Wraps up in 6 Minutes
Wraps up in 6 Minutes
Published On August 31, 2024
Have you ever wondered about the power behind those viral TikTok videos or the impact of a glowing product review on Amazon?
Well, that’s because of user-generated content (UGC) and consumer-generated content (CGC)!
Nowadays, content is no longer just created by brands and media companies. You, me, and millions of others around the globe are now active participants in the content creation revolution.
But here's the thing — while UGC and CGC are often used interchangeably, they're not quite the same.
So, what sets these two apart?
In this post, we will explore what each term means, how they differ, and why understanding these differences is important.
So, what exactly is User-Generated Content?
Well, UGC refers to any content – be it text, images, videos, reviews, or even audio – that's created and shared by everyday users rather than brands.
It's the selfie you posted on Instagram, the review you left for that amazing restaurant or the unboxing video you shared on YouTube.
Essentially, if you've created content and shared it online without being paid or prompted by a brand, congratulations! You've contributed to the vast world of UGC.
What’s interesting is that you’ll find UGC thriving on various platforms.
Social media giants like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are popular platforms for UGC. Review sites such as Yelp and TripAdvisor rely heavily on user contributions. Even e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Etsy feature UGC in the form of product reviews and ratings.
CGC refers to content created by consumers specifically about products, services, or brands.
It's a subset of UGC that focuses more directly on consumer experiences and opinions related to purchases or brand interactions.
Like UGC, CGC has evolved significantly over time. It started with simple product reviews and testimonials but has grown to include a wide range of content types such as:
…and more!
Over time, CGC has become a crucial part of the modern consumer journey. It influences purchasing decisions, shapes brand perceptions, and provides a wealth of information for both consumers and businesses.
Now that you're familiar with both UGC and CGC, let's put them side by side and explore the key differences.
When it comes to how content is created, UGC and CGC take different paths:
The primary focus of the content also differs between UGC and CGC:
Who owns the content once it's created? This is an important distinction:
The effort and resources put into content creation can vary:
What drives people to create content? The reasons differ for UGC and CGC:
How much say do brands have over the content? This is a key difference:
How does each type of content influence people's decisions?
The amount of content produced differs significantly:
Brands use UGC and CGC differently in their marketing efforts:
How do brands track the impact of this content?
As you’ve learned, both types of content are created by users rather than brands.
UGC is more spontaneous, diverse, and focused on self-expression. CGC, on the other hand, is more brand-centric, often incentivized, and focused specifically on product or service experiences.
From a brand perspective, UGC is valuable for building community and trust, while CGC provides detailed product feedback and marketing opportunities.
But here's the exciting part: mastering the use of both UGC and CGC can skyrocket your marketing efforts. And that's where Wolfable comes in.
So, if you're a brand looking to leverage user-created content more effectively, Wolfable has the expertise you need. We'll help you turn the content created by your users and customers into your most powerful marketing asset.