What is User-Generated Content? + Examples |
How did Meta develop a platform that generates $44 per user? What is the way LinkedIn earn $8 billion charging everyone from recruiters to premium members to employers?
Look at the companies that make billions of dollars in social media and you'll find that their value is directly linked to the users they serve. Content created by users is the key that powers these companies. It's also what's driving online forums, brand communities, Discord servers, Medium as well as the comment part of blogs, if you can still find such an option. And, as a community platform, we've got an insider's view of how UGC can create vibrant communities, a lot of which become 6- or even 8-figure companies on their own.
In this article We'll be discussing:
- What content created by users is.
- Why it's so important (plus pros and pros and).
- Examples of UGC.
- How to unlock UGC for your company or brand. company.
What is user-generated content (UGC)?
User-generated content can be defined as any material which is created by people who use an online platform rather than the platform's owners, regardless of whether the content is video, text, photos, or something other than that. Many social media platforms are based on user-generated content, but as do other internet platforms like online forums, and online communities. Most of these sites operate using a commercial model, where the platform offers a software and the users contribute the content.
If you're not a big social media company it is possible to utilize UGC for your advantage. As an example, many of our thrive especially because of user-generated content, because people gather to form a community, master something that interests them, and have some great conversation.
What does it mean? UGC helps businesses
Do you remember the app Clubhouse? It was marketed as a premium application for social listening, it was valued at an astounding $4 billion by 2021. It was not open to the public (you needed an invite) as well as featured regular appearances by big stars like Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk as well as Kevin Hart, and it exploded.
As the ban on pandemics were lifted, Clubhouse had a tough retention issue, and recently laid off a round of staff. And Clubhouse's active users have decreased for the past few years now-about 10 million weekly-in comparison to Pinterest is home to 482 million people per month.
The Threads platform is an interesting example. The platform reached 100 million users in 4 days! In the subsequent two weeks, it only reached 60 million. The increase has mostly plateaued-although Meta isn't making it accessible to the public.
Source: Statista
160 million active users on Threads is nothing to be snoozing at. But its rival X (Twitter) is home to more than 600 million monthly users.
The viability or otherwise of these platforms, as well as the billion-dollar valuations, hang on two factors: 1. Do people show up? 2. Do they create contents? It's not really a matter of importance.
This is evident with membership-based communities as well. We have found that we are able to accurately predict 93% whether an online community will succeed or fail. There are two things to consider: 1. Do people sign up? 2. Do they have a relationship with a person? The data was so powerful that we've been diving into developing a software system that can do more than just provide hosting for UGC, but also is focused on helping users meet one another.
The foundation of all that is social an online social network. The theory of social networks suggests the social network as the basis of human community. What is it that makes Facebook one of the largest platforms that has more than three billion users? Maybe it's because Facebook actually is based on personal, in-person social networks. It's possible to be angry with a stranger on Twitter and then delete the site. However, if Facebook is where you message your mom and grandma or sell items out of your garage, it's likely that you'll keep the platform around.
To allow UGC to be able to build an enterprise, it shouldn't just be about throwing contents into the world. Creating endless AI social media content isn't the best way to grow your business.
And that's why it is for commenting on blogs and social networks and Reddit, the real benefit of the platforms is in the involvement.
UGC is the term used to describe engagement. People who write content. Users who consume the content. If you do not possess UGC, you don't have the engagement.
Content created by users has advantages and drawbacks
User-generated content offers a variety of benefits for people who manage platforms.
Scale: Getting users active will allow content to be created quicker and farther than can be done by an individual business or site. Social media giants create very little or no content. For instance, YouTube estimates that around 500 hours of video content are uploaded EACH MINUTE! No company could achieve the same amount of content, despite AI.
Conversations with users that are directed by the user The internet is full of bizarre and amazing topics people talk about online. UGC allows users to create conversation and content they are passionate about.
Diversity of 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: This phenomenon is the description of how communities and platforms become more valuable each time a new member they get.
Enhancing customer experience: For an organization or brand the content created by users can be used to improve the customer experience and even customer service; for example Apple's community for customers includes members who can answer Q&As at their own pace.
However, there could be some disadvantages with user-generated content too:
- Incorrect and false information: With no gatekeepers, UGC allows anyone to create anything. With 55 percent of Americans say that false information is a concern that must be tackled, UGC can be a element of the issue.
- Bullying and intimidation: UGC from content creators as well as those who respond (e.g. in the comments) may refer to intimidation, bullies, or even content that is targeted at a particular group or person.
- Moderation: For the community host as well as social media firms moderating has evolved into an essential component of hosting UGC.
Don't let this discourage you from accepting user-generated content. Many of these negative impacts are mitigated by an effective community moderation system and guidelines. Offering users the option to assist in moderation can go far (e.g. the "report this post" button). ).
When people invest their time and energy into a area, they would like it to be positive. They're usually happy to assist by limiting their consumption.
Pros of user-generated content
- Scale content creation fast
- Incorporate many voices and points view
- increase organic reach, and increase conversation
- UGC can bring new users to your platform (e.g. if it gets shared) and can help you grow your user base.
Cons of user-generated content
- More risk of obtaining inaccurate or incorrect information
- Bullying and intimidation
- Moderation is needed
User-generated content examples
The Mighty Network
A Mighty Network is a community platform that gives Hosts power to bring together communities to change the lives of people. Members are able to participate in discussion, live events, courses, livestreams, and more. Community that are flourishing always enjoy great member engagement. (See the following examples ).
Founded in 2010, the photo-sharing app started in the hope of letting anybody share photos with filters. The app grew rapidly, and today has expanded to include more features like Reels and boasts more than 2 billion users.
YouTube
In the previous paragraph, we mentioned that there's 30,000 hours of new content on YouTube every hour. It would take you over 1900 years to view today's video uploads. YouTube is an absolute beast when it comes to UGC-and the fact that 30 percent of youngsters calling YouTuber their "dream job" it has had an impact on our cultural imagination. It doesn't matter if they're able to make money and generate revenue from their views or otherwise, YouTube is a juggernaut for UGC.
Blog Comments
The phenomenon isn't as popular these days, but starting a blog and getting blog comments used to be the OG of content created by users. It's still a common happening on a few blog sites, but especially on blog sites such as Medium. Some online news outlets still use this method too.
Local Reviews
There's been a lot of discussion about social media for a while, however, reviews of restaurants and attractions. on Google or Yelp are a huge instance of UGC.
Review of the Product Reviews
As with local reviews where you can read reviews about products before purchasing a product on Amazon or another online retailer .
Forums
If you spend any time at all in online communities like Reddit or Quora, you'll see that there are many people who hang out in those sites, creating material that keeps these platforms going. Reddit will have 53 million members by 2025.
Tips for unlocking UGC
1. Make great content
First and foremost, UGC is most likely to be derived from quality and engaging content. There are many tools out there to help to create lots of content. In terms of technology, you can endlessly produce AI text and share it.
However, great content is distinctive and starts conversations. When content is real the readers engage in discussion or even create.
2. Create niche spaces
Imagine who has control over algorithmic processes. Hootsuite states that the average participation rate of the Facebook Page post is 0.07 percent. What type of UGC can thrive in a social media environment where it doesn't get seen? Who wants to create content that nobody is able to see?
There is a solution to this: create environments that are not based on algorithms for users to create and share. Email. Online communities. Chat rooms. Apps. You need to create spaces which aren't based on algorithms 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 make content that's engaging. You can also find creative ideas to stimulate people's attention. Incorporating a contest or prize to reward contributions could also boost engagement!
4. Reviews
One of the primary types of UGC to a company's brand are reviews, testimonials, as well as other forms of positive feedback (negative feedback is also valuable however in a different way.) It is important to obtain UGC for review sites if you're selling a product or local reviews if you're using Google is essential as more and more people are influenced by reviews when making purchasing decisions. If you have testimonials on your website, UGC can be really valuable here too.
In the event of obtaining UGC feedback, make sure to ask. An easy prompt to get people to leave reviews or ratings can make an enormous difference in the amount of the amount of activity.
5. Gamify donation
If you want and need UGC and gamification, the whole process can make a difference. As an example, Apple's brand support community is heavily user-driven which includes a large number of volunteer who come to answer questions. The process has been gamified by introducing achievement levels as well as a private community for the top contributors. Incorporating rewards or gamification will encourage content creation.
Conclusion
In the final analysis UGC is a powerful tool. Many of the top brands around the globe have relied on UGC to propel them to multi-billion dollar valuations. It doesn't matter if it's billions people creating content or a community that shares their thoughts, UGC taps into human creativeness in a way that's amazing.