New Delhi,: Donald Trump’s decision to raise tariffs on Indian goods to 50% in August 2025 has created concern across trade sectors. However, India’s fast-growing $2.8 billion social media marketing services industry remains largely unaffected because of its unique structure and reliance on platform-based service delivery.
Shubham Agrawal, founder of Taptwice Media explained that the impact is minimal: “We have launched several projects targeting the US market, and while the tariff announcement initially created some negative sentiment, in practice it does not affect us. Our services operate through third-party platforms and aggregators, which are entirely outside the scope of goods tariffs.”
Why the Sector Is Unaffected
Social media marketing exports are conducted mainly through platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. These marketplaces classify transactions as services, not physical goods, meaning tariffs do not apply. Conservative estimates suggest Indian providers earn over ₹8,400 crores ($1.01 billion) annually through Upwork and ₹4,200 crores ($504 million) via Fiverr in social media marketing projects.
The strong domestic base adds further resilience. India has more than 500 million active social media users, including 414 million on Instagram, 320 million on Facebook, and 101 million on LinkedIn. Local brand campaigns already generate ₹16,800 crores ($2.01 billion) annually, while social commerce marketing adds another ₹4,200 crores ($504 million).
Taptwice Social’s Growth During Trade Tensions
Despite tariff news, Taptwice Social and Professionalfollowers.com achieved 200% growth in new clients between August and September 2025 compared to June and July. This growth came at the peak of tariff-related uncertainty, proving the immunity of service-based models.
Taptwice Social has emerged as the best service for LinkedIn followers growth in India. It offers safe, stable packages for individuals and companies, supported by local payment methods including Paytm, PhonePe, GPay, and UPI.
Competitive Advantages for Indian Agencies
Indian service providers continue to benefit from strong cost advantages, offering 60–75% lower rates than US competitors. Time zone differences enable round-the-clock service delivery. Platform fees such as Upwork’s 10–20% sliding commission and Fiverr’s 20% cut remain unaffected by geopolitical changes, while escrow-based payment systems guarantee financial security.
Industry investments of ₹1,050–1,470 crores ($126–176 million) in platform-focused tools have created 18,000–22,000 new jobs specialized for platform delivery. The 80–20 split between domestic and international revenue ensures even a full disruption in the US market would touch only a fraction of overall income, making the sector structurally safe.
Outlook for the Industry
The platform-first model positions Indian social media marketing firms for continued growth, regardless of trade policy changes. With ₹12,600 crores ($1.51 billion) in protected revenue streams and access to a $50+ billion US social media marketing market, the sector is well-placed to grow further while remaining insulated from tariff risks.
About Taptwice Media
Taptwice Media is a leading social media marketing agency focused on international expansion through platform strategies. Its subsidiary, Taptwice Social, has become one of India’s most trusted LinkedIn growth service providers, recording 200% client growth during August–September 2025.
