TikTok UGC: The Ultimate Guide for 2025
If you’ve spent time on TikTok, you’ve likely seen brands using real people’s videos instead of traditional ads. That’s User-Generated Content (UGC)—content created by everyday users, not companies. And in 2025, it’s more powerful than ever.
People trust people. Research shows that 92 percent of consumers trust UGC more than brand-created content (Nielsen). Instead of scripted ads, brands now rely on TikTok users to showcase their products naturally. If you’re a creator, marketer, or business owner, understanding TikTok UGC can give you a major advantage.
What Does UGC on TikTok Mean?
TikTok UGC refers to videos made by regular users sharing their real experiences with products, services, or trends. Unlike influencer partnerships, UGC is not about personal branding but about creating content that looks and feels organic.
And it works. Studies show that UGC-based ads get 29 percent higher conversion rates than traditional ads (Meta Business). People are more likely to buy when they see others genuinely enjoying a product.
Common Types of UGC on TikTok
Most people engage with UGC daily without even realizing it. Here are some examples:
- Product Reviews: A creator testing a skincare product and sharing honest feedback
- Unboxing Videos: First reactions to a new gadget or fashion item
- Tutorials and How-To’s: Step-by-step guides for using a product
- Before and After Transformations: Showcasing progress in fitness, beauty, or home improvement
- Trend Participation: Users integrating a brand’s product into viral TikTok challenges
Brands are not just waiting for UGC to happen. Many actively encourage customers to create content and later repurpose it in ads, boosting engagement and trust.
How to Become a TikTok UGC Creator (Without Being an Influencer)
Unlike influencers, UGC creators don’t need a massive following to get paid. Brands care more about content quality and reliability than follower count. This makes TikTok UGC a huge opportunity for anyone who enjoys creating videos.
What Do TikTok UGC Creators Do?
A TikTok UGC creator makes videos for brands to use in their marketing. These videos are designed to feel natural, as if a regular user is sharing their experience. The brand may post the content on its own TikTok account, use it in ads, or share it on other platforms.
How Much Can UGC Creators Make?
Rates vary based on content quality, experience, and brand budget. According to industry reports:
| Content Type | Average Rate per Video |
| Basic UGC Video (15-30 sec) | $100 – $250 |
| High-Quality UGC (Edited) | $300 – $500 |
| UGC Ad with Usage Rights | $500 – $1,500 |
Some creators make over $10,000 per month by working with multiple brands. Those who specialize in high-quality, high-converting UGC can demand higher rates.
How to Get Started as a UGC Creator
- Choose Your Niche: Beauty, tech, fitness, food, or lifestyle are popular categories.
- Create a UGC Portfolio: Showcase sample videos even if you haven’t worked with brands yet.
- Use the Right Hashtags: Tag videos with #UGCCreator, #UGCVideo, and #TikTokUGC to get discovered.
- Pitch to Brands: Contact companies directly or join UGC platforms like Billo, Trend.io, or Upwork.
- Stay Consistent: The more content you create, the better your chances of landing paid work.
Many brands now prefer UGC over traditional influencer marketing because it feels more relatable. If you create high-quality videos, you can turn this into a full-time income.
Why Brands Are Investing More in TikTok UGC
Brands have realized that traditional ads are losing effectiveness. According to a study by HubSpot, consumers scroll past traditional ads 82 percent of the time (HubSpot). UGC, on the other hand, seamlessly blends into users’ feeds, making it harder to ignore.
Key Benefits of TikTok UGC for Brands
- Authenticity Drives Sales: Customers relate more to real people than polished brand ads.
- Higher Engagement: TikTok’s algorithm favors organic-looking content over obvious ads.
- Cost-Effective: Instead of paying influencers thousands per post, brands can get multiple UGC videos for the same price.
- Better Ad Performance: UGC-based TikTok ads deliver four times higher click-through rates than traditional ads (TikTok for Business).
How Brands Source UGC on TikTok
Brands don’t just wait for UGC to appear—they actively encourage and curate it through different strategies:
- Branded Hashtag Challenges: Encouraging users to create content around a specific theme.
- UGC Creator Marketplaces: Platforms like TikTok Creator Marketplace help brands find UGC creators.
- Customer Incentives: Offering discounts, free products, or giveaways in exchange for UGC.
- UGC Licensing: Purchasing the rights to use high-performing user content in ads.
For example, E.l.f. Cosmetics’ “Eyes Lips Face” campaign generated over 5 million user videos by encouraging users to create content with their custom sound. The campaign was so successful that it led to a 30 percent sales increase (AdWeek).
TikTok UGC Trends to Watch in 2025
The UGC landscape is evolving fast. Here are some trends that will shape TikTok UGC in 2025:
- AI-Generated UGC: Brands are experimenting with AI tools to create more personalized UGC experiences.
- Longer UGC Videos: TikTok’s focus on longer videos (up to 10 minutes) is pushing brands to invest in storytelling-driven UGC.
- Live Shopping with UGC: More brands are integrating UGC into TikTok Live to drive real-time sales.
- UGC + AR Effects: Augmented reality (AR) is making UGC more interactive, allowing users to “try on” products virtually.
- Performance-Based UGC Deals: Instead of flat rates, some brands are offering commission-based UGC partnerships, where creators earn based on views or conversions.
With TikTok’s 1.5 billion active users worldwide (Statista), UGC will continue to be a dominant force in digital marketing. Brands that master UGC will have a competitive edge, while creators who understand how to produce engaging content can build a lucrative career.
How to Leverage TikTok UGC for Maximum Impact in 2025
TikTok UGC isn’t just a trend—it’s a marketing shift that brands can’t afford to ignore. Whether you’re a business owner, marketer, or content creator, using UGC strategically can significantly boost engagement, trust, and sales.
For Brands: How to Source and Use UGC Effectively
If you’re a brand looking to integrate UGC into your TikTok marketing strategy, here are some proven methods:
1. Encourage Organic UGC from Customers
Customers naturally share experiences with brands they love. Encouraging this organic content can be as simple as:
- Creating branded hashtag challenges (like #GymShark66, which generated over 240 million views)
- Reposting high-quality customer videos (always with permission)
- Offering incentives such as discounts, features, or loyalty points for user-generated content
A great example is Chipotle’s “Lid Flip Challenge,” which inspired thousands of users to try flipping their burrito bowl lids, generating over 110,000 user videos (TikTok for Business).
2. Work with TikTok UGC Creators
Instead of hiring influencers, many brands now work with TikTok UGC creators who produce content that looks organic but is tailored for marketing. Unlike influencers, these creators:
- Don’t require a following—brands use their content for ads, not their personal pages
- Deliver high-converting videos optimized for TikTok’s algorithm
- Charge per video, not per post, making it more affordable
Brands can find TikTok UGC creators through:
- TikTok Creator Marketplace
- UGC platforms like Billo, Trend.io, or Insense
- Freelance sites like Upwork and Fiverr
3. Repurpose UGC Across Multiple Channels
One of the biggest advantages of UGC is its versatility. A single TikTok video can be repurposed into:
- Instagram Reels
- Facebook ads
- YouTube Shorts
- Email marketing campaigns
- Website testimonials
For example, Sephora repurposed UGC from TikTok into paid Instagram ads, resulting in a 23 percent lower cost per acquisition (Meta Business).
4. Run UGC Ads for Higher Conversions
Traditional brand ads often feel forced, but UGC-based ads blend seamlessly into TikTok feeds. This is why brands that use UGC in ads see:
- 4x higher click-through rates
- 50 percent lower cost-per-click than traditional ads
- More engagement and shares
A great example is Fashion Nova, which runs TikTok ads featuring regular users styling their outfits. This approach has helped the brand dominate fast fashion on TikTok, generating millions in monthly sales (Adweek).
The Future of TikTok UGC: What to Expect in 2025
As TikTok continues to evolve, so does the landscape of UGC. Here are key trends shaping the future:
1. AI-Generated UGC Will Grow
Brands are starting to use AI-powered tools to generate hyper-personalized UGC. AI can now:
- Analyze audience preferences and suggest UGC styles that work best
- Create synthetic voices and deepfake-style avatars that look like real people
- Help brands find the best UGC creators based on engagement data
2. More Brands Will Shift to UGC-Based E-Commerce
TikTok Shop and live shopping events will integrate UGC into e-commerce experiences. This means:
- Brands will use UGC in product listings instead of staged product photos
- Live shopping hosts will rely on UGC to demonstrate products in real-time
- More brands will incentivize customers to create UGC in exchange for discounts
This trend is already massive in China, where TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, generated over $10 billion in e-commerce sales through live shopping (Forbes).
3. UGC Licensing Will Become the Norm
Instead of just reposting UGC, brands will purchase licensing rights to high-performing user videos. This means:
- Creators will be paid upfront and earn passive income from licensed content
- Brands can use UGC across multiple platforms without legal concerns
- Performance-based licensing may emerge, where creators get paid based on ad success
TikTok’s Branded Content Toggle and Creator Marketplace updates will likely make UGC licensing more accessible for brands in 2025.
4. UGC Will Influence SEO and Search Trends
TikTok is becoming a major search engine, with 40 percent of Gen Z preferring TikTok over Google for finding products (Google). As this continues:
- Brands will optimize UGC for search terms like “best budget skincare” or “affordable gym leggings”
- TikTok UGC will appear in Google search results as short-form video snippets gain priority
- Creators who optimize their UGC for search will get more brand deals
Final Thoughts: Why TikTok UGC is Essential in 2025
TikTok UGC isn’t just another marketing tactic—it’s reshaping digital advertising, e-commerce, and content creation. With platforms prioritizing authentic, community-driven content, brands that embrace UGC will see:
- Higher engagement and trust
- Lower ad costs and higher conversions
- More organic reach and sales
For creators, TikTok UGC is a growing career opportunity. Whether you want to get paid for creating content or work behind the scenes for brands, UGC allows you to monetize your creativity without being an influencer.
In 2025, brands that don’t leverage UGC will struggle to keep up. Whether you’re a business or a creator, now is the time to build your UGC strategy and stay ahead of the competition.
