Riding the Digital Bharat Wave, Gokul Garg’s Kanpur Food Explorers Crosses 100,000 Followers on Instagram

Gokul Garg, Founder, Kanpur Food Explorers Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India – Business Wire IndiaKanpur Food Explorers (KFE), founded by local creator Gokul Garg, has recently crossed 100,000 Instagram followers, marking a significant milestone for the regional creator platform and reflecting the growing influence of local digital communities. India’s creator economy is expanding beyond the metros, with Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities emerging as growing hubs for content and influencer marketing.The rise of regional creators comes amid a growing digital audience, with 958 million active internet users in 2025, 57% from rural India, according to IAMAI-Kantar. Industry research also shows that Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities account for 43–48% of influencer campaigns, highlighting the growing relevance of creators beyond the metros.Garg started Kanpur Food Explorers in 2017 as a platform to discover and document Kanpur’s food culture and local experiences. Since then, it has grown into a community of over 100,000 Instagram followers.“When I started Kanpur Food Explorers, the idea was to showcase the food and experiences that made Kanpur special. Over time, my love for food opened up several career opportunities, and we realised we could create similar opportunities for others through consulting, marketing, photography, content and more.Today, Kanpur Food Explorers is more than just a city page. It connects local businesses, creators and audiences, while helping people discover Kanpur in new ways. What began with a passion for food has grown into a larger ecosystem of creativity, opportunities and storytelling, rooted in our love for the city.”— Gokul Garg, Founder, Kanpur Food ExplorersThe evolution of platforms such as KFE also reflects how the role of creators is changing in smaller cities. Local restaurants, retailers and emerging brands are increasingly working with creators who understand their audiences and cultural context, while creators themselves are building capabilities across content, social media, influencer marketing and consulting. As these regional ecosystems mature, India’s creator economy is becoming increasingly decentralised, with influence being built within the cities and communities creators know best.About Gokul GargGokul Garg is a Kanpur-based entrepreneur, content creator and digital strategist, and the founder of Kanpur Food Explorers, which he started in 2017 to showcase the city’s food and local experiences. Over the years, his work has expanded across content, social media, marketing and community building. He launched Social Bliss, a full-service social media marketing agency, in 2019 and also founded Backdrop Studios, a photography and videography studio for brands and creators. Through his ventures, Garg has worked with 400+ clients across India, while continuing to build KFE as a platform connecting local businesses, creators and audiences.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanpurfoodexplorers/ “This is a company press release that is not part of editorial content. No journalist of The Hindu businessline was involved in the publication of this release.” Published - September 29, 2026 10:54 am IST