User-generated content (UGC) is growing exponentially, so my take on why you should invest in a UGC? And what is AIUGC? 

Let’s start with some stats.

“With influencer content reaching saturation, our feeds across platforms are becoming increasingly dominated with #paid content and affiliate marketing links. While influencers were once trusted and reliable sources of information, consumers are tired of seeing a sea of sponsored content and are turning elsewhere. In fact, nearly 90% of consumers no longer trust influencers and are turning to UGC instead.” Sarah Yim, Strategy Director, Zulu Alpha Kilo (Social Media Marketing Trends 2024)

So why UGC is soo important! Let’s break it down… it has so many benefits for brands to embrace UGC: 

1. Emotional Connection with Pets

As pet owners, we cherish the bond we share with our pets. When we post photos or videos of our furry friends using products we trust, it strengthens the emotional connection with the brand. It’s like sharing a part of our family, and this makes us more loyal to brands that truly care about our pets.

2. Visual Proof of Product Use

Seeing other pet parents share photos of their pets happily playing with toys or enjoying their food gives us peace of mind. It’s reassuring to know that a product works for others and is safe for our pets, making it easier to choose the right products.

3. Building a Community of Pet Lovers

As pet lovers, we enjoy being part of a larger community. When brands encourage us to share stories or pictures of our pets, it creates a fun and engaging space where we can connect with others who share our love for pets.

Building a key community is key!

4. Supports Personalized Marketing

When a brand shows pets with unique needs, like special diets or different breeds, it feels more personal. Seeing a product that matches our pet’s needs makes us feel like it’s been designed just for them!

5. Influences Pet Product Recommendations

Let’s face it—when other pet owners recommend a product, we listen! Reviews and posts from people who really understand what it’s like to take care of a pet like ours help us feel confident that we’re making the right choice! 

6. UGC for Niche Products
If your pet has specific needs—like hypoallergenic food or a bed for an older dog—it’s great to see content from pet owners who have the same challenges. It shows us that these specialized products can make a real difference for our pets.

7. Showcasing Positive Pet Experiences
There’s nothing better than seeing happy pets enjoying new toys, treats, or accessories. It makes us feel good knowing that we’re providing a positive experience for our pets too, and we love being part of that joy by sharing our own stories!

8. Increased Social Sharing
We love sharing adorable photos and stories of their pets, especially when they’re trying out new products. When brands encourage this, it’s a great way for us to spread the love—and give our pets a little extra fame! 

9. Promotes Trust in Safety and Quality

10. SEO purposes
Nothing beats real content created by your community. Unique content will get more picked by search engines too! 
Use AI to analyze Google SERPs for each keyword to understand search intent and inform your content strategy.

Ok now what is the rise of AIUGC?

Thanks to generative AI tools, in 2024 we’ll see UGC super-charged.

ChatGPTs, Midjourneys, and DALL-Es are becoming familiar to more and more people. A UK study found that 31% of the adult population used gen-AI tools. But here’s the real catch. When it comes to 16- to 24-year-olds, the figure jumps to 74%.

What’s particularly exciting is how brands and creators will use AI to deepen engagement with their audiences. By offering tools that allow fans to experiment and participate in storytelling, AI will open up new opportunities for interactive and collaborative experiences, fostering stronger connections between creators and their communities.

Conclusion

UGC is a treasure trove – it’s genuine, speaks directly to fellow pet owners, and gives real insights into how pets and their humans feel about the products. It’s a strategy that not only boosts trust in the brand but also creates a stronger bond with our pet-loving community.

We love the following templates:

Amplitude 
They just released their user-generated template gallery, offering a sneak peek into various charts for operators to create and track their metrics.
A true gem, definitely worth a look: https://amplitude.com/templates 

Figma’s community plug-ins and libraries: 
https://www.figma.com/community

Miroverse by Miro : https://miro.com/miroverse

Notion‘s User Template Gallery: https://www.notion.so/templates