‘Internet People’ Founder Myriam Roche on Building the Archive France’s Creator Economy Never Had

Why It Matters

By documenting the untold history, the project gives marketers, investors and policymakers a reference point for evaluating influencer strategies and supports emerging creators in building sustainable businesses.

Key Takeaways

• Les Gens d’Internet draws 80,000 monthly visitors, 600k YouTube views.
• Documentary series archives France’s 20‑year creator‑economy history in three episodes.
• Early French influencer impact centered on YouTube, not Instagram.
• Brands still lack clear metrics to evaluate influencer performance.
• New creator‑entrepreneurs launch product lines, echoing U.S. creator economy.

Pulse Analysis

The French creator economy has matured from a niche blogosphere into a multi‑billion‑euro industry, yet its story has been largely invisible to mainstream media. Early adopters operated without a shared vocabulary, and brands experimented with influencer deals without robust measurement tools. Myriam Roche’s transition from a pandemic‑era blog to the B2B outlet Les Gens d’Internet reflects a broader demand for structured coverage, positioning the platform as a rare source of data and analysis for a market that grew faster than its institutional frameworks.

Roche’s three‑part documentary, titled “Internet People,” serves as the first comprehensive archive of France’s influencer landscape. By interviewing 20 pioneers—from the first fashion bloggers to the agencies that brokered early YouTube deals—the series uncovers a surprising hierarchy: YouTube, not Instagram, was the primary catalyst for brand investment. The episodes also highlight persistent gaps in metric literacy, with many brands still unsure how to translate views, likes, or comments into purchase intent. This lack of analytical fluency hampers both large and small advertisers, underscoring the need for standardized benchmarks across platforms.

Looking ahead, the documentary foreshadows a shift toward creator‑entrepreneurship, mirroring trends seen in the United States. As French influencers launch product lines in categories like kombucha, matcha, and cosmetics, they confront the same institutional void that earlier bloggers faced—no clear frameworks for scaling revenue or measuring impact. For marketers and investors, the archive offers a roadmap to navigate this evolving ecosystem, while policymakers can use the insights to shape regulations that support sustainable growth. In short, Roche’s work not only preserves history but also equips the industry with the tools needed for the next phase of digital commerce.