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User-Generated Content: Definition, Types, and Benefits

Last updated: Aug 10, 2022

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What is User-Generated Content?

When it comes to content marketing, user-generated content is something that can be easily found today. Generally, the providers of such content are the customers and loyal followers of a particular brand.

Usually, UGC, or user-generated content, is uploaded on the customer’s social media page. This kind of content includes pictures, videos, or texts that contain product reviews. In general, this type of content utilizes hashtags or tags that work according to SEO principles.

There are several media where UGC can be found, which are social media and online channels like YouTube and TikTok. Such content will then be reuploaded by the brand with credit for the creators attached in the caption.

Online businesses have used UGC since 2005 when the social media trend started to reach the general public. Since then, the brand has seen the marketing potential of content made by users or customers and has expanded its reach to a lot of media and online channels.

Types of User-Generated Content

UGC, or user-generated content, is a content marketing strategy that should be known by marketing specialists. Today, many UGC can be found across social media. Therefore, it is important to pick which ones fit the image of your brand the best.

A lot of content generated by users in different formats can be found across the platforms. In this case, it is important to know the types of UGC uploaded on social media and online channels. Here is the list of the UGC types you need to know:

Pictures
Videos
Testimonials
Product reviews
Blog posts
YouTube content
Social media posts or tweets

The types of UGC mentioned above are created according to the medium being used. In general, customers create such content in the form of pictures or videos with captions that contain product reviews or the users’ testimonials.

The Importance of User-Generated Content

UGC is a profitable strategy in business marketing. Why is that? Content from users generally tends to be more trusted than promotional content created by the brand endorser or brand ambassador.

In general, product reviews from customers can attract a lot of potential buyers. For that reason, brands often ask their loyal followers to share their experiences using the product on social media and other online channels.

There are several benefits to show you how important UGC is for product marketing, which are as follows:

Showing Authenticity

The competition between brands on social media can force them to provide interactive and attractive content to gain new customers effectively. One of the ways to do it is to use UGC. Content made by users is considered authentic and not artificial.

Potential customers can see the product quality from the reviews and the product demonstration or appliance in the form of UGC. In doing so, new customers will be attracted to buying the products and trying them out for themselves.

Building Customers’ Loyalties

UGC is a marketing tool that plays a role in developing businesses. Its method can build the trust of the customers and give space for the community of faithful followers of the brand to grow.

Gaining Public Trust

Content made by users or customers tends to gain public trust. On the contrary, official marketing content from brands is considered less authentic and commercial. On the other hand, UGC seems more real and more objective than the usual advertisement, so it is more believable to customers.

Cut The Marketing Budget

UGC can be the right tool to reduce the budget for product marketing. Instead of using influencers to promote your products, content made by users can have the same effects on your business.

Tips on How to Apply User-Generated Content for Marketing

To apply the marketing strategy using UGC, you must remember to use several tips below:

Ask for Permission to Share the Content

One of the most important things in using UGC is to ask for consent. You must make sure to get permission from the content creator before re-uploading it on your social media or channel for marketing purposes.

Give Proper Credit to the Creator

Other than consent, you will need to give credit to the creator. To do that, you can put the name or the username of the creator on the caption or tag them on the post that is uploaded on the brand’s social media.

Set the Goals and the Marketing Strategy

To get the best result, you need to set up a strategy and set the goals for marketing using UGC. Make sure to create the procedures for the marketing activities and select the types of content that fit your brand image best.