100 UGC Statistics You Can’t Ignore

User-generated content (UGC) continues to be one of the most powerful tools in a brand’s marketing arsenal. In 2025, the significance of UGC in building trust, driving engagement, and boosting conversions is more evident than ever. As someone deeply involved in the digital marketing world, I’ve seen firsthand how UGC can transform a brand’s relationship with its audience. Let’s dive into 100 compelling statistics that highlight just how critical UGC has become for brands in the coming year.

UGC and Consumer Trust

In today’s market, trust is currency, and UGC is the vault where it’s stored. Consumers are increasingly relying on the experiences and opinions of others before making purchasing decisions. Here’s why:

• 92% of consumers trust recommendations from individuals over brands. (Nielsen)
• 84% of millennials say that user-generated content influences their purchase decisions. (Bazaarvoice)
• 79% of people say user-generated content highly impacts their purchasing decisions. (Stackla)
• 70% of consumers trust online peer reviews and recommendations more than professionally written content. (Forbes)
• 76% of people say they trust content shared by “average” people more than by brands. (Adweek)
• UGC increases brand trust by 28% more than professional content. (Cohn & Wolfe)
• 53% of consumers say UGC helps them make purchase decisions faster. (TurnTo)
• 56% of consumers are more likely to buy from a brand they feel connected to, and UGC fosters that connection. (Edelman Trust Barometer)

Key Insight: Trust is built through shared experiences. When consumers see others like themselves enjoying a product, they are more likely to trust that brand. UGC is not just a tool—it’s a bridge between brand and consumer, fostering authentic connections.

Suggested Image: A visual comparison between polished branded content and authentic user-generated content, highlighting how UGC leads to higher trust.

For more insights on how to effectively incorporate UGC into your marketing strategy, explore our detailed guide on creating UGC videos.

UGC and Engagement

Engagement is the lifeblood of social media, and UGC has proven to be a key driver in getting consumers to interact with your content. Consider these statistics:

• UGC posts receive 4x higher click-through rates (CTR) compared to traditional ads. (Comscore)
• Brands see a 20% increase in engagement when they share UGC. (HubSpot)
• People engage with UGC 2x more than they do with traditional brand content. (Social Media Today)
• Social campaigns that incorporate UGC have a 50% higher engagement rate. (Salesforce)
• UGC on social media generates 6.9x more engagement than brand-generated content. (Crowdtap)
• Instagram posts with UGC have a 4.5% higher engagement rate than those without. (Socialbakers)
• Customer photos on Instagram receive 28% more engagement than branded photos. (Sprout Social)
• UGC videos are viewed 10x more than branded content on YouTube. (Hootsuite)

Key Insight: UGC invites interaction. By sharing content created by your customers, you’re not just promoting your brand—you’re opening a dialogue with your audience, encouraging them to engage and participate.

Suggested Image: A graphic showing the difference in engagement rates between UGC and branded content, possibly using bar graphs to illustrate the 4x higher CTR or the 6.9x more engagement stat.

For best practices on how to maximize engagement with UGC, check out our article on UGC best practices.

UGC and Social Proof

Social proof is a powerful psychological phenomenon where people assume the actions of others reflect the correct behavior. In marketing, UGC serves as an undeniable form of social proof:

• 84% of consumers trust peer reviews and recommendations more than branded content. (BrightLocal)
• UGC creates a 20% lift in brand engagement when displayed on e-commerce websites. (Bazaarvoice)
• 73% of consumers are more likely to purchase after watching a UGC video. (Tubular Insights)
• UGC increases conversion rates by 4.5% when incorporated into landing pages. (OptinMonster)
• Ads featuring UGC generate 5x higher click-through rates than traditional ads. (Social Media Today)
• Websites with UGC see a 90% increase in the time users spend on the site. (Yotpo)
• Social media posts with UGC see 29% more conversions than those without. (Stackla)
• Product pages that feature UGC increase conversions by 10%. (Yotpo)

Key Insight: Social proof builds confidence. When potential buyers see others endorsing a product through UGC, they’re more likely to follow suit, trusting the collective wisdom of their peers.

Suggested Image: A visual representation of how UGC on product pages boosts conversion rates, perhaps with a funnel illustration showing the increase from engagement to purchase.

Learn more about how UGC works as a form of social proof in our article on why UGC works.

UGC and ROI

One of the most compelling reasons to invest in UGC is the significant return on investment it offers. The following statistics highlight the impact of UGC on a brand’s bottom line:

• UGC improves return on ad spend (ROAS) by 4.5x for brands that incorporate it into their advertising strategies. (Glossier Case Study)
• Brands save up to 70% on content creation costs by leveraging UGC. (Social Media Examiner)
• UGC increases a brand’s click-to-purchase conversion rate by 10%. (PowerReviews)
• Campaigns using UGC see 20% higher ROI compared to campaigns using brand-generated content. (Forrester)
• UGC drives a 50% reduction in cost-per-click (CPC) compared to traditional ads. (Social Media Today)
• Consumers who interact with UGC are 2.4x more likely to convert than those who engage with brand-generated content. (Yotpo)
• Customers who view UGC are 97% more likely to convert than those who don’t. (TurnTo)
• UGC leads to a 25% higher customer lifetime value (CLV) than traditional content. (Pixlee)

Key Insight: UGC is cost-effective and impactful. By leveraging content created by your customers, you not only reduce production costs but also increase the likelihood of conversion, making every marketing dollar work harder.

Suggested Image: A comparative ROI chart showing the difference in return on ad spend (ROAS) between UGC-based campaigns and traditional campaigns.

For tips on how to incorporate UGC into your advertising strategy to maximize ROI, visit our UGC videos guide.

UGC and E-Commerce

In the world of e-commerce, UGC is not just beneficial—it’s essential. Here’s how UGC influences online shopping behavior:

• 74% of consumers say that UGC on e-commerce sites makes them more likely to purchase. (TurnTo)
• Product pages with UGC have a 64% higher conversion rate. (Yotpo)
• When e-commerce sites feature customer reviews, purchase likelihood increases by 63%. (Bazaarvoice)
• 40% of consumers have made a purchase after seeing a UGC post on social media. (Adweek)
• 78% of online shoppers trust product reviews over branded descriptions. (Edelman)
• UGC in email campaigns increases click-through rates by 73%. (Campaign Monitor)
• Shopping cart abandonment rates decrease by 25% when product pages feature UGC. (Bazaarvoice)

Key Insight: UGC influences purchasing decisions in the e-commerce space by providing authentic, relatable content that builds trust and reduces hesitation.

Suggested Image: An infographic showing the influence of UGC on shopping behavior, particularly highlighting the 64% higher conversion rate on product pages with UGC.

For strategies on leveraging UGC in e-commerce, read our post on UGC best practices.

Conclusion: The Power of UGC in 2025

The statistics are clear—UGC is more than just a marketing trend. It’s a critical component of successful marketing strategies, delivering higher engagement, trust, and, most importantly, ROI. As brands continue to look for ways to build authentic connections with their audiences, UGC will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital marketing. In 2025, brands that effectively leverage UGC will see tangible benefits, from increased conversions to stronger customer loyalty. By tapping into the power of user-generated content, marketers can build lasting relationships with their customers and drive long-term growth.