What Even is UGC and Why Is It Every Where?

If you have ever spent five minutes scrolling on TikTok or Instagram lately, chances are you have seen something called UGC.

So what does UGC stand for?

UGC is an abbreviation for User Generated Content, it basically demonstrates content that's created by every day people like you and me instead of well known brands. For example, people create content in the form of unboxing videos, reviews, GRWM/GURWM (get ready with me/get unready with me) types of videos, product demos and brand mentions like tagging the brand on your Instagram stories.

At first I thought that UGC was a new concept, but it's actually not. UGC has always been with us but in different formats. Do you remember the beauty guru community that would blow up on youtube with their reviews? I grew up watching these kinds of content when I was younger. That is actually a form of UGC. Meaning, I was exposed to UGC at an early age and that too through beauty review videos on Youtube. I am actually amazed.

Now UGC is making a huge wave and it is perceived differently. UGC feels more connective, real and raw and not filtered and fake. It shows a normal person using a product from a brand that they love and they review and post it to their social media handles.

The Platforms I have seen UGC as a huge community.

Everytime when I go on my social media platforms, which is usually TikTok and Instagram, and now Lemon8, I see a community of people that are UGC creators. The platforms I have mentioned are all super visual, scroll-heavy, and are driven by quick, relatable content. TikTok especially has made UGC go viral in seconds. For example, creators post a 15 second video using a skin care product, and the next day it's sold out everywhere.

When I open my Instagram, UGC appears more differently compared to TikTok. Instagram shows UGC videos in the form of stories, reels, and collaborations. I have noticed creators labelling their UGC content like their reels with a "not sponsered" or "sponsered" label, even if the products they are promoting are perfectly placed. In my opinion. it is a smart and subtle strategy to use, which leads to brands demanding these types of content from people.

Lemon8 is a new platform that has been launched recently. If I could describe what Lemon8 is like, imagine if Pinterest and Instagram had a baby who has a soft and aesthetic vibe about them. Lemon8 shows lifestyle content, product hauls, skin care reviews and wellness product recommendations in a magazine like format. The UGC community uses this platform intentionally, but also uses it natrually and organically, not bot like.

Why is UGC the next big thing and why do Marketers rely on it?

There is one answer and one answer only to this question and that is - people trust people. UGC gives the vibe of someone promoting a product in public and recommending it to you. You know when you go to the mall and you see a person with a stall saying "Try ABCD product and the reasons why people love it so much". The recommedations the UGC community feel free flowing and not scripted. It's as if a family member or a friend is recommending you these products. It's not forced in your face. In terms of affiliate marketers and bloggers, UGC gives them an opportunity to create and promote products that aren't based of a script, just through regular human emotions.

UGC doesn't mean its made for big influencers and content creators. Anyone can do it, as long as it is meaningful and real like how you use this product, the benefits and if this product is worth getting. You just need the right strategy to use when promoting in the UGC community.

If you are looking for an opportunity to grow your brand, earn affiliate income or build credibility, think about UGC as a profession. It is a real job. If you don't know how to start of your UGC journey, there are video resources on youtube, tiktok, instagram.

My suggestion: Search day in the life of a UGC creator on any of these platforms and watch how they promote their products with emotion and not robotic