User generated content (UGC) is one of the most powerful ways to grow your brand on Instagram. We’re talking about your actual customers, sharing their honest experiences with your business. Not celebrities. Not glossy ad campaigns. Just honest, relatable content that builds trust.
And it works too. In fact, up to 40% of consumers say that it influences their buying decisions heavily.
Read on as we discuss how to use user generated content on Instagram to build community, increase engagement, and save on ad spend.
What is User Generated Content (UGC)?
User generated content (UGC) is exactly what the name implies: content of any type (photos, videos, reels, etc) that’s created by your customers or audience, and not your brand. People voluntarily create and share it, tagging your business, showing off your product, or sharing their experiences with your service.
Instagram, in particular, is a goldmine for UGC. The platform thrives on original, authentic content, and that’s exactly what user generated content delivers.
On Instagram, UGC could be:
- A selfie someone posts wearing your handmade kurti and tagging you
- A happy customer leaving a glowing review on your post
- A reel showing how someone uses your products
- A heartfelt comment about how much they love your brand
It’s honest. It’s relatable.
And the best part? It’s unpaid, and it works. In fact, it’s so successful that experts predict that by 2033, up to 78% of online content will be user-generated.
Benefits of User Generated Content on Instagram in 2025
So, why is user generated content Instagram gold? Why should a bridal designer in Tamil Nadu bother with it? Let’s start by looking at some interesting stats:
- Instagram boasts 2 billion+ monthly users as of February 2025.
- As of February 2025, India has the largest Instagram user base in the world, 413 million.
- As of January 2025, 79% of marketers use Instagram as the platform of choice for advertising their business.
- 28% of marketers believe that Instagram is the best platform for engaging UGC.
- The global UGC market is valued at $9.85 billion in 2025 and will hit $35.44 billion by 2030.
The numbers above make it easy to see how and why this platform has become the perfect playground for UGC.
But beyond the numbers, here’s how Instagram user generated content can benefit your brand in 2025.
- More Exposure: UGC gives your brand serious exposure, more than you can ever pay for. When someone posts something about your brand, their followers see it. If those followers share it too, then their own followers will also see it. That’s a ripple effect of organic traffic that’s better than any paid ad.
- Boost in Trust and Credibility: In business, there’s nothing more convincing than real people using your products and services, loving them, and talking about them. It’s genuine, unscripted, and honestly, it’s the best kind of social proof there is.
But why are credibility, trust, and transparency even more crucial in 2025? Scott Clary, Founder of the Success Story Podcast, perfectly sums up the reason in the following words:
“Consumers are increasingly demanding transparency from brands. They want to know who’s behind the logo, what the company stands for, and how products are made. UGC helps to answer these questions and build trust.”
- Increased User Engagement: UGC invites interaction. People are more likely to comment, like, or even create their own UGC on your brand’s IG page when they see others doing so.
- Source of Content: Writing great social media posts every day can be exhausting, especially for small business owners with limited time, resources, and multiple hats. But when you encourage UGC on your Instagram, you can be assured of a steady stream of new, real-life material.
- Cost-Effective: Creating content takes time and money, two commodities many small Indian business owners don’t have enough of. But Instagram user generated content is free, and it’s often better because it’s real.
What Types of Instagram UGC Work Best in 2025?
UGC didn’t start today, but it’s become a change-maker for brands targeting the booming social media generation. Let’s discuss some of the most effective user generated content Instagram users are using to drive engagement and sales in 2025.
1. Photos and Videos
Photos and videos have always been, and are still, the most popular assets on IG. Imagine a customer takes a photograph of your product, uploads it to Instagram, and tags your business. That’s gold. Fact is, for 81% of marketers, this type of visual UGC is preferable to influencer content or traditional photographs.
Even better, a 2025 Zebracat study revealed that reels with authentic user-generated content see up to 38% engagement than the ones created by businesses.
2. Instagram Stories
People love sharing moments, such as when they’re receiving a delivery or trying something new, and these days, they can easily share these moments with IG Stories. Yes, Stories are fleeting, but they are also one of the top ways to use IG to improve your business.
3. Reviews and Testimonials
Reviews and testimonials are great UGC that can grow your brand. Screenshot a great DM or repost a positive review left in your comments. That’s a great way to build trust online, especially as 99% of shoppers say that they first check out reviews before deciding to buy.
4. Tutorials and Product Use Cases
Ever seen someone do a “my skincare routine using X product”? That’s exactly the kind of user-generated content Instagram loves. Real users showing how to use your products in a way that is educational, informative, and even entertaining can be a huge plus for your brand.
5. Hashtag Campaigns
Hashtags are a popular way to find stuff on social media, making it a great way to create user generated content on Instagram. When you create a branded hashtag, it gives your audience a way to share their own posts while tying them back to your brand. It could even go viral, taking your brand global.
Just look at how campaigns like #ShotoniPhone and #MyCalvins turned everyday people into enthusiastic brand ambassadors. Here in India, 2025 has seen #DesiSwag and #ViralReelsIndia trending heavily on Instagram.
6. Comments and Mentions
Comments are a goldmine of insights, ideas, and opinions. When people take the time to comment on your page, it’s proof that people actually engage with your brand. That’s just the kind of user-generated content Instagram thrives on: authentic and straight from your audience.
Examples of User-Generated Content on Instagram
Brands, both big and small, from Delhi to Lagos and London, are winning big by leveraging user generated content on Instagram. Here are a few standout campaigns:
1. Coca-Cola #ShareACoke campaign
Coca-Cola has one of the most memorable UGC campaigns so far. In 2011, the beverage giant swapped out its iconic logo for people’s names and encouraged fans to share. This UGC explosion saw hundreds of thousands of people post to Instagram using the hashtag #ShareACoke.
2. Starbucks: White Cup Contest
2014 saw Starbucks launch the White Cup Contest. This was a UGC campaign where customers were encouraged to make creative and artistic drawings on their white coffee cups. This campaign also took off with a blast. The result? Thousands of #WhiteCupContest submissions.
3. Apple’s #ShotoniPhone Campaign
After getting complaints about the quality of the iPhone camera, Apple’s way of turning things around was to make iPhone users unofficial brand ambassadors. The idea was that iPhone users would showcase pictures taken on their iPhones to show that the camera quality was not a problem.
Of course, this campaign became a marketing success, with people sharing exciting images with the hashtag #ShotOniPhone.
See how successful these Instagram user generated content campaigns were? Now, imagine replicating this for your business using a branded hashtag like #ChaiWithMyBrand. The result would be mind-blowing.
How To Create User Generated Content for Instagram in 2025?
Now, let’s make things actionable. Here’s how to use user generated content on Instagram:
- Ask: Sometimes, all it takes is just asking. A simple “Tag us in your post to get featured”, and it may surprise you how many people will respond.
- Create Shareable Moments: Make your products Instagram-friendly. Think aesthetics. If your packaging, product, or store is visually striking, it boosts your chances of having user-generated content Instagram users will want to share.
- Leverage Hashtags: We’ve already talked about branded hashtags. Create a concise, catchy, and easy-to-remember hashtag, share it, and encourage people to use it.
- Run Contests: Everyone loves a freebie. Ask users to share content using your hashtag for a chance to win something. This approach is always a big winner.
- Engage With Your Audience: Like, comment, and respond to your audience all the time. Show people that you’re there and listening. It helps. You may also want to use this opportunity to encourage feedback and reviews.
- Collaborate with Creators: Look for micro-influencers and loyal customers who actively resonate with your brand, and work with them. There are different ways this can work, including product swap or tag for feature.
- Leverage AI: In 2025, creating a successful UGC campaign is like trying to navigate a busy city using a paper map instead of a GPS. You’ll arrive at your destination, but it’s a slow, inefficient process, and full of missed opportunities. Instead, leverage AI-powered tools like HeyGen, Canva, Symphony Studio, and more to unlock more creative potential.
Now, before you go and start reposting, it’s important you do things right. You want to keep things respectful and legally sound. Here’s how:
- Always Request Permission: Even if someone tagged you first, always ask before resharing their post. A simple DM may be all you need.
- Create Separate Accounts for UGC Submissions: It is a good idea to have separate accounts for your user generated content on Instagram. It keeps things organized. It also gives your users freedom to shine, and could be good as a backup if something happens to your main page.
- Give Credit: Always credit the original creator. Tag or mention them. This will cost you nothing and boost your credibility online.
FAQs
How is UGC Different From Influencer Content?
User-generated content comes from people who have a relationship with your brand, your actual customers who love what you do, and share their experiences. Influencer content, on the other hand, involves collaborations with people with established audiences.
What is the Importance of UGC in Instagram Marketing?
UGC is all about trust, transparency, and engagement. People trust reviews from real people more than they trust press releases. So, when someone sees a real person using your product, loving it, and sharing it online, it resonates differently and can convince them to buy from you also.
Is User-Generated Content Worth It?
Yes, it is. UGC is basically one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies today. You don’t spend Lakhs on production, but you still get content that drives engagement and sales.
How Do I Start UGC on Instagram?
Starting a UGC campaign is easy. Create a brandable hashtag, then encourage your followers to use it to share your content. You can also launch a contest to encourage users and speed things along. You should also consider working with expert social media managers so that you can have a long-term strategy with measurable ROI.
What are the Latest Trends in UGC?
UGC in 2025 has gone beyond photo and video sharing. Brands are now using artificial intelligence and augmented reality to enhance UGC experiences. We’re also seeing a lot of live-stream shopping where creators showcase their products and services to their audiences in real time.
Wrapping Up
UGC isn’t some new fad. It’s how real connections happen, blending creativity with marketing. Done right, it can be wildly successful.
Hopefully, this article has given you a clear idea of how to use user generated content on Instagram and make a success of it.
If you need a hand, our social media services at Justwords can help. We can take the work off your hands so that you can be free to focus on what you do best, running your business.
Ready to make the most user generated content Instagram has to offer? Get in touch today.
