How to use customer content (UGC) in advertising campaigns?

Aug 17
4 min read

Updated: Aug 29

Introduction

In an era of crowded ads, the most powerful voice is no longer your ad... but rather the voice of your customer. Customer content (UGC - User Generated Content) has become one of the most powerful marketing tools, simply because: Real, spontaneous, and compelling.

If you have customers who love your product or service, you have an invaluable marketing treasure. In this post, we will explain to you how to use customer content in your advertising campaigns effectively, and why this type of content is considered more influential than any paid advertisement.

First: What is customer content (UGC)?

This is any content that customers voluntarily create related to your product or service, such as:

-A photo shared by a customer of a product they purchased

-Unboxing video or personal experience

-Positive comment or rating

-Voice or text review

: Story -

On Instagram mentions of your brand

💡 The fundamental difference? UGC originates from the customer – not the company.

Second: Why is UGC important for advertising campaigns?

Interest

Impact

Credibility

People trust the opinion of a user like him more than an official announcement

Interaction

UGC generates higher engagement compared to commercial content

Stimulus to purchase

Seeing your product in use from a real customer convinces new customers

Cost

It does not require huge production or studios

Diversity

It offers different angles of the product depending on each customer's style

Third: The types of customer content that are most effective

Testimonial Videos A customer talks about his experience and satisfaction with the product.
Realistic pictures Such as a photo of a product at home or during daily use.
Short video reviews (Reels/TikToks) A customer shows how he uses the product, or explains a feature he likes.
Instagram or Snapchat stories Momentary use of the product + mention of the brand.
Text reviews with pictures Displayed in site or text ads.

Fourth: How do you get customer content?

🟢 1. Encourage customers to participate

Use a phrase like: “Share your experience with us and stand a chance to win a giveaway!”
Or: “Use the hashtag #MyName and be part of our community!”

🟢 2. Launch a UGC campaign

example:

🟢 3. Use satisfied customers

After purchasing, send a message saying: "Do you like the product? Send us your opinion or a photo and we will publish it with your name."

🟢 4. Use a special discount code for those who participate

Everyone who shares UGC gets a discount code for next time.
Incentivize repetition and loyalty.

Fifth: How do you use UGC in advertising campaigns?

✅ 1. In Instagram and Facebook ads

Use a realistic photo or video of the customer.
Add a real comment written by a customer.
Ad example: “I ordered this product and it actually arrived within two days – I recommend it 👌🏼” – Noura from Riyadh

✅ 2. In Reels or TikTok Ads

Use real clips from a customer experience
Add a clear CTA: “Buy now and try for yourself!”

✅ 3. In Google Display campaigns

Photo of a customer with the product
Quoted comment
Button: "Read more experiences"

✅ 4. On landing pages

Add a section "What do our customers say?"
Show the customer's photo + first name + real opinion.

✅ 5. In the advertising email

Email address: “See what our customers said!”
Mail content: Offer + 3 real opinions + purchase link.

Sixth: Golden rules for using UGC ethically and effectively

The rule

Why is it important?

Take permission from the client

Respect privacy and build trust

Don't edit content in an annoying way

Keep it natural, just improve the lighting or cropping

State the client's name or region (with their permission)

To add credibility and a personal feel

Don't make up fake UGC

Any fraud quickly loses customer trust

Seventh: Tools that help you collect and use UGC

Tool

Use

Tagbox/Trustpilot

Display customer reviews in a stylish visual way

Canva/CapCut

Edit videos and photos to share

Google Forms / Typeform

Collect content from customers in an organized manner

Later / Hootsuite

Scheduling UGC on social media

Eighth: Real case studies

🧴Skin care store:

Launch a “before and after using the product” challenge
Receive 250 photos within 10 days
He used 10 of them in his ads
Result: 70% increase in orders within two weeks

☕ Coffee shop:

Offer a 15% discount to everyone who takes a photo of a coffee mug and shares it with the @account
Collection has more than 500 images
Use it in recurring Reels
Result: Increase in the number of visitors and repeat visits

Ninth: Advantages of advertising using UGC versus traditional advertising

Standard

Traditional advertising

UGC advertisement

Cost

High (filming + production)

Few or almost zero

Impact

Sometimes artificial

Spontaneous - realistic - convincing

Construction speed

It takes a long time

Fast and reusable

Acceptance from the public

He may encounter resistance

People feel like he "looks like them"

Conclusion

Customer content is not just a complement to your marketing strategy, it is... The heart of successful advertising in the age of social media.

Every satisfied customer is a potential advertisement.

Get started today:

Encourage your audience to participate
Organize the content you receive
Use it smartly in your campaigns
And always maintain credibility

💡 UGC = Turn customer satisfaction into a non-stop selling machine.