Have you ever felt that you have made the purchase decision after watching UGC ads that don’t feel like you are watching advertising videos? The reason is that UGC conveys authenticity by the real users of products and services that build trust and transparency between customers and brands.
Today, 92% of marketers believe that UGC has increased the brand awareness of their products. UGC ads provide a more intimate connection to customers than traditional advertising by depicting real people's genuine life stories and testimonials.
The rise of UGC is shaping the digital environment, led by a shift in user behavior. Consumers are now more likely to seek the inspiration of real people rather than brands when looking for products to include in their lives.
Now, let's consider a London-based makeup company, Iconic London, which provides a variety of the following tools and products: highlighters, color palettes, lipsticks, and makeup brushes. The brand has a solid fan base on Instagram and YouTube and constantly publishes customer-based UGC. Utilizes the everlasting format of a ''how-to'' video to guide viewers on how to do full face makeup using only a single brand's products. This approach is beneficial for beginners to makeup who have never used it before but do not want to purchase products from multiple brands. As a result, the UGC significantly boosted product awareness.
Excited to launch your next marketing campaign with the best UGC ads? Using UGC in ads on popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok can incredibly benefit your brand.
Continue reading to learn how and why the inclusion of UGC ads can enhance your audience interaction and strengthen your audience's trust!
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What are UGC Ads?
UGC Ads (User-Generated Content Ads) refer to advertisements that depend on contributions from customers or users. Such content can include photos, videos, reviews, or testimonials showcasing a product or service. UGC Ads tend to be more effective because they are regarded by many consumers as authentic and relatable. Such advertisements are mostly found on various social media platforms and they usually come from users sharing their experiences with a product, which contributes to trust, credibility, and engagement with a brand by its audience.
A significant percentage of customers, about 65 percent , have acquired clothing or fashion-related products as a consequence of UGC's actual customers. UGC compensates for the deficiency of authenticity, thereby enhancing the customer's trust and decision to buy. With a focus on authenticity, 87% of businesses are now integrating UGC into their video marketing campaigns.
Benefit of UGC Video Ads in Social Media Platforms
UGC Ads Foster Authentic Brand Trust:
UGC ads on Facebook and Instagram create authentic brand trust by revealing real customer experiences; they create credibility and connection. Such testimonials have a knack for touching the hearts of the audiences which can build trust and engagement.
Meta's in-house research indicates that UGC contributed to nearly a 9% rise in CTA clicks, with shoppers more likely to click, "Buy now" or "See on the website," when items featured UGC on product pages in Shops.
You might be wondering, "Why are UGC ads so effective?" The answer is straightforward: it fosters credibility and conveys genuine tales. While online shopping often relies on visual, curated displays, UGC, on the other hand, is a demonstration of real individuals using and enjoying your products. It also brings you the opportunity to change your product visuals without the expense of a fresh photoshoot, retaining control over the appearance of your shop by selecting UGC that matches your brand's aesthetic.
Elevating Brand Awareness with UGC Ads:
UGC video ads bring brand awareness to social media by featuring real people and creating authentic experiences. This approach fosters trust and connection, spurring engagement, sharing, and thereby expanding brand reach. Ultimately, by leveraging digital word-of-mouth, UGC videos significantly increase brand visibility.
Maximize Engagement With UGC Video:
In a study by the Real Eyes video testing platform, it was discovered that UGC videos on TikTok test 22% better than those made by the brands. The videos created by users attracted and maintained viewers' attention longer than brand videos.
UGC videos connect powerfully with viewers as they have an organic and human feel. Non-user-generated content is often more manufactured and sometimes more polished but it can lead to consumers feeling like they cannot relate. The authenticity that they value is evident in the raw nature of user-generated content, which helps to build trust in the process with the brand. Because UGC is the most natural and uncut form of video marketers are more likely to receive consumer attention through this type of content and interaction will be higher.
UGC Ads Drive Sales:
UGC ads utilize testimonials of real customers to create a bond with potential customers and gather their trust and authority. Common identification with content significantly contributes to respondents' buying choices which stimulates the performance and sales of the businesses.
Step-by-Step Guide to Incorporating UGC Style Ads in Social Media Marketing Campaigns
Identify Relevant UGC:
First, identify authentic user-generated content (UGC) pertinent to your brand's messaging and market goals. Seek out customer, influencer, or brand advocate content that is already being circulated via their social media. Content that appeals to the target demographic and seems authentic is the best choice. To source UGC you may want to choose from the options below:
- Hashtags: Develop a branded hashtag and promote it, encouraging users to share content using that.
- Social Media Mentions: Keep track of your brand mentions on social media.
- Customer Reviews & Testimonials: Gather user-generated content from customer reviews and feedback.
Tailor UGC to Fit the Platform:
Each social media platform has a specific audience and format style that requires different approaches. In a nutshell, to maximize the influence of your UGC, make sure to modify the content so that it fits each platform:
Facebook Ads:
Facebook is currently the third leading website in terms of visits, only preceded by Google and YouTube while outranking such platforms as Twitter. To attract the attention of such a colossal audience, it is advisable to create high-quality UGC visuals or videos with story-based captions. Being personal and relatable expresses a message that resonates with the users, UGC promotes a better connection for them and boosts engagement.
Instagram Ads:
According to recent reports, Instagram has 2 billion monthly active users which makes it more advantageous to brands. Instagram is a very visual platform which makes it important to choose UGC ad campaigns that reflect your brand aesthetics. Try carousel ads or Stories for showing several UGC posts and use user-generated videos like unboxing or reviews to create impactful Instagram ads.
TikTok Ads:
With more than 1.5 billion monthly active users, TikTok has become the fifth most popular social media platform, especially for the Gen Z group. Producing fun and spontaneous UGC TikTok is known for its organic and down-to-earth content. Leverage this by incorporating UGC in TikTok's In-Feed ads or creating TikTok Challenges to inspire users to generate content for your brand.
Incorporate UGC into Ad Formats:
Once you have selected the suitable UGC for different platforms, you should integrate it into your advertisement formats. Below are some possibilities:
- Image Ads: Employ photos that grab your product in a real-life scenario through the UGC method.
- Video Ads: Apply UGC videos such as customer review videos, tutorials, or product unboxing videos. These types of content appear more engaging and have high possibilities of conversions.
- Stories Ads: Instagram and Facebook Stories are ideal platforms for user-generated content. They enable you to present user material in a full-screen, exciting format and make these ads seem more informal and unlike typical marketing.
Examples of UGC Ads That Took Social Media by Storm
The following are formidable examples of UGC ads that captivated multitudes on social media:
Netflix: Stranger Things Season 2 Marketing: One of the best UGC ad examples is Stranger Things. The marketing campaign for Stranger Things season 2 by Netflix was notably successful because it creatively used User Generated Content (UGC). Fans were able to create and post their designs, artwork, and personal memories from the show, generating viral buzz and building excitement for the release.
Spotify: #FindYourFeels Campaign: Among other UGC video ads examples - Spotify’s #FindYourFeels campaign is an excellent example of User Generated Content (UGC) in digital media marketing. The overall strategy behind the campaign was to encourage the audience to depict how music affects their concerns and life stories, thereby creating real-life situations that mirror the experiences of Spotify’s many users and at the same time improve the company’s close relationship with its listeners.

Airbnb: “Live There” Campaign: Airbnb's "Live There" campaign use of UGC changed the way of travel. A campaign that encourages individuals to present their stories in different destinations highlights the special housing and traditional practices at each destination so travelers who want to experience real life can be attracted.

Create High-Performing UGC Ads to Boost Engagement and Sales
Choosing the most appropriate UGC ad agency is vital for enhancing interaction and generating revenue via realistic and concise content. The perfect agency will appreciate the user-generated content creation of UGC ads and provide the content to your target audience easily.
Collaborate with a Global UGC agency that has 8+ years of UGC ad creation, ensuring the user-generated content resonates with your target audience. The agency expresses that its UGC video ads and images are effective in the representation of your brand identity while ensuring that trust and emotional links are put together.
The Global UGC Agency has all the necessary facilities to generate UGC ads through Artificial Intelligence (AI) that have a high possibility to achieve engagement and conversion rates. By amalgamating technological advancements with the facts-driven insights from real customers, they ensure to craft ads that genuinely appeal to your target audience.
Conclusion:
UGC is one of the most effective forms of advertisement that can boost the performance of your advertising channels while also creating real connections between your brand and audience. By presenting actual customer interactions, UGC ad campaigns enhance trust, arouse interest, and in the end, lead to an increase in conversions. The blend of UGC ads on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, can enhance social media reach and brand awareness.
Let's take your brand to a higher level with the best UGC ads; Connect globalugcagency.com for authentic and engaging UGC results and strengthen the relationship with your audience!