20 Strategies to Rule User-Generated Content (UGC) for Your Brand in 2025

User-generated content (UGC) is reshaping digital marketing. Consumers trust real experiences from other users more than traditional ads. In fact, 79% of people say UGC highly impacts their purchase decisions (Stackla).

But how do you make UGC work for your brand in 2025? This guide covers 20 powerful UGC strategies to maximize engagement, build trust, and drive conversions.

1. What Is User-Generated Content (UGC) and Why Does It Matter?

UGC stands for User-Generated Content—content created by customers rather than brands. This includes product reviews, social media posts, videos, and testimonials. Brands that leverage UGC see 6.9x more engagement than branded content (Social Media Today).

How Does UGC Work?

Customers create and share content featuring your brand.
This content appears on social media, websites, and ads.
Potential buyers trust authentic content, increasing conversions.

For example, Starbucks’ #RedCupContest encourages customers to post festive drink photos, boosting organic reach and engagement.

2. Leverage UGC for Social Media Growth

How to Get UGC for Your Brand on Social Media

Create Branded Hashtags: Coca-Cola’s #ShareACoke campaign generated thousands of user posts.
Launch Contests & Challenges: TikTok dance challenges drive massive engagement.
Feature UGC in Stories & Posts: Showcasing real customers builds authenticity.
Partner with Micro-Influencers: They create natural-looking UGC at a lower cost.

Brands using UGC on social media see a 28% higher engagement rate compared to brand-created content (Tint).

3. Use UGC in Paid Advertising for Better Conversions

What Does UGC Mean in Advertising?

UGC ads feature real customer content instead of staged brand promotions. These ads:

Increase click-through rates by 4x compared to traditional ads (Tint).
Perform better on platforms like TikTok, where authentic content thrives.
Drive more trust, as 92% of consumers prefer UGC over brand ads.

How to Integrate UGC in Advertising

Use customer testimonial videos in Facebook & Instagram ads.
Repurpose user content into TikTok and YouTube ads.
Feature real-life product experiences in social media campaigns.

4. Collect More Customer Reviews & Testimonials

Why Reviews Matter for UGC Marketing

72% of consumers won’t buy without reading a review (BrightLocal).
Google ranks businesses higher when they have frequent customer reviews.
Real customer photos in reviews increase trust and conversions.

How to Encourage More UGC Reviews

Offer discounts for leaving reviews.
Use email follow-ups to request feedback.
Feature customer testimonials on product pages for credibility.

For example, Amazon boosts trust by showcasing real customer images within product reviews, helping shoppers make informed decisions.

5. Create UGC-Style Content for TikTok & Instagram Reels

What Is UGC Content for Short-Form Video?

UGC-style videos feel real, unscripted, and natural—making them more relatable than polished ads. TikTok UGC videos see 22% more engagement than branded videos (SocialMediaToday).

Best Types of UGC Videos

Product Unboxings – Showcasing first impressions.
Day-in-the-Life Videos – Featuring your product in real-life situations.
How-To Tutorials – Helping users see the product in action.
Reaction & Testimonial Videos – Authentic experiences from real users.

6. Repurpose UGC Across Multiple Channels

Where to Use UGC?

Social Media – Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn.
Website – Feature UGC testimonials on landing pages.
Emails – Use customer reviews in promotional emails.
Ads – Facebook & Google Ads perform better with real user content.

Brands repurposing UGC across different platforms see 35% higher content engagement (Tint).

7. Use UGC to Boost SEO Rankings

Google prioritizes fresh, relevant content. UGC can improve search rankings by:

Increasing time spent on your site with real user reviews.
Enhancing content diversity (videos, images, testimonials).
Providing fresh content with frequent updates.

For example, businesses with 100+ user reviews rank higher in local search results (BrightLocal).

8. Build a UGC-Driven Community for Your Brand

Brands with strong UGC communities have higher engagement. Nike’s Run Club and LEGO Ideas are great examples of user-driven communities.

How to Create a UGC Community

Launch a dedicated forum or Facebook Group for brand fans.
Encourage members to share their experiences using your product.
Reward top contributors with exclusive perks.

9. Implement UGC in Email Marketing

Email campaigns featuring UGC see 29% higher open rates (Campaign Monitor).

How to Use UGC in Emails

Showcase customer success stories in newsletters.
Embed user-generated product images in promotional emails.
Personalize emails by including user testimonials.

10. Use AI to Curate and Moderate UGC

Managing UGC manually can be overwhelming. AI-powered tools like TINT, Stackla, and Yotpo help brands:

Filter out low-quality or irrelevant content automatically.
Analyze UGC performance and identify top-performing content.
Ensure brand safety by moderating user submissions.

Brands using AI-driven UGC curation see a 21% increase in content efficiency (Tint).

11. Collaborate with Influencers to Boost UGC Impact

Influencers play a crucial role in user-generated content marketing. Brands that partner with influencers for UGC campaigns see 11x higher ROI than traditional ads (Influencer Marketing Hub).

How to Use Influencers for UGC

Encourage influencers to create UGC challenges on platforms like TikTok.
Send PR packages and ask for authentic content in return.
Host co-branded giveaways to increase user participation.
Leverage micro-influencers who have a more engaged community.

Example: Gymshark collaborates with fitness influencers who share their real workout experiences, making UGC more relatable and effective.

12. Integrate UGC into Live Streaming & Webinars

Live UGC is becoming a powerful way to engage audiences. Live videos receive 3x more engagement than pre-recorded videos (Facebook).

Ways to Use UGC in Live Streaming

Feature live customer testimonials in your webinars.
React to user-submitted videos during live streams.
Run live Q&A sessions featuring real customer feedback.
Host user-generated unboxing events to showcase products.

Example: Sephora uses Instagram Live to highlight UGC-based makeup tutorials, increasing customer interaction.

13. Utilize UGC in Product Development

UGC is not just for marketing—it can help shape product innovation. 76% of consumers say brands that incorporate customer feedback into products are more trustworthy (Bazaarvoice).

How to Use UGC for Product Development

Analyze customer feedback from reviews and social media.
Use polls and surveys to collect user opinions.
Identify common user pain points to improve future products.

Example: LEGO Ideas allows fans to submit product designs, and the best ideas get turned into real LEGO sets.

14. Turn UGC into Shoppable Content

Shoppable UGC allows customers to buy products directly from user-generated posts, reducing friction in the buying journey. Brands using shoppable UGC see a 30% increase in conversions (Yotpo).

How to Make UGC Shoppable

Tag products in UGC on Instagram Shopping.
Embed UGC galleries on product pages.
Use TikTok’s “Shop Now” feature on UGC posts.

Example: GoPro features customer adventure videos with direct links to purchase cameras.

15. Optimize UGC for Different Platforms

Different platforms require different types of UGC.

Platform	Best UGC Content
Instagram	Lifestyle photos, Reels, Stories
TikTok	Short-form videos, Challenges
YouTube	Long-form reviews, Tutorials
Twitter	Text-based testimonials, Images
Facebook	Community discussions, Live streams

Brands that tailor UGC for each platform see 40% more engagement (Hootsuite).

16. Reward & Recognize UGC Creators

Customers who create content for your brand should feel appreciated. 84% of people create UGC because they want recognition (Stackla).

Ways to Reward UGC Creators

Feature their content on your official pages.
Offer discounts or exclusive perks for UGC submissions.
Give shout-outs on social media.

Example: Airbnb showcases top user-generated travel photos on its homepage, giving exposure to content creators.

17. Automate UGC Collection with AI Tools

Manually managing UGC can be time-consuming. AI-powered tools help streamline the process.

Top AI Tools for UGC Management

TINT – Aggregates and analyzes UGC across platforms.
Stackla – Uses AI to find high-quality user content.
Yotpo – Helps collect and display customer reviews.

Brands using AI for UGC curation see a 21% increase in efficiency (Tint).

18. Use UGC in Retargeting Campaigns

UGC is highly effective in remarketing because it provides social proof. Retargeting campaigns featuring UGC have a 35% lower cost-per-click (CPC) than traditional ads (AdRoll).

How to Use UGC for Retargeting

Show testimonials to visitors who abandoned their cart.
Use customer review snippets in retargeting ads.
Retarget engaged social media users with UGC-based promotions.

Example: ASOS uses UGC in dynamic ads to re-engage website visitors with real customer photos.

19. Incorporate UGC into Email Marketing

Emails featuring UGC generate 29% higher open rates and 73% more click-throughs (Campaign Monitor).

How to Use UGC in Email Campaigns

Include customer testimonials in promotional emails.
Feature real user-generated images instead of stock photos.
Send personalized recommendations based on UGC content.

Example: Glossier’s emails include real customer selfies using their products, making promotions feel more relatable.

20. Monitor & Measure UGC Performance

To maximize UGC’s impact, brands must track performance using analytics tools.

Key Metrics to Measure UGC Success

Metric	What It Tracks
Engagement Rate	Likes, shares, comments on UGC posts
Conversion Rate	Sales driven by UGC content
Reach & Impressions	How many people see UGC
Customer Sentiment	Positive vs. negative feedback

Example: Nike tracks UGC performance with hashtag analytics, measuring brand sentiment and user engagement.

Final Thoughts

UGC is no longer optional—it’s essential. Brands that prioritize user-generated content see higher engagement, more trust, and increased sales. By implementing these 20 strategies, you can harness the full power of UGC to grow your brand in 2025.