UGC: What is User Generated Content?
Translated from English, User Generated Content (UGC) refers to content created by users themselves rather than by a brand or company, and shared on social media. UGC includes not only images and videos but also reviews and testimonials, such as a customer video review or an unboxing video.
In recent years, a strong shift away from perfectionism has been observed on social networks. Users no longer want traditional ads where a model presents a product and it is immediately obvious that it’s advertising. They want entertainment. UGC is organic content that blends seamlessly into the social media feed and is therefore not perceived as a disruptive interruption.
User Generated Content fosters closer relationships with customers and increases a company’s social proof. Customers act as brand ambassadors. Since UGC comes from real users who are genuinely enthusiastic and convinced by their experiences, other users interpret this content as authentic and genuine. People are social creatures, which is why they trust and follow other people. For this reason, UGC can be seen as a modern form of word-of-mouth recommendation. This type of content strengthens brand identification and builds trust.
How to Increase UGC Production:
- Engagement campaigns such as giveaways
- Contests and hashtag challenges
- Instagrammable design, like special photo spots or aesthetically appealing packaging for your products
