What Is User-Generated Content? + Examples |
What was the process that helped Meta develop a platform that generates $44 per user? How can LinkedIn achieve $8 billion in revenue by charging everybody including premium members, recruiters to employers?
Take a look at the companies that make billions of dollars in social media and you'll find that their valuations are directly tied to their users. Content created by users is the key to these huge companies. But it's also the thing powering forums online, brand community sites, Discord servers, Medium and even the comments section of a blog-if it's still an option. In addition, as a social platform, we've got the first-hand experience of the ways in which UGC creates vibrant communities, many that turn into six or 7-figure businesses. even eight-figure enterprises as well.
In this article we'll discuss:
- What user-generated content are.
- The reason it's useful (plus pros and cons).
- Examples of UGC.
- How do you unlock UGC for your brand or business.
What is user-generated content (UGC)?
User-generated content is any content that's created by users of websites, rather than its owners, whether that material is written, video images, texts, or different. Many social media platforms are based on content created by users, however also many other online spaces like websites, online forums and communities. A lot of these platforms operate using a commercial model, where the platform offers an application and users contribute the content.
Even if you're not a social media giant it is possible to use UGC to benefit yourself. As an example, many of our thrive especially thanks to content created by users, because people gather in order to create a community. learn something they are interested in, and have some great conversation.
What is HTML0? UGC builds businesses
Do you remember the application Clubhouse? It was marketed as a premium social listening app, it was valued at an astounding $4 billion by 2021. It was not open to the public (you had to be invited) and featured frequent appearances by big stars such as Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk and Kevin Hart, and it exploded.
As the ban on pandemics came to an end, Clubhouse had a tough to retain those users. Recently, they laid off a round of employees. And Clubhouse's active users have been flat for a few years now-about 10 million each week. By comparison, Pinterest has 482 million users/month.
The Threads platform is an intriguing instance. The platform reached 100 million users within 4 days! In the subsequent 220 days, it just increased to 60 million. The growth seems to have been largely stagnant, though Meta doesn't make it public anymore.
Source: Statista
160 million active users on Threads is nothing to sneeze at. However, its competitor X (Twitter) is home to more than 600 million per month users.
The viability or otherwise of these platforms, and the billion-dollar valuations, hang on two things: 1. Do people show up? 2. Are they creating material? It's not really a matter of importance.
We see that also in the membership community. We discovered that we could model with 93% accuracy whether an online community will succeed or fail. Two things matter: 1. Do people sign up? 2. Do they have a relationship with a person? It was such a powerful data that we've started developing a software system that can do more than simply provide hosting for UGC as it also is focused on helping users connect to each other.
The foundation for all this is the social in the social network. The theory of social networks suggests that social networks are actually the basis of human community. What makes Facebook one of the largest platforms with over 3 billion users? Maybe it's because Facebook is actually built on the social network that is in person. You might get mad at a stranger on Twitter and then delete the site. But if Facebook is where you talk to your mom and grandma, and also sell things in your garage chances are you'll at least have it in the meantime.
To allow UGC to create businesses, it mustn't only be a simple matter of dumping content into the void. Making endless AI posts on social media isn't the best way to grow your business.
That's the reason it is for blogs, social networks, as well as reddit-the true value of these platforms is the involvement.
UGC is engagement. Content creators. People who read content. If you do not have UGC, you don't have engagement.
Content created by users has advantages and drawbacks
User-generated content offers a variety of benefits for people who manage platforms.
Involvement: Engaging users can scale content creation much quicker and farther than can be done by an individual business or site. The social media giants make only a small amount of content. As an example, YouTube estimates that around 500 hours of content are posted every minute! It's impossible for any company to achieve this, not even using AI.
Conversations with users that are directed by the user The internet is full of bizarre and amazing things people choose to talk about online. UGC lets users create content and conversations they care about.
Diverse viewpoints: UGC gives people voices-especially those who may not normally get a say in the media. Anyone is able to contribute. Everyone can contribute their opinion.
The network effect: This phenomenon is the term used to describe how communities and platforms become more valuable each time a new member that joins them.
Improving customer experiences: For brands or companies User-generated content could be utilized to enhance the user experience, and also the customer experience. As an example, Apple's customer community includes people who answer questions in their own way.
But there can negatives associated with content created by users also:
- Misinformation and lies: Since there are no gatekeepers, UGC allows anyone to create any thing. In addition, with 55 percent of Americans say that false information is a concern which needs to be tackled, UGC can be a component of the problem.
- Bullying and intimidation: UGC created by content creators, and individuals who react (e.g. in the comments) may refer to intimidation, bullies, or even content that targets a specific category or individual.
- Moderation: Moderation for the community host and social media companies alike, moderation has become an integral component for hosting UGC.
But don't let this discourage you from allowing user-generated content. The negative impact of this can be mitigated with proper community moderation guidelines and rules. The ability to provide users with a means to assist in moderation can go far (e.g. an "report this comment" button). ).
If your customers put their the time and effort into your area, they would like it to be enjoyable. Most of them are happy to help in moderation.
The benefits of content created by users
- Scale content creation fast
- Let in different voices and points of view
- increase organic reach and conversations
- UGC could bring new users to your platform (e.g. if it gets used in a shared way), growing your community
Cons of user-generated content
- Greater risk of inaccurate or incorrect information
- Intimidation as well as bullying
- Need for moderation
User-generated content examples
A Mighty Network
A Mighty Network is a Community platform which gives hosts the ability to connect communities and change lives. Members can take part in live discussions, events, courses as well as livestreams and other events. Thriving communities always have great participation from members. (See some examples of here ).
Founded in 2010, the photo-sharing app started with the intention of letting anyone share their photos using filters. It quickly grew in popularity, and has since expanded to add more features such as Reels and boasts more than 2 billion users.
YouTube
We said above there are 30,000 hours of content added to YouTube each hour. This would mean it takes you more than 1900 years to view current video uploads. YouTube is the biggest when it comes to UGC-and with 30 % of children saying that YouTuber is their "dream job" it's made an impact in our collective imagination. Whether they can monetize and generate revenue from their views or otherwise, YouTube is a juggernaut in the field of UGC.
Blog Comments
The phenomenon isn't as popular in the present, but establishing blogs and receiving blog comments used to be the OG of content created by users. It's still a common trend on certain blogs, and especially on blog sites such as Medium. Certain news sites on the internet do this too.
Local Reviews
It's been discussed a bit about social media, however reviews for restaurant or attractions. through Google or Yelp are a huge example of UGC.
Product Reviews
Like local reviews, review product information prior to purchasing something from Amazon or another online retailer .
Forums
If you've ever spent time at all in online communities like Reddit or Quora, you'll see that there are many people who hang out in those places, making the posts that keep the websites running. Reddit is expected to boast 53 million active users by 2025.
Strategies to unlock UGC
1. Create amazing content
In the first place, UGC will most likely be derived from quality content. There are a myriad of tools out there to help to create lots of information. Technically, you could just incessantly create AI text, and then share the content.
The best content, however, stands out and starts conversations. If the content is authentic and authentic, readers are compelled to engage in discussion and even write.
2. Create niche spaces
Imagine who has control over the algorithms. Hootsuite says that the typical engagement rate for the Facebook Page post is 0.07%. What kind of UGC can thrive in a world of social media where it doesn't get seen? Are you the type of person who wants to make content which nobody can see?
There is a solution to this: create non-algorithmic spaces for people to share and create. Email. Online communities. Chat rooms. Apps. It is necessary to design spaces that don't have an algorithm to let you unlock UGC.
3. Memorable social media campaigns
Although algorithms can be unpredictable, UGC is still possible by using social media in campaigns. Choose your platform, and then create content that is engaging. There are also creative ways to engage people. Incorporating a contest or prize for contribution can help increase participation!
4. Reviews
One of the most important forms of UGC for brands is reviews, testimonials, as well as other forms of positive feedback (negative feedback is valuable too and in a unique manner.) It is important to obtain UGC from review websites if there is a product you sell, or local reviews if you're using Google is vital as more of us depend on reviews to make purchases. And if you use testimonials on your website, UGC can be really beneficial in that regard as well.
In the event of obtaining UGC feedback, make sure to inquire. A simple prompt encouraging users to write comments or reviews can make a an enormous difference in the amount of activity.
5. Contribution to Gamify
If you want and need UGC and gamification, the whole process could make a huge difference. As an example, Apple's brand support team is heavily influenced by its users, with lots of volunteers willing to assist users with their questions. They've gamified the process by introducing achievement levels as well as an individual community that is only available to the most prolific contributors. Adding in gamification or rewards can incentivize creating content.
Conclusion
At the final analysis, user-generated content is powerful. Many of the world's biggest brands have used UGC in order to boost their valuations. However, whether it's billions individuals creating content, or a dedicated community sharing what moves them, UGC taps into human creativity in a way that is awe-inspiring.
You can now read: 11 types of online communities that are thriving