In 2025, audiences are more skeptical than ever about polished ads and influencer endorsements. They crave authenticity, genuine experiences, genuine opinions, and authentic stories. That’s where User-Generated Content (UGC) steps in.

UGC is any form of content, such as photos, videos, testimonials, or reviews, created by your customers that features your brand. From a customer unboxing your product on Instagram UGC to a happy client posting a before-and-after video on TikTok, these moments are marketing gold for brands.

But here’s the challenge: how do you share UGC on social media effectively while keeping it authentic, on-brand, and legally safe?

This guide breaks it all down, from collecting and getting permission to posting and measuring success. Whether you’re a marketer, an eCommerce brand, or a social media manager, you’ll learn exactly how to make UGC a powerful part of your UGC strategy.

enhancing brand engagement with ugc

Why Brands Should Share UGC on Social Media

Before jumping into the how-to, let’s understand why UGC is essential for your brand’s growth.

1. Builds Authenticity and Trust

People trust people more than brands. In fact, 90% of consumers say that UGC influences their buying decisions more than traditional ads. Sharing real customer experiences makes your brand relatable and trustworthy.

2. Strengthens Community and Loyalty

When customers see their content featured by your brand, it makes them feel valued. This creates a sense of belonging and encourages more people to share their experiences, strengthening your brand community.

3. Increases Reach and Engagement

UGC naturally performs better on social media. It feels genuine, sparks conversations, and attracts more engagement. Every tagged creator also helps you reach a wider audience.

4. Drives Conversions

According to research, UGC can improve conversion rates by up to 29%. Seeing real people use your products provides the kind of social proof that encourages others to make a purchase.

5. Reduces Content Creation Costs

You don’t need to spend thousands on photo shoots or UGC campaigns. UGC provides a steady stream of high-quality, brand-relevant content directly from your customers.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Share UGC on Social Media

steps to share ugc on social media

Now that you know why UGC matters, let’s walk through the exact process of sharing it effectively.

Step 1: Collect the Right UGC

The first step is to gather authentic, high-quality content from your audience.

A. Encourage Submissions

  • Create a branded hashtag (e.g., #MyBrandStory or #ShareWithTaggbox)
  • Ask customers to tag your handle or use your hashtag when sharing their posts
  • Run UGC contests or giveaways, encouraging users to post about your product

B. Use UGC Collection Tools

Manually searching through hashtags is time-consuming. Instead, use platforms like Taggbox, Pixlee, or Later that automatically collect UGC from multiple social platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.
These UGC tools make it easy to filter, curate, and organize content for repurposing.

C. Choose High-Quality, Relevant Posts

Not every UGC post will match your brand’s aesthetic or message. Pick the ones that best represent your brand’s values, visual tone, and audience preferences.

Step 2: Request Permission Before Sharing

One of the biggest mistakes brands make is reposting content without permission. Always ensure you have the creator’s consent before sharing their work.

Why Permission Matters

  • Protects your brand legally
  • Builds trust with your community
  • Encourages more users to share their content, knowing it will be respected

How to Ask for Permission

  • Comment on the post:
    “Hi [Name]! We love your photo 😍 — may we share it on our social media (with credit to you)?”
  • Direct message (DM):
    Send a polite message outlining how and where you’ll use their content.
  • Use rights management tools:
    Tools like Taggbox have built-in permission request systems, making the process faster and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

Step 3: Give Proper Credit

Crediting the original creator is non-negotiable. It not only gives recognition but also encourages others to participate.

Here’s how to do it right:

  • Tag the creator in the caption and the photo/video
  • Mention them directly in Stories or Reels
  • Include their handle in your post description (e.g., “📸: @username”)

This simple gesture builds goodwill and motivates others to create and share their own content featuring your brand.

Step 4: Customize UGC for Each Platform

Every social media platform has a different audience, content style, and engagement format. You need to tailor UGC to fit each one.

1. Instagram

  • Share customer posts as feed content, Reels, or Stories
  • Use Instagram Highlights to keep UGC accessible long-term
  • Add branded templates or frames for a cohesive look

2. TikTok

  • Repost customer videos or duet them
  • Feature creative customer challenges or UGC reviews
  • Keep content authentic, avoid over-editing user videos

3. Facebook

  • Share customer reviews, photos, or testimonials on your page
  • Create UGC-based ad campaigns to boost engagement
  • Highlight user stories in Facebook Groups or Events

4. LinkedIn

  • Showcase B2B success stories or customer testimonials
  • Use employee-generated content (EGC) to humanize your brand
  • Add captions highlighting professional results or achievements

5. X (Twitter)

  • Retweet customer mentions or reviews
  • Use quote tweets to add your brand’s response or gratitude
  • Keep it conversational and authentic

By customizing UGC for each platform, you maintain relevance while amplifying your brand voice.

Step 5: Maintain Brand Consistency

UGC is raw and real, but your social feed should still look cohesive.

Tips to Stay Consistent:

  • Use a consistent color palette and visual theme
  • Add branded overlays, filters, or frames to unify posts
  • Maintain tone consistency, whether it’s fun, minimal, or elegant
  • Write captions in your brand’s voice, even when reposting others’ content

Platforms like Taggbox Studio or Canva let you brand UGC templates while keeping authenticity intact.

Step 6: Engage with Creators

Your job doesn’t end after posting. Engagement is what keeps your community alive.

Ways to Engage:

  • Thank creators publicly in comments or Stories
  • Reply to their posts and share appreciation
  • Feature “Creator of the Month” or “Customer Spotlight” campaigns
  • Send discount codes or small rewards for contributors

This interaction turns your customers into long-term brand advocates.

Best Practices for Sharing UGC on Social Media

Once you’ve mastered the basics, follow these best practices to maximize results:

1. Use Branded Hashtags

Encourage users to tag your unique hashtag when sharing content. This not only boosts discoverability but also helps you track all UGC in one place.

2. Keep a UGC Approval Workflow

Establish an internal review process. Have your marketing or legal team approve content before posting, especially for paid or ad use.

3. Track UGC Performance

Use analytics to monitor:

  • Engagement rate (likes, comments, shares)
  • Reach and impressions
  • Conversions or website traffic from UGC posts

Taggbox’s analytics dashboard helps track UGC performance and identify top-performing content.

4. Repurpose UGC Across Channels

Don’t limit UGC to social media. You can also:

  • Embed UGC galleries on your website
  • Add UGC to product pages for social proof
  • Use UGC in email campaigns
  • Display live social walls at events or digital signages

5. Avoid Over-Editing

Keep UGC as authentic as possible. Over-filtering or heavy edits can make it lose credibility.

How Tools Like Taggbox Simplify UGC Sharing

While manual collection and posting work for small brands, scaling UGC across multiple social platforms can be overwhelming. That’s where Taggbox comes in.

Key Features of Taggbox for UGC Sharing:

  1. Collects UGC from Multiple Platforms:
    Automatically aggregates content from Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and more.
  2. Rights Management:
    Request and manage content usage permissions directly within the platform.
  3. Curation & Moderation:
    Filter out irrelevant or inappropriate posts with advanced UGC moderation tools.
  4. Direct Publishing:
    Share UGC directly on your social media or display it on websites, digital screens, and eCommerce pages.
  5. Analytics & Insights:
    Track how UGC performs across platforms and identify the content that drives engagement and conversions.

Why It Matters:
For brands managing large social presences, Taggbox saves hours of manual work while ensuring compliance, consistency, and creativity.

Real Brand Examples of UGC in Action

1. Starbucks

Starbucks frequently reposts customer photos using #Starbucks or seasonal hashtags like #RedCupSeason. It keeps their feed community-driven and festive.

2. GoPro

GoPro’s entire marketing strategy is built on UGC. They feature videos and photos captured by customers using their cameras, turning everyday users into brand storytellers.

3. Airbnb

Airbnb reposts traveler photos and experiences, showcasing authentic stories that inspire others to book their next stay.

Each of these brands uses UGC not as filler content, but as a strategic tool to build trust and authenticity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Sharing UGC

Even experienced marketers make errors that can hurt their UGC campaigns. Here’s what to watch out for:

  • ❌ Sharing without permission
  • ❌ Ignoring credit to creators
  • ❌ Posting low-quality or off-brand content
  • ❌ Over-branding or editing UGC
  • ❌ Neglecting engagement after reposting

Being mindful of these ensures your UGC strategy remains ethical and effective.

Measuring the Success of Your UGC Strategy

A successful UGC strategy is measurable. Use these key metrics to gauge impact:

  • Engagement Rate: Likes, comments, shares, saves
  • Follower Growth: New followers gained from UGC campaigns
  • Website Traffic: Clicks from UGC-based posts or embeds
  • Conversion Rate: Purchases influenced by UGC
  • Sentiment Analysis: Monitor audience reactions and tone

Regularly analyze these metrics to refine your strategy and identify what resonates best.

Conclusion

User-Generated Content is more than a marketing trend; it’s the foundation of community-driven growth. Sharing UGC on social media allows brands to showcase authenticity, strengthen relationships, and inspire action through real customer experiences.

By following the proper steps, collecting UGC, getting permission, crediting creators, customizing for each platform, and tracking results, you can turn your audience into your most powerful marketing team.

And with platforms like Taggbox, managing, curating, and sharing UGC becomes seamless and scalable.

So if you’re ready to amplify your brand’s social presence, it’s time to start sharing UGC the right way, with authenticity, creativity, and community at its core.