Introduction

User-Generated Content Statistics: User-generated content (UGC) is everywhere today. It includes things like social media posts, product reviews, videos, blogs, and photos made by regular people, not companies. The UGC has become a significant aspect of how people discover, share, and trust information online. Many brands also utilize it in their marketing because it appears more genuine and authentic. Statistics show that people often trust content made by other users more than traditional ads.

UGC not only helps increase engagement but also builds stronger relationships between customers and brands. From Instagram stories to YouTube reviews, user-made content is shaping how we shop, think, and connect online. In this article, we’ll look at key numbers and trends that show just how powerful and popular UGC has become.

In March 2024, the video platform YouTube reported around 32.5 billion visits from global users. Meta-owned Facebook.com reported around 16.1 billion visits from global users, as Instagram.com and Twitter.com followed, each with 7 billion and 6.1 billion visits from users worldwide during the examined month. Wikipedia.org, which hosts users-generated encyclopedic entries, recorded around 4.4 billion visits, while news aggregator and community platform Reddit.com saw approximately 2.2 billion visits during the examined period.

Twitch is an online video streaming service which allows eSports and gaming fans to watch their favorite gamers play a variety of online video games. In April 2025, the most popular streaming channel on Twitch in terms of hours watched was Caedrel — the channel had a combined 12 million hours watched in the preceding 30 days.

As of September 2024, the age group most receptive to user-generated content (UGC) worldwide were individuals aged 18 to 24. Eight in ten shoppers within this age bracket utilized UGC, a trend mirrored by consumers aged 25 to 34.

Introduction

UGC Statistics: UGC–aka user-generated content–is any content created by customers. As our social media feeds are increasingly crowded with marketing messages, UGC's authenticity allows brands to stand out with real stories from real people. As a result, UGC has gained notoriety in marketing circles.

But does it live up to the hype?

The answer is YES. UGC is more than a marketing buzzword. It’s a highly effective medium for creating trust and brand loyalty. It’s also a HUGE driver of sales, especially among younger audiences. And it doesn’t have to be super expensive to source.

If you’re looking for a way to increase the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns in 2025, you can’t ignore UGC. In this article, you’ll learn the statistics behind:

• What UGC is & why it’s so effective.
• How UGC compares to influencer marketing and more traditional forms of advertising.
• Market trends that drove the creation and acceptance of UGC.
• The ROI you can expect from UGC-driven campaigns.
• How to use UGC effectively for your brand in 2025, including best practices and legal considerations.

Let’s get to the UGC Statistics!

As of September 2024, the average star rating stood out as the predominant element of user-generated content (UGC) driving consumer purchasing decisions worldwide. Over 50 percent of consumers affirmed that they were swayed by rating reviews when making purchases.

User Generated Content Platform Market size was valued at USD 4.4 billion in 2022 and is poised to grow from USD 5.69 billion in 2023 to USD 34.59 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 29.4% during the forecast period (2023-2030).

In late 2023, four in five Gen Z consumers living in the United States considered user-generated videos to be a vital source of information when researching products to buy. In general, many consumers valued visual content from other shoppers. Where do Gen Z consumers discover new products? In the first quarter of 2023, the majority of Gen Z consumers began their shopping journeys online, either in online stores or on search engines. In addition to the internet, Gen Z consumers displayed a tendency to discover new products via celebrity endorsements and reviews by well-known individuals or expert bloggers. In other words, many Gen Z consumers discover new products online, as opposed to in person. Gen Z shopping preferences When surveyed, Gen Z shoppers around the world preferred to do most of their shopping online, as well. In an online environment, certain factors were more likely to increase the possibility of a purchase. User-generated content, for example, was important, as a post with lots of “likes” or good comments on social media would increase the likelihood of a purchase by about 22 percent.

The User-generated content (UGC) Platforms market has witnessed significant growth over the past decade, driven by the surge in social media usage and the increasing demand for authentic content. UGC refers to any form of content-be it text, images, videos, or reviews-created and shared by individuals rather than br

As of September 2024, the primary aspect sought by shoppers in user-generated content (UGC) was value for money. Over 50 percent of respondents prioritized this criterion, while roughly a quarter focused on brand values within UGC.

According to a survey conducted by Rakuten Insight in August 2023, 69 percent of respondents in Indonesia stated that they find product videos most interesting among other types of user-generated content. Product reviews or testimonials and social media post were also engaging among those surveyed.

According to a survey by Rakuten Insight on user-generated content (UGC) in India, product videos were the most engaged with user-generated content among 62 percent of consumers, followed by images of products in 2023. Social media posts were the third most engaged with during the survey period.

This statistic shows the percentage of individuals in selected European countries who used the internet to upload self-created content to any website to be shared in 2017. Uploading self-created content was most common in Iceland, with 68 percent of individuals using the internet in this way.

Introduction

Instagram Demographics Statistics: Instagram is a popular platform known for its eye-catching visuals and user-generated content. With over 2 billion monthly active users, it offers a lively and engaged community for brands and businesses of all sizes.

This includes important user demographics, trends in usage, advertising insights, and the rise of video content. Understanding this information can help you improve your brand’s social media strategy and connect better with Instagram’s diverse audience.

In the digital age, every minute counts as billions of users engage with online platforms worldwide. The year 2024 saw an astounding 251.1 million emails sent, 138.9 million Reels played on Facebook and Instagram, and 5.9 million Google searches conducted every 60 seconds. Social media's continued dominance Social media platforms remain at the forefront of online interactions, with Facebook leading the pack at over three billion monthly active users. The broader Meta ecosystem, including Instagram and WhatsApp, further solidifies its position in the digital landscape. TikTok, a relative newcomer, has rapidly gained traction, generating 186 million downloads in the fourth quarter of 2024 alone. Evolving digital consumption patterns While traditional streaming services like Netflix continue to dominate, with 362,962 hours streamed every minute, the digital media landscape is experiencing shifts in user preferences. Netflix recorded over 300 million paid subscribers worldwide as of the fourth quarter of 2024.

Obtaining information about products was the most popular user-generated content (UGC) in Taiwan. According to a survey conducted by Rakuten Insight in Taiwan in August 2023, the most popular UGC content among respondents were product reviews or testimonials, with 72 percent of approval rate. Images and videos of products were in-demand as well, each receiving over 50 percent of responses.

The Photo and Video Accessories market has increasingly become an essential segment of the imaging industry, driven by the rising demand for high-quality visual content across various platforms. With advancements in technology and a surge in user-generated content, this market plays a critical role in enhancing the

In 2023, interactions with visual user-generated content (UGC) exerted the most significant influence on conversion rates, revenue per visitor, and average order value. Notably, engagement with photo galleries on the site saw a staggering 190 percent increase in revenue per visitor. Reviews experienced the second-highest growth, closely trailed by shopper interactions with the Q&A section.

As per a 2023 survey by Rakuten Insight on user-generated content (UGC), 'beauty, health, and wellness' as well as electronics were the two leading product categories in India among 58 percent of UGC consumers, respectively. Home goods were the next most consumed category of UGC during the survey period.

According to a survey conducted by Rakuten Insight in August 2023, 66 percent of respondents in Indonesia stated that they engage with user-generated content because it helps them identify trending products. Other leading reasons include improving their purchasing confidence and finding those content more interesting than content created by brands.