What Is User-Generated Content? + Examples |
How did Meta develop a platform that makes $44 for each user? How can LinkedIn make $8 billion by charging everyone including premium members, recruiters to employers?
Take a look at the companies that make billions of dollars in social media and you'll find the value of their businesses is tied to their users. Content created by users is the key that powers these companies. It's also what's that powers community forums on the internet, brands communities, Discord servers, Medium and even the comments section of a blog-if there is still such something called. As a community platform, we're in the first-hand experience of the ways in which UGC makes for thriving communities-many of which become 6- or even 8-figure companies in their own right.
In this article We'll be discussing:
- What content created by users are.
- What makes it so useful (plus pros and pros and).
- Examples of UGC.
- How do you unlock UGC to promote your brand or company.
What is User-Generated Content (UGC)?
User-generated content refers to any type of content made by the users of websites, rather than its creators, whether the content is video, text, photos, or something different. Most social media platforms rely on content created by users, however also many other online sites, such as websites, online forums, as well as online communities. A lot of these platforms operate using a commercial model, in which the platform provides a software and the users create the content.
Even if you're not the big social media company it is possible to use UGC for your advantage. For example, most people are successful because of user-generated content, when people get together to form a community, master something that interests them as well as engage in great discussions.
What does it mean? UGC builds businesses
Remember the application Clubhouse? It was marketed as a premium application for social listening and valued at an astounding $4 billion by 2021. It was exclusive (you required an invitation), had frequent guest appearances from big names like Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk as well as Kevin Hart, and it exploded.
But as the pandemic restrictions came to an end, Clubhouse had a tough time retaining those users-recently laying off employees. And Clubhouse's active users have fallen for a couple of years now-about 10 million per week-by comparison, even Pinterest has 482 million users/month.
The Threads platform is an intriguing example. It reached 100 million active users within 4 days! In the subsequent 220 days, it just reached 60 million. It seems the growth has been largely stagnant, though Meta doesn't make it publicly available anymore.
Source: Statista
160 million people using Threads is nothing to sneeze at. However, its competitor X (Twitter) boasts more than 600 million per month users.
Success or failure for these platforms, as well as the billion-dollar valuations, hang on two things: 1. Do people show up? 2. Do they create material? It's not really a matter of importance.
We see that in membership communities too. We discovered that we could model with 93% accuracy whether an online community will thrive or fail. Two factors are important: 1. Do people sign up? 2. Are they friends? The data was so powerful that we've started creating a system that does more than just provide hosting for UGC and helps members meet one another.
The basis for that is social the social network. The theory of social networks suggests that social networks are actually what underlie human communities. What makes Facebook an one of the largest platforms that has more than three billion people using it? It could be because Facebook is actually built on personal, in-person social networks. There are times when you're angry at an acquaintance on Twitter and decide to delete the account. If Facebook is the place you communicate with your mom or grandma, and also sell things in your garage you'll probably at least keep it around.
To allow UGC to actually build a business, it can't just be about throwing material into the air. The endless creation of AI social media content isn't the best way to grow your business.
And that's why the blogs, social networks, and reddit-the real value of these platforms lies in the interaction.
UGC is the term used to describe engagement. People who write content. Readers of content. If you do not possess UGC and you do not have engagement.
user-generated content has benefits and disadvantages
User-generated content has lots of advantages for those who manage platforms.
The scale: Making users active can scale content creation much faster and further than could be done by an individual business or site. The social media giants make very little or no content. For instance, YouTube estimates that around 500 hours of video content are being uploaded every minute! It's impossible for any company to achieve the same amount of content, despite AI.
User-directed conversations The internet is full of weird and wonderful topics people discuss online. UGC lets users create content and conversations they care about.
Diverse viewpoints: UGC gives people voices-especially people who might not typically have a voice in media. Everyone can participate. Everyone has the ability to share their thoughts.
The network effect The phenomenon of the network effect term used to describe how communities and platforms become more valuable with each new member they gain.
Improving customer experiences: For a company or brand User-generated content could be used to improve customers' experience as well as customer service; for example Apple's community for customers includes users who respond to Q&As on their own time.
There can be some disadvantages with user-generated content too:
- Misinformation and lies: Since there are no gatekeepers, UGC implies that anyone is able to make everything. With 55 percent of Americans saying misinformation is a problem that must be tackled, UGC can be a element of the issue.
- The words intimidation and bullying UGC created by content creators, and individuals who react (e.g. through comments) can mean intimidation and bullying, or content that is targeted at a particular category or individual.
- Moderation For the community host as well as social media firms moderating has evolved into a vital element in hosting UGC.
Don't be discouraged by this from allowing user-generated content. A lot of the negative effects are mitigated by proper community moderation guidelines and rules. Offering users the option to help with moderation goes a long way too (e.g. a "report this post" button). ).
If your customers put their time and energy into a place, the majority of them would like it to be enjoyable. Most of them are happy to help with moderation.
Pros of content generated by the user
- Scale content creation fast
- Let in different voices and points of view
- increase organic reach and conversation
- UGC can bring new users onto your platform (e.g. if it gets shared) increasing the number of people who use your platform.
Cons of user-generated content
- More risk of obtaining inaccurate or incorrect information
- Bullying and intimidation
- Need for moderation
Content created by the user
It's a Mighty Network
A Mighty Network is a Community platform which gives hosts the power to bring together communities and transform lives. Members are able to participate in live discussions, events, courses as well as livestreams and other events. Communities that thrive have high members' engagement. (See the following examples ).
In 2010, the app for sharing photos was launched with the view to let users share pictures with filters. It grew quickly before expanding to offer more options like Reels and boasts more than two billion users.
YouTube
We said above there's 30,000 hours of fresh content uploaded to YouTube every hour. It would take you over 1900 years to just watch current video uploads. YouTube is a monster when it comes to UGC-and the fact that 30 percent of youngsters calling YouTuber their "dream job," YouTube has made a mark on the imagination of our culture. It doesn't matter if they're able to make money and generate revenue from their views or otherwise, YouTube is a juggernaut to UGC.
Blog Comments
This isn't as prevalent in the present, but establishing blogs and receiving blog comments used to be the OG of user-generated content. This trend on certain blogs, and especially on blogging sites like Medium. Certain news sites on the internet do this too.
Local Reviews
There's been a lot of discussion about social media but reviews for restaurants, attractions, etc. on Google or Yelp are a huge example of UGC.
Product Reviews
As with local reviews where you can read reviews about products prior to purchasing something from Amazon or another online retailer .
Forums
If you've spent any time on the social media sites like reddit and Quora, then you'll realize there are armies of people who hang out in those places, making the posts that keep the platforms running. Reddit is projected to have 53 million active users by 2025.
Tips to unlock UGC
1. Create amazing content
The first and most important thing is that UGC is likely to be derived from quality content. There are many software tools available to help you create a LOT of content. Technically, you could just create endlessly AI text, and then share it.
The best content, however, stands out and sparks conversations. If the content is authentic, it prompts readers to take action and share their thoughts, and create.
2. Create niche spaces
Think about who controls the algorithms. Hootsuite reports that the average percentage of engagement for an Facebook Page post is 0.07%. What type of UGC can thrive within a digital environment where it doesn't get seen? Who wants to create content which nobody can see?
It is best to make non-algorithmic spaces for people to collaborate and exchange ideas. Email. Online communities. Chat rooms. Apps. You need to create spaces which aren't based on algorithms to unlock UGC.
3. Memorable social media campaigns
Even though algorithms change, UGC is still possible through social media-based campaigns. Pick your preferred platform and then create content that is engaging. You can also find creative ideas to stimulate people's attention. Incorporating a contest or reward for contributions can help increase participation!
4. Reviews
One of the primary forms of UGC for brands is reviews, testimonials, as well as other positive feedback (negative feedback is valuable too however in a different method.) Getting UGC on review websites when you have a product, or even local reviews when you're using Google is essential as more and more people are influenced by reviews when making buying decisions. And if you use testimonials on your site, UGC can be really valuable here too.
In the event of obtaining UGC feedback, don't forget to ask. Simple prompts to encourage users to write reviews or rating can make a huge difference to the level of activities.
5. Gamify donation
If you're in the market for UGC gaming, then gamifying the entire process can make a difference. Like Apple's support team is heavily influenced by its users which includes a large number of volunteer that are available to help with questions. The process has been gamified through achievement points and an exclusive community for best contributors. By incorporating rewards and gamification, you will encourage content creation.
Conclusion
In the final analysis, user-generated content is powerful. The major brands in the world have utilized UGC in order to boost their valuations. It doesn't matter if it's billions people creating content or a community that shares the things that inspire them, UGC taps into human creativeness in a way that is awe-inspiring.
Then Read: 11 kinds of communities online that thrive