Best Trending UGC Video Examples Across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube

With the modernization of social media, User Generated Content (UGC) has flourished in brand marketing and creator personas. Unlike standard advertisement, UGC boasts inherent authenticity and is much more engaging as it garners user attention on such platforms as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

UGC becomes valuable in two ways. The first is turning users into participants instead of viewers, thus allowing users interaction with brand storytelling. The second is that UGC are oftentimes more persuasive than advertisements because users are likely to trust real-life experiences owned by everyday users. In an era of short videos and fractured content, UGC has become relevant for traffic and conversion.

This article highlights the best ugc video examples on the charts today. Including the different types and scenarios, this article exemplifies how UGC is continuing to make strides across platforms.

What’s UGC？

UGC (User-Generated Content) is content created and shared by ordinary users, not brands or media companies. It comes in many variations – short videos, photos, comments, unboxing experiences, tutorials, and even simple text shares. UGC is a content type that is closer to users’ authentic expressions than advertising, it is user-generated content that is more organic and personalized. UGC is perceived and accepted as authentic content by most users- other users. UGC trusts and resonates more with audiences, because it is from a real user.

The Value of UGC

User-Generated Content (UGC) is becoming more important in the content ecosystem of social media. Not only can brands have a way to communicate, but users can also more easily engage in communication.

● Increased Trust: Authentic user feedback is more powerful than any advertisement.

● Greater Engagement: Users are no longer passive agents; they can now join the brand’s narrative.

● Less Production Costs: UGC has a short production cycle and has a low cost compared to traditional content, making it much cheaper for brands.

● Greater Spread: With the ability to expand on trending topics on platforms, UGC can easily go viral, in a short time.

10 UGC Video Examples

1.  Unboxing Videos:

Users capture the process of unboxing products, showing the packaging, details, and first impressions. Genuine reactions can quickly ignite curiosity in the audience.

@carolinapeterscosta

Let’s unbox my latest Sephora makeup order. Can’t wait to try all of this✨ #sephora #sephorahaul #sephoraunboxing #makeupunboxing #creatorsearchinsights

♬ rock your body clara la san – audios4thedonn

2.  Reviews & Recommendations:

Users rate products from an experience perspective, and these ratings are often seen as more credible than an official piece of marketing material, particularly for beauty, tech, and home appliance products.

@mayaya.kimmm

A holy grail for my oily acne prone skin girlies- Product name at the end! Also it’s much cheaper if you get it in Korea so save it for your next Korean trip✈️ #creatorsearchinsights #skincarewishlist #innisfree #innisfreenosebum #powder #skincarerecommendations #blurpowder #pores

♬ Little Things – Adrián Berenguer

3.  How-to / Tutorials: 

UGC illustrates the product in use or provides tips on how to use it, allowing potential users to get the quickest understanding of the product’s benefits.

@tastyiri_en

10-MINUTE MEAL IDEA 🍅 INGREDIENTS: ▪ 4-5 medium tomatoes (about 1 lb) ▪ 2 eggs ▪ 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ▪ 1/2 medium onion (about 1/3 cup chopped) ▪ 1 small piece red bell pepper (about 1/4 cup chopped) ▪ 1/3 cup grated cheese (about 1.5 oz) ▪ Spices to taste (pepper, paprika, oregano, salt) ⏳ Time: 10 min | 🌡 Heat: medium-low on stove STEPS: 1️⃣ Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add chopped onion and bell pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft. 2️⃣ Add whole tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes, then peel and mash them well in the pan. 3️⃣ Mix spices and grated cheese into the tomato mixture. 4️⃣ Add the eggs and gently stir until cooked to your liking (2-3 minutes). #easyrecipes #quickmeals #eggs #tomatoes #healthy

♬ original sound – tastyiri_en

4. Lifestyle Vlogs: User-generated content shows the product in action, or gives instruction on using the product, and gives a potential user the quickest understanding of the product and its value.

@juhcobo

slow mornings 🌸 #skincare #nyc #nycapartment #lifestyleaesthetic #aesthetic #morningroutine

♬ sonido original – Vibes by Ley

5. Before & After Videos: Presenting effects in a comparative format, commonly used in skincare, fitness, and home decoration contexts, offering strong visual impact that encourages sharing.

@unyy.sall

Before & after room!🎀💗 #beforeandafter #fyp #room #dekorasikamar #makeover #glowup #foryou #asthetic

♬ som original – erick

6. Challenges & Trends: Users create UGC videos utilizing trending challenges and dance moves on popular platforms, so they can take advantage of social sharing effects or rapid dissemination.

@katseyeworld

Try Not to Laugh Challenge: Dream Academy edition. ✨ #DREAMACADEMYHQ #HYBE #GEFFEN #드림아카데미

♬ Funny Song – Funny Song Studio & Thomas Hewitt Jones & Sounds Reel

7. Funny & Creative Clips: Incorporating humor and creativity increases the watchability of content and the likelihood of spontaneous sharing by audiences.

@scbmovement

Every boy group photo ends like this 🤷‍♀️ #boys #photo #pose #handgestures #urge #relatable #funny #comedy #skit

♬ original sound – SCB

8. Testimonials & Storytelling: Relating personal stories with brands carries emotional meaning and builds a more humanized image of the brand.

@leahhopehealth

I really didn’t know if it was possible for me. Throughout so much of my life, I’d think things like, “When I lose weight, I’ll do this,” as if part of me believed it would happen. But deep down, I don’t think I really knew. I hoped. I wanted it. I prayed for it. But it took me a long time to reach the point where I actually wanted to change my life for it. I didn’t spend too much time thinking about whether it would happen because that would’ve meant confronting the part of myself I wanted to avoid most. It would’ve meant being honest about the part of my life I was neglecting. It would’ve meant accepting that the power to change had been in my hands all along. But once I realized I was the one holding myself back—staying stuck in a destructive cycle, living with unhealthy habits, and making excuses to stay the same—I knew I had to make a change. So I started small.
I started with healthy habits.
I started with mindset.
I started with accountability.
I started with hope.
I started with patience.
I started with the understanding that there would be no “end date.” I know I say this a lot, but I wouldn’t be here, sharing my journey online, if I didn’t believe it was possible for you too. It’s just not worth it otherwise. The criticism, the energy I pour into this, the work that goes into creating content… validation and attention aren’t enough to make that worth it. But inspiring people? Giving them hope? Helping someone believe in what’s possible? That makes it all worth it. Every time. I truly believe from the bottom of my heart, that if I can do it, so can you. I poured my heart and all that I’ve learned into a guide that includes everything that made my 200lb natural weight loss possible so that others could experience the same freedom I feel now! 👉🏻 Visit leahhopehealth.com/buy-getting-started (like in my profile) to purchase for 25% off! ✨ #naturalweightloss #weightlosstransformation #weightlossprogress

♬ TakeHer2TheMoon4Me – H Y O U K Λ

9. Duets / Collabs: Popular on TikTok in particular, users also engage with original videos in such as manner that they generate secondary content through this engagement.

@fallontonight

#duet with @Stacey Ryan | Jimmy sings Stacey Ryan’s “Don’t Text Me When You’re Drunk” for an OpenVerseChallenge! #FallonTonight

♬ original sound – FallonTonight

10. Social Causes / Awareness Content: Users construct videos pertaining to social issues, including environmental protection and charity. This model gives user-generated content more value and meaning in general and more specifically social value and impact.

@smsupermalls

Give an hour for Earth, let’s save the planet together! 💡 Join the #SMEarthHour2024 movement today 💙💚 @officialsmcares #GiveAnHourForEarth #gethypedatsm #earthour #earthour2024 #savetheplanet #earthourchallenge #fyp #foryou

♬ original sound – SM Supermalls – SM Supermalls

These are a few UGC video examples showing the various ways user-generated content can flourish on social media by generating engagement and authenticity to brands and creators.

FAQs

1. What is a UGC video? 

User-Generated Content. It’s content made by everyday users, and not professional brand teams. UGC of different types includes unboxing reviews, daily vlogging, funny clips, memes/challenges, and social awareness content.

2.  Why is UGC a particularly hot form of content on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube? 

The algorithms on these platforms reward engagement and time spend! UGC videos are usually light and authentic, allowing users to quickly get involved and afterwards engage through likes, commenting, and sharing. The engagement can also act as a booster to algorithm-based recommendations, creating a “snowball effect,” meaning users keep seeing the content. In contrast to traditional ads, UGC videos could feel more like “sharing from a friend,” making it inherently more desirable to users.

3.  Why do companies need UGC videos?

Not only does UGC increase brand visibility, it can also improve conversion rates. In fact, studies show that more than 70% of consumers will look at authentic user reviews or videos before making a purchase. UGC is a type of social proof that provides potential customers with actual visuals of usage outcomes, to help eliminate doubt. For brands, it’s a very inexpensive, trustworthy resource for communicating with their customers.

4. What’s the difference between UGC and conventional advertising?

Traditional advertising is usually a one-directional, polished, marketing message. UGC encourages two-directional, authenticity, and genuine experiences – it is normally way more casual and natural. UGC, because it is a video, it may look amateurish, however, audiences are likely thinking, “this is just an average person who is like me”. It is so much easier to trust. The two are not mutually exclusive. Many brands utilize UGC – with ads – as a part of an overall marketing campaign.