Ever bought a serum because an influencer swore it changed their skin? Yeah, we’re guilty of it too. That’s the magic of UGC. It’s not just people raving about products—it’s a powerful inbound marketing tool that builds trust and visibility for brands.

UGC used to live in the “promotion” bucket, but now? Brands post it on their own feeds. You don’t need 100K followers to create content—just a camera, some creativity, and maybe a platform like HomeFromCollege to connect with brands. 

It’s not just influencers doing #sponcon for a paycheck. Real UGC is authentic, educational, and subtle. Sometimes it’s as simple as reposting a customer review. The goal? Make your brand feel relatable—and irresistible.

 

Types of UGC (Because It’s Not All Glam Filters)

We all know the type of content that will inevitably land on your FYP if you follow #BeautyTikTok – the typical 30-second reel of someone glowing in natural lighting while applying a face mask. That may be what we all think of yet, the reality is that UGC comes in many forms:

  • Unboxing Videos – Think PR packages unwrapped with love. It’s not just hype, it’s public relations done right—building organic buzz.
  • Reviews – The real ones resonate, and good brands listen. 
  • Tutorials & Tips – People love a “how-to.” Especially when it doesn’t scream “ad.”
  • Before & Afters – Because transformation sells—and validates your product.

That’s why we’ve put together a helpful blog post on social media marketing to help you stay ahead and make the most of your strategy.

 

Brands That Are Crushing the UGC Game

Curology – Scroll their IG. Happy faces. Glowy skin. Real transformations. A+ use of before-and-after content.

BMW – They let their cars speak for themselves. The #BMWrepost hashtag invites fans to show off their rides. No ad spend needed, just good branding.

Fenty Beauty – The moment. Their #FentyFace hashtag created a movement—users showing off inclusive shades and bold looks. Rihanna understood the UGC assignment.

Starbucks – They barely have to try. People just naturally share their Starbucks runs. That’s what branding on autopilot looks like.

Spotify – Wrapped. Say less. Once a year, the internet becomes a Spotify ad and no one minds one bit.

Why Your Brand Needs UGC

Let’s get real—authenticity wins.

  •  84% of consumers trust peer recommendations over traditional ads
  •  UGC-based ads get 4x higher click-through rates
  •  Cost-per-click drops by 50% when UGC is involved
  •  Social campaigns see a 50% engagement life
  •  Almost 48% of consumers discover new products via UGC

In short? UGC is modern word-of-mouth. And when your branding is tight from the start, UGC becomes your living, breathing portfolio.

Moxie Pro Tip: Want better UGC? Build a brand people want to talk about. Show up authentically. And make it easy for your audience to participate. Need help defining your brand’s purpose? Read our blog to learn the power of purpose.