The Benefits of UGC and Why It’s High Time You Started Caring About It

How many hours have you spent watching influencers on social media? Probably more than you’d care to admit. (Don’t worry, us too.) 

And when was the last time you paused to watch an ad? Never? You let it blend into the background and mentally tune it out? 

Shocker. 

That’s because user-generated content (UGC) is just simply better than traditional ads. 

It can be anything – a quick selfie with a product or an in-depth review of a service – but it’s a lot more personable than a traditional ad. We’re here to break down the benefits of UGC and how it can help you build better relationships with your customers.

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Let’s get right into it!

The Rise of UGC in Marketing 

Think about the last time you made a purchase based on someone else’s

recommendation. It probably wasn’t an ad you saw from the brand itself but a friend’s post, a YouTube video, or a product review on a blog. 

This is exactly what makes UGC in marketing so effective – instead of brands telling the audience how great their products are, real customers are showing it. 

One of the main user-generated content advantages is that it offers a level of authenticity that traditional advertising simply can’t replicate. When a user shares a positive experience with a product, it feels less like a sales pitch and more like a recommendation from a friend.

The Main Advantages of User-Generated Content 

There are a ton of benefits of user-generated content, but a few truly steal the spotlight. That’s why we’ve rounded up the top 6 – once you see the potential of this strategy, you’ll be inspired to give it a go for your brand! 

Here’s what we love the most about UGC:

It’s Authentic & Boosts Trust 

When talking about the advantages of user-generated content, authenticity is the first and most important one to mention. 

Let’s be real: in today’s world, trust is hard to come by. Consumers are bombarded with slick, polished ads every day, and it’s easy to feel skeptical. But UGC cuts through the noise. It’s content created by real people, not a marketing team. This raw, unfiltered authenticity makes a big difference. 

A post from an influencer feels more relatable and genuine compared to an advertisement. According to a study by Stackla, 79% of consumers say UGC impacts their purchasing decisions. So, when you share content from your customers, you’re not just getting free material – you’re also building a solid foundation of trust that’ll keep people coming back.

It Drives Engagement 

One of the most powerful things about UGC is its ability to create conversation. When users post content related to your brand, they become emotionally invested. They’re not just passive followers – they’re active participants. This engagement helps build a community around your brand. 

UGC doesn’t just build engagement; it amplifies it. Users are more likely to comment, share, and interact with content that resonates with them. Whether it’s a review on Instagram or a video tutorial on YouTube, UGC encourages people to jump in and share their own thoughts, which in turn fuels even more interaction. 

It’s a cycle that keeps your brand top of mind and increases visibility, especially when users share their content with their own networks.

It’s a Cost-Effective Solution 

How much does a professional ad really cost? Let’s see… You’ve got the fancy photoshoots, the endless video edits, the crew, the props, and, oh, don’t forget, the post-production. Add it all up, and… your budget is already waving a white flag. Creating high-quality content isn’t cheap, and those costs pile up. 

But with UGC? 

Your partner creators do the heavy lifting for you, helping you save on production costs. This then means you can allocate resources to other areas of your marketing strategy. 

Of course, it’s not free – nothing is – but it’s substantially cheaper than a traditional ad and all it entails.

Diverse Content = Different Perspectives 

Was it Einstein that said insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results? 

The long-late physicist probably wasn’t talking about Instagram ads, but the point still stands – marketing isn’t about hitting your audience with the same message over and over. In fact, that gets boring pretty quickly. 

Diversifying your content is key to keeping your audience engaged, and UGC is the perfect way to mix things up. 

When your partners create content, they do it in their own style and voice. They showcase different perspectives, use the product in unique ways, and create content that reflects their personal experience. 

Essentially, UGC provides you with a whole content team without the overhead – just let your creators do their thing and don’t micromanage them.

It Gives Your Products Social Proof 

We’ve already established that people trust their peers more than brands and that social proof plays a huge role in influencing buying decisions. UGC is a prime example of this – when consumers see their peers posting about a product they love, it makes the brand more credible. 

Think about it: if you’re on the fence about a purchase, would you be more likely to trust a review from a friend or a professionally made ad? UGC serves as social proof that your product or service is worth checking out. It shows that real people like your brand – and their opinions matter more than any marketing message.

It Gives Brands Insights for Improvement 

Feedback is a goldmine for any brand, and UGC can serve as a window into how customers feel about your product. 

When your partners share their experiences, they’re not just offering praise – they’ll also talk about the drawbacks. This not only makes the content more authentic and genuine, but it also serves as a way for you to see what you can improve.

What Kinds of User-Generated Content Are There? 

UGC isn’t just limited to one type of content. It comes in many forms, giving you endless ways to engage with your audience. Here are a few examples: 

• Social media posts – experiences with your product shared on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter, 

• Reviews and testimonials – reviews on platforms like Amazon, Yelp, or your own website, 

• Photos and videos – pictures or videos of creators using your product along with their thoughts, experiences, or how-tos, 

• Blogs and articles – written content where users share their opinions and experiences, 

• Contests and submissions – user-submitted photos, videos, or stories as part of a brand-sponsored contest, 

• Product unboxing – videos where users show the first time they open your product – which is especially useful when you’re testing out a new packaging design! 

We can add some of our own examples here, e.g., screenshots of things UGC Factory has done.

Final Thoughts 

If you haven’t already jumped on the UGC bandwagon, now is the time. 

The benefits of user-generated content – authenticity, engagement, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to gather valuable insights – make it an unskippable part of any modern marketing strategy. 

When your customers become your content creators, the result isn’t just better marketing but a deeper connection with your audience. 

If you agree that UGC is worth giving a shot but simply don’t know where to start, there’s a ton of content on our website to help with that! Or, to make it even easier – you can reach out and let us handle the whole process for you.