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Did you know consumers trust user-generated content (UGC) 50% more than traditional media and consider it 20% more influential when deciding what to buy?
If you’re still relying on polished, corporate-style ads that feel out of touch, you’re leaving serious opportunities on the table.
While you’re stuck looking “perfect,” your competitors are winning with real, relatable content that grabs attention, builds trust, and drives sales.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
- What UGC ads are and why they work better than traditional ads
- The biggest benefits of using UGC to grow your business
- The key elements that make UGC ads perform
- Examples of brands crushing it with UGC ads
P.S. Struggling with high CPAs, stale creatives, and ads that just don’t convert anymore? You’re not alone. That’s exactly why brands partner with inBeat Agency. We blend paid media with performance-driven UGC and micro-influencer strategies that actually move the needle. Book a free strategy call now!
TL;DR:
UGC (User-Generated Content) ads are authentic ads created by real users, not brands, using content like reviews, unboxings, or testimonials.
Consumers trust UGC 50% more than traditional ads, making it more influential in buying decisions.
Key benefits of UGC ads include:
- Higher engagement (50%+ lift vs. brand-created content)
- Lower ad fatigue and 4x higher CTR
- Reduced cost-per-click and acquisition
- Stronger social proof and trust
- Up to 29% increase in conversion rates
High-performing UGC ads share common traits: relatable storytelling, native feel, platform fit, clear CTAs, and emotional resonance.
Top real-world examples include:
- Booksy: 1,700%+ rise in business registrations, 92% lower CPA
- Paintbox Nails: Shoppable UGC increased conversions via tagged posts
- NielsenIQ: UGC in 15+ languages cut CPAs and scaled globally
- National Geographic: Creator photography builds engagement
- Yubo: 35% rise in sign-ups with local creator UGC
- GoPro: Customer footage fuels viral campaigns
Genomelink: 77% CAC reduction, 124% rise in completions
inBeat Agency specializes in blending UGC with paid media to reduce acquisition costs and boost results.
Conclusion: UGC is cost-effective, scalable, and better at building trust, making it a key strategy for modern brands.
What Are UGC Ads?
UGC (user-generated content) ads are basically marketing gold made by your own customers and fans. Instead of polished, corporate-looking promos, these ads use authentic content like customer reviews, unboxing videos, or real-life snaps from social media users. Their content is created by actual people, not brands, giving it that relatable, personal vibe that feels way more genuine.
Unlike traditional advertising, UGC ads tap into social proof, building trust with potential customers by showing real experiences.
Whether it's user-generated photos, quick TikTok clips, or heartwarming testimonials, this type of content increases user engagement and grabs audience attention.
Benefits of Using UGC Ads
Curious what makes UGC ads so effective? Here are some of the biggest reasons brands are swapping traditional ads for content made by their own customers.
1. Authenticity
People crave realness, and UGC feels real and trustworthy. A huge 84% of consumers say they trust peer recommendations over traditional ads. This makes user-generated content a top pick for brands wanting to build trust. When potential buyers see content from folks “just like them,” it feels genuine, not scripted.
2. Higher Engagement
Users relate more to content from “people like them.” Want more likes, shares, and comments? UGC delivers a 50% lift in engagement on social media platforms compared to brand-created content. That’s because it speaks their language: you see real people with real stories.
3. Lower Ad Fatigue
People get tired of seeing the same shiny, overly-produced ads again and again. That’s where user-generated content shines. UGC feels natural and blends right into social media posts, making it way less “salesy” and way more watchable.
In fact, UGC ads pull in 4x higher click-through rates and cut cost-per-click by 50% compared to traditional ads. Easy win for your advertising campaigns.
4. Cost-Effective
UGC ads are cheaper to produce than studio ads. Studio shoots? Yeah, they’re pricey.
On the other hand, UGC is a smart, low-cost alternative that still delivers big results. For example, brands using UGC have seen up to a 20% increase in return website visitors and a 90% increase in user session engagement. That’s more people coming back and sticking around.
Most of our clients see much lower cost-per-acquisition (CPA) and significantly higher ROI with UGC ads compared to traditional campaigns. The real power comes from reinvesting those savings into A/B testing and optimizing top-performing content. This continuous loop of testing and refining drives CPAs even lower and ROI even higher.
Not only does UGC save you cash on content creation, but it also saves time and feels more authentic to your target audience.
5. Boosts Social Proof
About 70% of shoppers check UGC reviews or ratings before buying, and 41% read four to seven reviews to really understand the product. It’s basically the digital version of word-of-mouth. Seeing real people rave about a product builds trust way faster than any polished brand slogan ever could.
6. Improves Conversion Rates
If conversions are the goal, user-generated content should be your go-to, especially for eCommerce and app downloads. Campaigns using UGC have been shown to increase conversion rates by 29%, thanks to the trust and authenticity that real customer content brings.
P.S. Having trouble finding creators who can deliver real, engaging UGC that actually drives results? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why we’ve put together this list of the top UGC agencies, so you can partner with pros who know how to create content that converts.
Key Elements of High-Performing UGC Ads
Not all UGC ads are created equal. The best ones feel personal, relatable, and blend right into your audience’s feed without screaming “ad.” But they still need a few key ingredients to really hit the mark.
Here’s what makes a UGC ad stand out and actually drive results:
- Relatable storytelling: User shares a clear “before and after” or real-life benefit.
- Natural presentation: Shot on phones, casual tone that feels more like a friend’s post than an ad.
- Platform fit: Matches the native style of the channel, think TikTok trends, Instagram Reels, or viral audio.
- Clear CTA: Even chill UGC needs a subtle nudge, like “swipe up” or “link in bio,” to guide viewers.
- Emotional pull or humor: Whether it’s heartwarming or funny, human connection keeps people watching.
- High-quality sound/lighting (but not overproduced): Feels authentic but still easy to watch and hear, no over-the-top editing needed.
7 Real-World UGC Ads Examples That Crushed It
So now you know why UGC ads work and what makes them stand out. But let’s move from theory to reality. Here are some real-world UGC ad examples that delivered big results.
1. Booksy
For one of our clients, Booksy, we built a TikTok-first UGC ad strategy aimed at barbers, nail techs, and beauty pros. The goal? Cut through the noise, drive app installs, and increase business registrations, all while speaking to real pain points like no-shows and double bookings.
Instead of polished ads, our team at inBeat used authentic creator videos that felt native to TikTok, with real professionals showing how Booksy helps streamline their day-to-day. This relatable, community-driven content delivered big:
- 1,700%+ increase in business registrations within just 3 months
- 637% month-over-month (MoM) jump in app installs
- 92% drop in cost per business registration (MoM)
- $22 cost per registration on TikTok vs. $136 on Meta
Leveraging influencer whitelisting and a UGC-first creative strategy is how we positioned Booksy as the go-to tool for beauty professionals. The campaign not only smashed performance goals but also built long-term trust with their target audience.
2. Paintbox Nails
Paintbox Nails smartly used Instagram's Shopping feature to increase sales with shoppable UGC. They allowed creators to tag Paintbox products in their posts, so anyone interested could simply tap the tag and buy right away. This made the buying process super easy and quick, which naturally increased conversions by cutting out extra steps.
These creator posts also helped Paintbox reach fresh audiences. Because the recommendations came from trusted influencers, followers were more likely to check out the brand and feel confident buying the same products. Authentic content meets effortless shopping, simple and effective.
3. NielsenIQ
NielsenIQ partnered with inBeat Agency to tackle a massive challenge: recruiting panelists across more than 19 countries, including Europe, North America, LATAM, and Southeast Asia, while keeping CPAs low and scaling volume. On top of that, they needed high-performing, multilingual content that would resonate in each market.
For this, our team built a scalable, UGC-driven acquisition strategy.
We onboarded 100+ international UGC creators, influencers, and actors to produce content in 15+ different languages and accents. With smart use of voiceover actors and video mashups, we turned single pieces of content into multiple international variations, maximizing efficiency and reach.
Here’s how we delivered results at scale:
- 100 unique creators produce content each month
- Activated through 5+ digital acquisition channels
- Managed a $20M+ paid media budget (7 figures)
4. National Geographic Travel
National Geographic Travel taps into the power of user-generated content to keep its Instagram feed packed with jaw-dropping travel photos. They regularly feature images submitted by photographers from around the world, tagging and crediting them in the captions.
For these creators, it’s a chance to get their work showcased in front of 46 million+ followers, giving them serious exposure.
These posts aren’t just pretty pictures; photographers also share a short caption telling the story behind the shot. Whether it’s a bit of history, a personal travel experience, or what it took to capture that perfect moment, these stories add depth, inspire wanderlust, and shine a spotlight on global destinations through authentic, community-driven content.
5. Yubo
For our client Yubo, a social networking app, our team rolled out a hybrid organic-acquisition strategy powered by performance-based UGC. The mission was clear: use real, authentic content from local creators to drive organic sign-ups at scale, and do it across multiple continents.
We partnered with 50+ local content creators, producing casual, real-feel UGC videos that resonated with Yubo’s target audience. These weren’t flashy ads; they were fun, relatable clips that blended right into social feeds, helping Yubo reach both European and North American markets.
The results speak for themselves:
- 25% reduction in month-over-month cost per sign-up
- 35% increase in monthly sign-ups
Amplifying this authentic user-generated content and keeping the focus on community-driven engagement is how we helped Yubo scale efficiently while keeping acquisition costs low.
6. GoPro
GoPro has nailed the art of UGC by turning its own customers into its biggest marketers. Every time someone straps on a GoPro and captures an epic adventure, from surfing massive waves to skydiving, that’s user-generated content in action.
GoPro actively encourages users to share these moments through branded hashtags like #GoProHERO, #GoProFamily, and #GoProAwards.
The best part? GoPro doesn’t just repost these clips on their social media channels. They turn the most stunning user footage into high-impact video ad campaigns, website features, and even global commercials. This keeps their content authentic, exciting, and always fresh.
7. Genomelink
Genomelink was facing a common challenge, rising CPAs driven by creative fatigue and outdated image/carousel ads. With leadership pushing for tighter CAC targets and platforms like TikTok demanding fresh content constantly, the situation called for a smarter, high-volume creative strategy.
That’s when Genomelink partnered with inBeat Agency to level up their approach. Together, we built an omnichannel acquisition strategy focused on performance-based UGC, statics, b-rolls, and mashups, all designed to keep content fresh and hit aggressive CAC/ROAS goals.
Here’s how we made it happen:
- Produced 70 unique creative assets each month
- Used 6 different creative formats (UGC, statics, mashups, etc.)
- Activated campaigns across 5 paid media channels
The results were game-changing:
- 77% reduction in CAC over 3 years
- 124% increase in registration completion
- 27% drop in cost per registration.
Create High-Converting UGC Ads with inBeat
UGC ads aren’t just a trend; they’re a proven way to build trust, increase engagement, and drive real results. If you’re ready to ditch outdated ad strategies and tap into content that actually resonates with your audience, it’s time to leverage user-generated content as a core part of your marketing playbook.
Key Takeaways
- UGC ads feel more authentic and trustworthy than traditional branded content.
- Real customer stories and experiences drive stronger engagement on social platforms.
- UGC helps reduce ad fatigue by blending naturally into users’ feeds.
- Using UGC is a cost-effective way to scale high-performing ad creatives.
- UGC builds powerful social proof that influences purchase decisions.
- Consistent content testing helps lower CPAs and improve ROI over time.
- Successful brands amplify UGC across multiple channels for maximum impact.
If you’re looking to scale your brand with high-performing UGC campaigns, inBeat Agency is your go-to partner. We specialize in creating and amplifying authentic, creator-driven UGC that lowers acquisition costs and drives meaningful growth.
Book a free strategy call now and let’s build UGC ads that actually convert!
FAQ’s
What are UGC ads?
UGC ads are paid ads that feature content created by real customers, influencers, or content creators. Instead of polished brand shoots, these ads use relatable videos, testimonials, or product demos that feel natural on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook. They’re designed to blend in with organic content while boosting trust and conversions.
What is an example of consumer-generated marketing?
A great example of consumer-generated marketing is when a brand encourages customers to share photos or videos using their product, then reposts that content on their own social media or ads. For instance, Starbucks’ #RedCupContest invited customers to share creative photos of their holiday cups, turning fans into marketers.
Do UGC creators make money?
Yes, UGC creators definitely make money. Brands pay them to create authentic product photos, videos, or reviews for marketing purposes. Depending on the creator’s experience, quality of work, and niche, payments can range from small projects to full-time gigs. Some also earn through affiliate links or paid partnerships.
What are UGC examples?
A perfect example is Apple’s #ShotOniPhone campaign, where iPhone users shared their best photos and Apple featured them in ads and billboards worldwide. Another is Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign, where people posted photos with personalized Coke bottles, turning everyday customers into brand ambassadors.