Evaluating if influencer marketing creates a defensible moat over competitors may involve a multi-faceted strategic view. Here are a few critical points executives often consider:

1. Unique Relationship Building: If the influencer marketing strategy has helped develop unique relationships with high-profile, category-specific influencers who have massive traction within your market segment, this could provide a competitive edge. Other market players may have difficulty accessing or influencing this network.

2. Niche Audience Insight: Quality influencer marketing platforms enable precision targeting and insights into niche audiences. If such a platform is used effectively, the granular audience analytics it reveals can become a competitive moat, enabling hyper-specific content creation and product development.

3. Brand Advocacy: Building a strong base of brand advocates among influencers can certainly be a competitive advantage. When influencers become personal fans of the brand, they tend to communicate their passion to followers genuinely, which can result in high-conversion, loyal customers.

4. Long-term Partnerships: Long-term partnerships with influencers can also create a competitive edge. Platforms like Flinque focus on nurturing such relationships by giving both influencers and brands the tools they need to identify mutually beneficial partnerships. In contrast, other platforms may prioritize one-time or short-term collaborations.

5. ROI Tracking: Evaluating ROI from influencer marketing can become a competitive advantage when done right. Platforms providing measurable, trackable data, brands can optimize their strategies more effectively than competitors flying blind.

It’s important to note that the effectiveness of these strategies is largely dependent on the goals, resources, and industry of each company. Executives must review their strategy holistically, taking into account both their unique strengths and the competitive landscape.