User-Generated Content isn’t something new, even if it might seem like it. It’s not even exclusive to the internet.

Check out this letter a reader sent to a newspaper back in 1863. Even back then, newspapers and magazines understood that content created by their own readers added value to their publications. In other words, it helped them sell more.

In the 20th century, brands like Betty Crocker launched contests encouraging their customers to send in their best recipes. In addition to fostering a sense of belonging within the brand’s community, Betty Crocker sold cookbooks featuring the top recipes from their fans.

If that’s not true user-generated content, then what is?

You might be looking for digital UGC examples that are more applicable to your strategy, so here are our 5 favorite picks at Alteraction.

5 Best UGC Examples

⓵ Slack and its #SlackHack

Why do we love it?

Because UGC is often easily associated with the consumer goods sector, but not so much with software. Sometimes, these companies forget that potential customers need to see how current users are actually using their products in everyday life.

Demos are great, but they require effort. You have to enter your details, download the demo if needed, and spend a few hours figuring out if it’s right for you. On the other hand, it’s much easier and faster to watch videos of people exploring Slack and discovering tips and tricks on the platform.

(We’re not saying demos aren’t useful—far from it. A demo can be a powerful lead magnet and a great way to attract potential customers, while UGC becomes part of your content strategy.)

If you think your industry, product, or service is too complex for UGC, chances are you actually have the PERFECT scenario to create impactful UGC.

@melissagaglionesales #slackhack reminders! Im on slack all the time as an #accountexecutive so im teying to get better at all the hacks to help my productivity#salestips #salestoks #remotework #remotesales #slack #slacktok #slacktips ♬ original sound - Melissa Gaglione
@pampers How we’re walking into the weekend #TGIF ♬ original sound - Pampers

⓶ Pampers leveraging viral content

Why do we love it?

Because user-generated content doesn’t always have to be directed by the brand. If you come across viral content that naturally connects with your brand, your audience will reward you with views, likes, and comments. And you already know the algorithm loves all that.

In this case, Pampers—a brand focused on baby care products—came across viral content created precisely by their target audience. Plain as day: they reached out to the content creator and asked for permission to use it on their own social media channels.

⓷ GoPro and the Magic of Reaching the Unreachable

Why do we love it?

Because every brand would love to have their users sending them content like that. Day after day, receiving videos of this quality to share on social media and target different audiences: surfers, snowboarders, diving enthusiasts, or those who do a bit of everything…

In this case, GoPro has it easy. If you use Slack, it’s not exactly easy to record yourself one day showing how much you use the platform. On the other hand, GoPro is pure adrenaline and adventure, offering a 100% Instagrammable experience.

If your brand’s users are sending you content and you’re still not using it to promote and reach more people… what are you waiting for?

@gopro @Nico Vuignier + Anthony Vuignier making us drool #gopro #goprosnow #snow #ski #powder #powderday #skiing #skitok #winter #skiseason ♬ original sound - GoPro

⓸ Ikea and UGC on the Web

Why do we love it?

Because it perfectly illustrates that UGC exists beyond social media.

Remember that one of the key characteristics of user-generated content is its credibility: photos, videos, or text created by people who don’t work for the brand.

Ikea uses UGC on its product pages for two main reasons:

  1. It shows real-life scenarios for their products. It’s often hard to imagine how a product we see in staged photos will look in our own home, but thanks to customer photos, we get a much more accurate idea.
  2. It boosts the social proof trigger. It’s easier to buy something when we see that others have bought it and are happy with it. Ikea shows product ratings with stars, customer reviews, and photos from real users on Instagram. The whole UGC package for social proof.

⓹ TEMU and Its 100% UGC Nature

Why do we love it?

Because all of TEMU’s content is UGC.

It makes sense because it’s not a brand that sells products requiring expert-driven content to build trust with potential customers. It’s enough to create good videos in real-life settings that showcase the products from the online store.

Take a look at how they handle UGC on their Spain profile versus their global profile. Can you spot the differences?

On the Spain profile, the videos don’t include on-screen text. There’s no audio either, except to highlight moments when the person interacts with the products. Additionally, they try to show the person as little as possible, always giving visual priority to the product.

On the other hand, the global profile includes music, on-screen text, features the creators more prominently, and in some videos, they even add voiceovers.

You know what we mean by this: there isn’t just one way to work with UGC—not even within the same brand or for the same products. It all depends on your strategy.

Some examples of UGC from Alteraction

If you haven’t figured it out from the article already, Alteraction is an agency 100% specialized in UGC. We don’t do anything else—UGC is what we do.

Before we show you examples of our work for different brands, you’ll find a contact form at the end of the article. Fill it out if you’re a brand or a marketing/advertising/PR agency and want us to help with your UGC strategy.