UGC Content Examples
In a recent blog post, we talked all about “user-generated content” – what it is, how to use it, and why it’s so valuable. UGC is the term for content that’s created not by brands or big influencers, but by real people and real social media users.. UGC is generally more trusted by the masses, since it’s not part of advertising or paid promotion. It comes across as more authentic, and it has much more potential to go viral – since “realness” is at the heart of what people really want from social media in 2022.
UGC helps tap into the concept of social proof, which is a psychological phenomenon where people want to do what their peers are doing – and they are much more likely to believe reviews and recommendations from people they already know and trust. UGC is high on the social proof scale, especially compared to celebrity or influencer marketing, which can seem extremely out of touch.
Here are some UGC Content examples that we think you’ll find achievable and easy to integrate into your social media strategy.
Reel/TikTok format
A reel on Instagram or a TikTok are great ways to break into UGC. TikToks and Reels provide the opportunity for users to be themselves, be playful and energetic, and show off their favorite things for their audiences.
TikToks and Reels are algorithmically designed to be shown to more people who are looking to discover new accounts, so these two methods are highly recommended for those trying to break into UGC marketing. Some examples of UGC reels and TikToks would be:
My top 5 favorite protein powders of 2022: A fitness influencer dances in a video while highlighting her favorite protein powders for 2022. She isn’t being paid to feature any of these brands, but they genuinely are just her favorite.
Get ready with me (GRWM):
The “get ready with me” or morning routine reels and TikToks are particularly popular among viewers from 17-35. These are powerful forms of UGC because content creators aren’t making the videos to sell products – they genuinely love them, and they’re taking their viewers along for the ride. Any products, services, workouts, or apps mentioned in the video are promoted to audiences in an organic, authentic way.
@teabby i’m basically living my own 2000s chick flick #grwm #2000s #mystyle #thriftedfashion ♬ original sound – memoriesyoulove
What I eat in a day:
These are another very popular video format on TikTok and Instagram. Typically, an influencer, whether it be in the health and wellness or fitness space, or perhaps a dietician – will display everything they ate that day, from breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner to desserts and drinks. These are a great organic way for food products, drinks, and even supplements to make their way to audiences organically without being featured as a part of an ad campaign.Curly girl hair routine/ oily skin morning routine: Haircare and skincare routine videos are very popular on TikTok and Instagram. When a content creator, small or large, walks through their self-care routine, this type of video can be very motivating for others, especially if they share a feature with the creator – curly hair, oily skin, or clothing size. Influencers do create this type of content, but when smaller users create it, it can appear more honest and well-meaning, since they’re not being paid to promote anything and are just sharing what they genuinely love.
This type of UGC is especially powerful because it’s not promoting any specific product at all, but it’s just showing what the creator themself loves enough to use every day. That’s a very strong form of social proof, even if the creator doesn’t explicitly say “I love this product.”
Actions speak louder than words!
@jellybean.celine i can’t complain! i spent all day reading, watching oth and making yummy drinks and food what i ate in a day #19 !! #food #drinks #whatieatinaday ♬ original sound – Celine Tran
Product review
This type of UGC is pretty straightforward – a happy user details their experience with a product and reviews it, whether in short-form video on Instagram or TikTok, or with a longer video on YouTube. YouTube can be a great place to post product reviews, because consumers often go to YouTube as a last stop before buying when they want to hear a really in-depth testimonial.
Here are some examples of product reviews:
Things I bought because I saw them.
@cherishandfavor # momhack #amazon #amazonfinds #amazonreview #amazonmusthave #musthaves #productreview #babyproduct #fyp #foryou #Teleport #ScienceFair ♬ original sound – Dope Stuff
Rating the Kardashian’s favourite blanket
@tinx not to be dramatic I would die for this blanket SPONSOR ME #barefootdreams #productreview #kimkardashian #khloekardashian #kardashians #amazonfinds ♬ original sound – Tinx
Before making a purchase, research shows that more than 75% of people read reviews before buying. A video testimonial review is equivalent to reading 100 written Google reviews, because you’re getting a more honey, emotional, and first-row seat to the user’s experience.
A video testimonial is social proof that a product is worth purchasing, and chances are that UGC video reviews will do very well with the Instagram and TikTok algorithms.
Product reviews can also be created in the form of stories, photos, and written captions detailing the experience of using a product. “Before and after” pictures are particularly useful, since users will want to see the actual results and proof that another person had with a product For example, a content creator who used a new haircare line might snap pics of before use and after, so her audience can see how dramatic the results are.
In general, companies who use UGC product reviews instead of influencer marketing or traditional paid ads have more trust with their customers, more sales, and more positive branding. Never forget: The most powerful marketing message is a story, and a real product review from a real person tells the most important story of all:
That your product is great, worth buying, and worth talking about. There’s no better testimonial than a happy user, after all.
Selfie (or video) with Product
Here’s another example of UGC content that’s pretty easy and low-effort to incorporate.
This format of UGC is simple but powerful: A content creator, typically a normal social media user or micro influencer, takes a selfie (or quick video) with a product as a way of vouching for it. Selfies can translate into sales for one key reason: Social proof. If a social media user loves something enough to put their face next to it and post it online, this is a strong form of social proof and may influence casual browsers to give the product a try.
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Social media buyers are much more likely to resonate and relate to real people. If an influencer or a celebrity takes a photo with a product, it’s almost guaranteed to be part of a promotion. However, if a normal social media user goes out of their way to take a photo with a product and post it, this boosts the “realness” of the promotion – making it more appealing to people who are simply tired of feeling “sold to.”
A selfie or video with a product, like this collagen product, might have some text over it explaining what the product is, why they love it, or simply naming the product and then explaining the details in the caption. It’s possible to do this with photos, but keep in mind that videos and short reels are becoming far more popular on Instagram’s algorithm.
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The selfie could be of the content creator’s face and the product, a full-body shot, or the product somewhere in the periphery of the photo. If the product is more of a service, like Rent the Runway, perhaps the selfie will feature an outfit. If it’s food or beverage related, a selfie idea could feature the food, drink, or supplement. There are tons of ways to get creative with UGC selfies – it all just depends on your target audience and what you’d like them to do next.
Product Demo
With this type of UGC, a user will demonstrate themselves using a product or service as a “how-to.” For example, if a content creator really loves a cooking service or meal prep kit, they might make a demo video showing how easy it is to make the meals. If they got a new piece of workout equipment, they might demonstrate themselves using it to show other users how easy/ fun it is.
@vivralifestyle Reply to @craftbunny901 Perfect accessory for leggings #bumbag #productdemo #productreviewtesting #productreview #phonehack #fyp #foryoupage ♬ original sound – VIVRA
The goal of a product demo is to make viewers see it in their own lives – just how easy, attantinable, or efficient something is. A product demo will typically go into more detail than a selfie or other forms of UGC, since content creators aim to walk people through every single step of using a product or a service.
@sequinwallsukofficial Flexible, great for round objects #DazItUp #sequin #sequintiles #sequinpanels #premium #sequinwallsukofficial #productdemo ♬ Banana (feat. Shaggy) [DJ FLe – Minisiren Remix] – Conkarah
Product demos can be applied to many different types of products and industries, and currently, TikTok and Instagram features lots of beauty demos, skincare demos, makeup demos, and in some cases, “unboxing” videos where content creators film themselves pulling something out of the box and testing it out for the very first time.
The key difference between a product demo and a video testimonial is that demos will actually walk through how to use something, step by step, and will usually showcase footage of the content creator doing so. There still may be positive language or praise infused in the video, but the focus should be more about how to use something and make it seem more approachable and possible for consumers to use too.
Brand intro
This type of UGC is great for new or smaller brands trying to build market recognition and create positive branding. With brand intro UGC, a content creator will introduce your brand to their audience – and this could be done in any of the formats above. Unboxing videos, product demo, and testimonial videos are popular for brand introductions.
Here’s a video introducing a skincare company as the creator talks through why she loves the product.
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In a brand introduction, it’s important that creators talk about your brand, what you do, what your goals are, and any special or important features that differentiate you in the market.
It’s also important to remember that focusing on brand identity will help you sell to your ideal customer.
For example, if you are a brand that’s proud of using all vegan or organic products, these facts should be mentioned in UGC because they will likely be very important to your ideal audience.
If you are a woman-owned or minority-owned business, this could be important to mention because many people supporting small businesses want to focus on diversity.
In this Instagram picture, a creator introduces a brand she personally uses and talks about exactly why they’re so great.
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natural minded living (@thenaturalmindedmomma)No matter what your differentiators are, they will be very important for a brand introduction video. It’s also important to include details like where you ship to, other products and items you sell, and more about brand identity. In your brand introduction videos, you should imagine that the creator is talking to your ideal audience.
Brand introductions can create awareness of your brand in the market, which is very powerful. The right type of UGC brand introduction videos can help you find and keep new customers for life. If you’re a small business or just starting out, consider beginning with a brand introduction to help launch your name into the right social media space.
Lifestyle Shots
Lifestyle shots are a type of content made popular for influencers: Basically, a content creator creates content through video or photo that showcases a product in their own life. These shots are typically less about testimonial and review and more about aesthetic.
Lifestyle shots are more about selling a “lifestyle” or personal brand than the actual product, but they are still very powerful forms of UGC. Social media is a place where people look to content creators for inspiration in their own lives, whether it be for beauty, fitness, eating healthy, or how to make their lifestyle feel more luxurious.
Examples of lifestyle shots would be:
- + Reading a specific book at the pool or beach.
- + Panning over your ideal living space
- + Jewelry hanging on a rock or from someone’s neck up close
- + Skincare photographed in an artistic way
- + Plant or flower photos
- + Travel-related photos or videos featuring a product
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Lifestyle shots could be almost anything, but the key differentiator to lifestyle UGC is displaying a certain aesthetic, beauty, or charm in the images. These are a pretty easy form of UGC to take, once you understand how they should look.
UGC lifestyle shots are very popular on TikTok and Instagram, and they typically fall within the content creators’ goal aesthetic or niche. Lifestyle shots can be a great way to help niche yourself as a certain type of product or service.