UGC has become a more valuable instrument for companies, from web sensations to established advertising organizations. As per a report by Grand View Research, the increasing significance of UGC is discussed here. The global market is valued at $5.36 billion at present and is supposed to rise to $32.6 billion by 2030. However, what is the major reason behind this? Authenticity! People trust content made by actual users because it is real and easy to relate to, which makes it more effective.
However, the current state of UGC is constantly changing. Therefore, it is imperative to keep abreast of the trends that shape its future.
Through this article, we will discuss the top UGC trends to watch in 2025
The following trends allow marketers and creators to explore several impelling avenues, from captivating the audience with VR simulators to the kindest diversity-based online communities.
Let's explore the UGC trends in 2025 and their influence on the audience together!
Key UGC Trends To Watch in 2025
The impact of user-generated content (UGC) on the digital marketing industry is going to be sustained even in 2025, which promises to foster innovative and promising trends that companies ought to observe. These UGC trends of 2025 show that authenticity, engagement, and technology serve as the backbone of UGC in this world.
1. Short-Form Video Dominance:
2025 will witness overwhelming short-form user-generated video content. Indeed, the social media platform algorithms prefer short-form pieces of content that are much more fun and engaging. Thus, it can reach out to a broader audience.
According to HubSpot, around 30% of marketers are currently investing in short-form videos, while 56% of marketers are planning to invest in TikTok next year. The prime reason is that short-format videos ranging from 31 to 60 seconds are effective in capturing viewers' attention and engaging them more.
YouTube's Shorts, Meta's post-loop ads and Reels, or even the whole TikTok concept can be considered short-form content platforms. These short and exciting videos grab attention immediately and increase participation, which leads to a better ROI.
2. Partnerships With Influencers For UGC Product Videos:
SkyQuest Technology states that influencer marketing is one of the fastest-growing industries. The market value was estimated at USD 13.86 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 139 billion by 2031. This giant leap is because brands are using influencers more and more to connect with target customers and, thus, achieve specific results.
Joint production or partnerships with influencers are one of the critical UGC trends for 2025. Brands can efficiently generate more authentic, relatable, and practical UGC by collaborating closely with influencers and their followers. This collaborative approach creates a sense of ownership and connection for both the influencers and their followers.
Brands can collaborate with influencers to use their creativity and skills. Influencers use their loyal fanbase to create a UGC that speaks to their fans and helps establish trust and reliability in the brand.
3. UGC in Email Marketing:
Digital marketing continues to progress rapidly and is spreading across various platforms. Even with all this development, email marketing remains the most potent tool for marketers in every sector. Consequently, UGC integration in email marketing is becoming a prominent trend in 2025.
As per Oberlo, 9 out of 10 marketers use email marketing to share content organically. However, people's inboxes are overcrowded every year, and their expectations of the brands they love keep on rising. 49% of customers said they would prefer to get promotional emails from their favourite brands every week (as reported by Statista).
Thus, there is a need for brands to utilize more eye-catching and authentic visuals to drive the success of this marketing channel.
4. Increased Use of AI for UGC Curation:
Another of the top UGC trends to watch in 2025 is the integrated role of AI in UGC creation. AI is expected to do even more in the organization and management of UGC than it currently does.
Sephora employs artificial intelligence to collect data on customers' purchase choices and recognize the most popular beauty products. Then, they launch UGC campaigns that present these products in action and support user-generated content.
Brands will be enabled to use an AI dashboard to filter UGC and pick the most interesting ones according to engagement and sentiment. This movement will make the process of content management less challenging and enhance the outcomes of the successful implementation of the campaign.
5. Social Commerce Integration:
Social commerce integration will become one of the most essential UGC trends in 2025. Now, users prefer to shop online, not in stores, and it results in such outcomes as 73 percent of consumers actively shopping through social networks and 76 percent of people claiming they are ‘very influenced’ by smart social network shopping, according to the survey of Ecommerce Age. Hence, brands are now using social networks to implement UGC campaigns.
Engaging customer reviews, testimonials, and product demonstrations will be integrated into shoppable posts and videos, which makes UGC worthwhile in the buying process.
6. UGC in Augmented Reality (AR):
When the topic is one of the top UGC trends to watch in 2025, the importance of augmented reality (AR) cannot be overlooked the accessibility of AR technology results in user-generated content shifting its focus from text to immersive experiences. Brands will also encourage users to generate AR filters, provide interactive elements, and trial virtual products, which are more entertaining and futuristic than usual UGC.
7. Increased Focus on UGC For Brand Advocacy:
Today, brands use UGC to create brand advocates who participate in the brand story. UGG has been effectively utilized by many brands, and they have formulated various marketing strategies.
The #RedCupContest of Starbucks has made a breakthrough with customer-created design entries on its red cups. This contest turned into a great customer engagement campaign and a TikTok phenomenon. GoPro’s featured Photo of the Day calls for audience participation, stressing their product’s adaptability and bringing about a sense of community to the travellers who share the product's love.
The year 2025 will see a shift in brands' utilization of UGC for engagement and advocacy. The brand will focus on developing a community of clients who will create the brand's content and promote the product or services, therefore turning loyal customers into brand ambassadors.
8. UGC in Video Ads:
The incorporation of user-generated content (UGC) in video ads will be one of the significant UGC trends to watch in 2025. It can lead to a remarkable increase in the effectiveness of your call to action (CTA) and conversion rates. As per GryNow Media, 45% of people now watch YouTube and Facebook videos for review and recommendation purposes. It is no wonder that many companies use this strategy.
Due to the rights you acquire through UGC, you may also use these videos on social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and others. Airbnb’s “Night At” contest, Nike’s “Play For The World” campaign, McDonald’s “#McDStories” campaign, etc.
If companies stay alert to these UGC trends for 2025, they can rely on UGC as the primary way to connect with their clients. It engages the UGC and thus delivers on the marketing goals. However, the role of a UGC agency in this context is commendable. Let's explore how!
Utilizing UGC Trends in 2025: How a UGC Agency Can Keep Your Brand Ahead
Innovative engagement with the UGC trends in 2025 is, in fact, an absolute necessity for the brands that are aiming to continue existing in the competition. Alongside the UGC agency, they have a definitive edge at the strategy level. The UGC company draws from deep knowledge in the industry, rich UGC creator networks, and state-of-the-art applications to create top-notch UGC content that clicks with the right target audience.
Brands can take advantage of the most appropriate UGC agency partners to create original and compelling content efficiently by empathizing with the needs of end-users while trying to address the changing market competitive environment. They can also ensure authenticity, engagement, and tactical alignment of posts, which leads to the engagement of a customer.
Conclusion:
UGC is still restructuring, but it is now considered an even more notable part of digital marketing strategies. Top UGC Trends in 2025 will shape the future, from the popularity of short-form video and AI-based content creation to social commerce adoption and virtual AR experiences.
Brands that will adopt these emerging user-generated content trends in 2025, such as cooperating with the best UGC agency, will be able to compete in the market, increase people's involvement, and nurture customers' loyalty. It is through these UGC trends of 2025 that companies will be in a position to exploit the real effects of UGC and thereby raise their promotional strategies further.
