glean can still help drive revenue, but its strengths lean more toward storytelling and brand building than pure performance marketing.

Which agency is better for smaller brands?

Smaller brands can work with either, but the right choice depends on goals and budget. If you want high touch guidance and narrative depth, a boutique style partner like Glean may feel more accessible. If you’re product led and growth focused, LTK can fit once budgets are sufficient.

Can I work with both agencies at the same time?

Yes, some larger companies mix partners. For example, you might use LTK for commerce heavy launches, while using Glean for brand storytelling or specific verticals. Coordination is key though, so your team should align messaging, timelines, and creative direction across agencies.

Do I still need in house staff if I hire an agency?

Yes. Even with full service support, you need internal owners to set goals, approve creative, coordinate with other channels, and champion results to leadership. Agencies extend your team, but they don’t replace your need for internal marketing direction.

How long before I see results from influencer work?

Commerce focused campaigns can show early signals within weeks, especially around launches or promotions. Brand building and community programs take longer, often several months or more. Set expectations based on whether you’re chasing quick revenue or lasting brand impact.

Helping you make the right choice

When you weigh LTK against Glean, you are really choosing between two ways of doing influencer work. One leans more into scale and commerce; the other into narrative and close collaboration.

Start by clarifying three things: what success means for you, how fast you need proof, and how involved you want to be in daily execution.

If you need shoppable influencer marketing that plugs neatly into retail calendars, LTK’s ecosystem is hard to ignore. The long history with commerce and large creator base are real advantages.

If you value tailored storytelling, closer partnerships, and curated creator choices, Glean’s style may serve you better, even if scale is smaller at first.

And if your team is hungry to own the process without big retainers, a platform alternative such as Flinque lets you build internal capability while keeping software costs predictable.

There is no universal winner. The best move is the one that matches your category, budget, and comfort with taking the lead. Choose the model that supports how your team actually works, not just the one with the loudest name.

Disclaimer

All information on this page is collected from publicly available sources, third party search engines, AI powered tools and general online research. We do not claim ownership of any external data and accuracy may vary. This content is for informational purposes only.