UGC is the MVP of 2025 marketing, and the numbers prove it!
Here’s the deal: brands that use UGC see a 29% higher web conversion rate than those that don’t. Why? Because people don’t want perfection. They want proof. Proof that your product works, from someone who actually used it. No scripts, no filters.
That’s where user generated content (UGC) wins. It’s not just content, it’s credibility. It’s what takes your brand from “meh” to must-have.
Needless to say, we scroll fast and trust slow. That’s why UGC grabs attention, earns belief, and fuels decisions. And in 2025, that makes it your smartest growth move.
Read on to this blog to understand what User Generated Content is and why it is important for your brand in 2025.
Understanding User-Generated Content
User Generated Content or UGC is any form of content, be it photos, videos, reviews, social media posts, or testimonials, that is created by real people and not the brand. It’s your customers or followers talking about your product or services, Unfiltered, unpaid, and honest.
Why UGC Feels Different (Because It Is)
A real person saying “this worked for me” has 10x the power of your best copywriter.
People don’t trust brands. They trust people.
A company saying, “we’re the best” is expected.
A customer saying, “this saved my skin” is believable.
And believability sells.
UGC doesn’t try too hard. It’s messy. It’s raw. It’s human. And that’s exactly why it works.
Think of UGC as your brand’s social proof. And in 2025, social proof is everything.
- It builds trust faster than any ad.
- It creates community, not just followers.
- It sparks conversation instead of monologues.
But here’s the thing, UGC isn’t just about engagement. It drives revenue. And retention. And reach. After all, it’s the content that keeps on giving.
11 Types of User Generated Content That Brands Must Use In 2025
Here are 11 major types of user generated content that you should be aware of.
1. Reviews & Testimonials
These are written proof that someone used your product and liked it enough to tell the world.
2. Photos & Videos
When customers post photos and videos of using your products, it builds visual trust in potential customers.
3. Social Media Posts
This is one of the best forms of UGC where your customers talk about your brand on their social media, be it an Instagram shoutout or a TikTok tutorial.
4. Hashtag Campaigns
It’s when a brand creates a hashtag around their product or service and encourages people to post under the same hashtag.
5. Blog Posts & Articles
Blog posts and articles are long-form UGC that provide a thoughtful and detailed experience from users who love to write.
6. Live Streams
Live streams are real-time reaction content. Ideal for product trials, unboxing, or first impressions.
7. Ratings
People prefer to check a product’s rating before making a purchase. Therefore, ratings from real users serves as great UGC.
8. Q&A Forums
Q&A forums significantly help in building a community around your brand as users answer each other’s questions.
9. Contest Entries
Want more UGC? Add an incentive. Throw a challenge, offer a prize, and let your audience’s creativity do the rest.
10. B2B UGC
Client testimonials, case studies, or whitepapers written by users or industry experts are referred to as B2B UGC.
11. AI-Generated UGC
Sounds ironic, right? But AI tools don’t replace people, they amplify them. UGC made using AI still starts with a user. The idea is human, and the execution is tech-assisted. And yes, it counts.
Why is User generated content (UGC) important to brands?
User generated content (UGC) matters because it checks every box that modern marketing needs.
First off, it’s authentic. People seek honest opinions on a brand, and UGC gives them that. No wonder 6 out of 10 customers believe that UGC provides them with the most authentic review of a product.
Moreover, UGC is easily scalable as brands themselves don’t have to spend hours creating content. Your audience does it for you, and yes, they’re good at it.
Add to that the cost-effectiveness; you don’t have to spend as much as you would on traditional marketing campaigns.
And finally, it builds community and sparks conversation. Every tagged photo, every comment, every repost is a two-way interaction that brings your brand closer to the people who keep it alive.
That is why more brands are adding user generated content (UGC) into their overall marketing efforts, generally via a well-planned UGC marketing strategy that allows them to scale trust and engagement easily.
5 Brands That Got UGC Right: Best Examples
Want proof? These brands didn’t just embrace UGC. They owned it.
1. ASOS: #AsSeenOnMe
Online apparel brand ASOS encouraged its customers to post selfies in the apparel purchased from the ASOS site with the tag #AsSeenOnMe. These UGC were then displayed on the As Seen on Me page on the ASOS website.
2. Aerie: #AerieREAL
Aerie’s #AerieREAL campaign proved that UGC doesn’t need rewards, just a strong message. They encouraged customers to post unretouched swimsuit photos, promoting body positivity. For every post, Aerie donated $1 to the National Eating Disorders Association. It was all about real people, real impact.
3. Pringles: Personalized Music Videos
They built a chatbot that made custom videos. Users added their faces, picked a song, and shared it like wildfire. A contest prize (a trip to Ibiza Rocks) added fuel, but the real win? Mass content created by fans who felt like collaborators.
4. Spotify: #FindYourFeels
Music is emotional. Spotify leaned into that. Users shared stories tied to playlists, breakups, makeups, everything in between. The result? Raw, personal UGC that highlighted how deeply users connected with their playlists.
5. Netflix: Stranger Things Fandom
Fans drew art. Made memes. Built theories. Netflix didn’t just allow it, they reposted, celebrated, and amplified it. It turned a show into a subculture.
Pros and Cons of User Generated Content
Let’s go through the various advantages and disadvantages of user generated content
| Pros | Cons |
| Authentic and Trustworthy | Less Control Over Messaging |
| Feels raw, real, and relatable because it is. | You can’t script the internet. Sometimes it shows. |
| Cost-Effective Marketing | Moderation Required |
| No big budgets. Just big love from real users. | Moderation is important to make sure only relevant and right UGC goes on display. That’s why someone always has to moderate the content. |
| Boosts Engagement & Community | Inconsistent Quality |
| Every post is a spark. Conversations follow. | Not every photo’s a winner. And that’s okay sort of. |
| Drives Higher Conversions | Potential Legal or Copyright Issues |
| People trust people. That’s what sells. | Reuse without asking can lead to legal issues. |
| Improves Reach & Visibility | Over-Reliance Can Dilute Brand Voice |
| UGC helps your brand grow with improved reach and visibility. | With too much noise, your tone gets lost in it. |
How to Encourage Users for User Generated Content?
Let’s understand a few ways to encourage users to create content for your product or service.
- Invite users to share content under a common theme by running hashtag campaigns.
- Customers love being seen and valued. Therefore, feature customer posts on social media to build loyalty.
- Hold contests around user generated content or giveaways to gain more and more attraction.
- Try to spark conversation around your brand by asking direct questions or posting challenges.
- Make it easy for your followers to create UGC-style content by building brand templates or filters.
- You can also try to offer discounts or shoutouts to your customers for sharing honest reviews or photos.
- Build a community space where users feel free to interact and share their thoughts.
- Once a customer has made a purchase, make sure to add UGC calls-to-action via emails or packaging.
Conclusion
If you’re still treating UGC like a nice-to-have, you’re already behind. It’s the future of brand storytelling. Real people. Real stories. Real influence. It builds trust, sparks conversations, and keeps your brand relevant without draining your budget.
Whether it’s a TikTok, a review, or a shoutout from someone’s bedroom, this is the kind of content that actually converts.
So, stop chasing perfection. Start showing customer proofs. Because in 2025, the brands that win? They’re the ones that listen, repost, and let their users do the talking.
Frequently Asked Question about User generated content
1. What is an example of User generated content?
A prominent example of user generated content is a customer posting a video using a brand’s product. UGC is real, unsponsored content that comes straight from the user’s experience.
2. Why is UGC so powerful?
People trust people! With UGC, you add credibility to your content and brand, driving engagement and influencing buying decisions.
3. What are the risks of UGC?
It’s user-made, so quality, accuracy, and tone can vary. Plus, without proper rights, you risk legal or brand damage.
4. How reliable is User generated content?
UGC is trustworthy when it’s genuine and verified. Just be sure to moderate and source it responsibly.
