The Most Effective Types of UGC Content for Marketing in 2026

User-generated content (UGC) is one of the most powerful strategies for brands in 2026. Campaigns featuring UGC see 29% higher web conversions than campaigns without it, proving that audiences trust real users more than polished branded ads (Source). UGC is authentic, relatable, and highly persuasive, making it essential for any UGC marketing strategy, especially on short-form platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.

UGC content is social proof. It builds trust, drives engagement, and scales faster than traditional influencer campaigns. From reviews to videos and interactive campaigns, UGC allows brands to showcase authentic experiences while connecting with audiences in a way that feels organic. Platforms like SideShift make it easy to scale UGC campaigns by connecting brands with thousands of vetted creators who know how to produce content that converts.

Types of User-Generated Content

UGC, or user-generated content, can show up in paid media or earned media. The difference is all about whether the brand actively solicited it. At its core, UGC is any content created by your audience rather than by your marketing team.

Take this for example: a friend goes out to dinner, posts a picture of her cocktail and meal, and tags the restaurant in her instagram story. The brand didn’t ask for it, but they can repost it, share it, or highlight it, and that’s free, authentic, user generated content. That’s the earned media side of UGC, which is all about organic, real-world engagement that naturally happens around your brand.

Then there’s the paid UGC side, where brands actively run campaigns to engage and connect with multiple creators to post content on their behalf in return for money or product exchange or some other incentive. This can be in the form of reviews, tagged photos, videos, and challenges. Sometimes brands will pay creators directly to produce high-quality content at scale especially if they’re looking to boost reach or engagement in a measurable way.

By understanding and leveraging both organic and paid UGC, brands can maximize authenticity, reach, and ROI without having to create all the content in-house. Platforms like SideShift make this process seamless, helping brands source, manage, and scale UGC campaigns across TikTok, Reels, Shorts, and more.

Here is a further breakdown of the different types of UGC:

Written Content

Written UGC includes reviews, testimonials, social media posts, blog articles, and case studies. Reviews and testimonials are particularly powerful, with 70% of consumers considering UGC ratings before purchasing and 41% reading multiple reviews to make informed decisions (Source). Social media comments and short posts offer spontaneous, relatable insights, while blog posts and case studies provide in-depth storytelling that helps potential customers understand your product or service.

Here’s an example of a hybrid “written-and-visual UGC” content outcome. This content creator used written UGC from her community in the form of customer reviews to support her social media marketing strategy for her online course with a carousel of graphics showcasing the community reviews on the product to build trust and credibility among prospective buyers:

Visual Content

Visual UGC, such as customer photos, graphics, and infographics, has a significant impact on purchasing decisions. Research shows 62% of people say customer photos influence purchase decisions (source). Photos of real users using your product, shared across social media, add credibility and encourage engagement, while infographics and user-created visuals help explain concepts or highlight product benefits in an organic way.

Video & Audio Content

Video and audio UGC are especially effective for short-form platforms. UGC video and audio content can include:

• Unboxing videos: Highlight the excitement of receiving a product.
• Tutorials and how-to videos: Help users understand product use.
• Vlogs: Personal stories featuring your brand.
• Before-and-after clips: Demonstrate product results.
• Product reviews: Share honest opinions.
• ASMR or sensory videos: Focus on sound and experience to engage audiences.

These formats allow users to experience the product authentically, building trust while driving conversions. For instance, a UGC-style daily vlog video can seamlessly feature a product in the creator’s real-life routine, making the promotion feel natural rather than scripted. Here’s an example of this approach in action:

Interactive & Campaign Content

Interactive UGC, such as hashtag campaigns, contests, challenges, and brand mentions, encourages participation and generates a continuous stream of content. These campaigns also create shareable content that can be repurposed across social media, email, ads, and landing pages, boosting ROI while keeping content fresh and engaging.

Scaling UGC Campaigns with SideShift

By leveraging SideShift’s creator network, brands can produce high-volume, high-quality UGC that performs across TikTok, Reels, and Shorts, without overloading internal teams. This makes it possible to scale campaigns efficiently while maintaining authenticity and consistency. The key to scaling UGC effectively is having a streamlined process for creator management, content review, and performance tracking. SideShift allows brands to:

• Connect with thousands of vetted creators instantly.
• Manage campaigns, submissions, and approvals in one place.
• Automate payments and handle contracts seamlessly.
• Track engagement, views, and conversions in real time.

Final Thoughts

UGC remains one of the most effective content strategies for 2026. By integrating written, visual, video, and interactive content into your campaigns, brands can increase engagement, conversions, and overall ROI. Platforms like SideShift make it easier than ever to scale high-quality UGC across multiple channels and connect with a wide network of social media specialists constantly ready to create, empowering brands to reach new audiences while keeping campaigns authentic and measurable.

Ready to scale your UGC campaigns and drive real results? Explore available creators on SideShift and start your campaign today.

FAQs

1. What types of UGC drive the highest conversions?

Video content such as unboxing, product tutorials, before-and-after clips, and vlogs consistently drive the highest conversions. These formats allow viewers to see the product in action, build trust, and experience a relatable, authentic story that encourages action.

2. How can brands use photos and visual content effectively?

Customer photos, infographics, and other visual UGC can showcase real-life use cases, inspire purchase decisions, and add social proof. Highlight these visuals on social media, product pages, and ads to increase credibility and drive engagement.

3. Are unboxing and tutorial videos worth investing in?Absolutely. Unboxing, tutorials, before-and-after clips, and vlogs provide immersive, authentic experiences that help audiences understand your product while building trust.

4. How do hashtag campaigns and contests benefit brands?Hashtag campaigns and user-generated contests drive engagement, increase brand visibility, and generate a steady stream of content you can repurpose across channels.

5. Can UGC be repurposed across platforms for better ROI?Yes. Content like photos, videos, and reviews can be adapted for TikTok, Reels, Shorts, ads, and emails. Platforms like SideShift make it easy to scale UGC production while maintaining quality and performance tracking.