<b>Q4 creator rates run 30–55% above Q2 for identical deliverables.</b>

<b>Q4 creator rates run 30–55% above Q2 for identical deliverables.</b>

Fee index by quarter (Q2 = 100):
Q1 ████████░░ 92–98
Q2 ████████░░ 100
Q3 █████████░ 105–112
Q4 ████████████ 130–155

Demand, not value, drives the spike — the same creator delivers the same reach at a 40% markup in November. Brands that lock annual retainers in Q1 sidestep the seasonal tax entirely.

So what: book Q4 inventory in Q1–Q2 at off-peak rates, or pay the holiday premium.

Benchmark: n=300 creators tracked across four quarters, US/EU.