Becoming a well-paid content creator has never been easier than it is in 2025. If you’ve been wanting to crack the code on monetizing your content, there’s one arena you cannot afford to ignore: the UGC Industry. Whether you’re an aspiring creator or a seasoned content strategist, understanding where the UGC Industry stands in 2025 and into 2026 is key to leveraging your content, selling it to brands, and increasing your income.

The good news? You don’t have to guess your way through it. I’ve broken down the most important, data-backed insights based on research and current industry standards, so you can confidently pitch yourself to brands, price your services right, and create the kind of content that brands will pay handsomely for. Ready to dive in?

Here are 10 must-know statistics about the UGC Industry in 2025 that will help you position yourself so that you’re the go-to UGC creator for your favorite brands.

1. UGC Outperforms Branded Content

According to Billo, 93% of marketers say that UGC performs better than branded content. This emphasizes that the demand for authentic, relatable content has never been higher. Now more than ever, brands are prioritizing user-generated content because it connects in ways that overly produced influencer campaigns often can’t. It’s also why we see a shift in hiring nano and micro-influencers over mega-influencers.

As a creator, this is your chance to stand out by creating content that resonates. Think about this from the brand’s perspective–how can you create the kind of content that gives their audience a reason to purchase their products?

2. UGC As a Powerful Marketing Asset

Bazaarvoice claims that including UGC on e-commerce pages boosts conversions by 161%. Meaning UGC increases engagement and conversions for brands more than highly polished advertisements do. And it’s not just about sales. When brands see that your content can actually drive results, they’re far more likely to keep working with you—or even hire you on retainer.

With the rise of EGC (employee-generated content), brands are hiring more in-house content creators to create exclusively for their brand. Don’t mistake this for a social media management role. An EGC creator is exactly what it sounds like – a front-facing UGC creator who works for the brand’s social media accounts and marketing assets. UGC is a great way to get your foot in the door, but knowing how to create front-facing content is also an important part of the process.

3. Gen Z and Millennials are driving UGC demand.

Over 70% of Gen Z and 78% of Millennials rely on UGC to make purchase decisions. (Source: Business Wire) Considering that Millennials and Gen Z’ers make up the majority of social media users, this statistic makes perfect sense. That means your audience is actively looking for the kind of content that comes from everyday customers and product users. When pitching for UGC opportunities, you’ll want your portfolio to reflect the kind of content that will resonate well with these brands’ demographics.

4. UGC and Optimizing Ads

According to Shopify, UGC ads reduce cost-per-click by up to 50%. Brands love working with creators who help them save and make money—and UGC does exactly that. Social media has drastically changed the nature of traditional advertising and modern-day marketing. This means the days of spending thousands, if not millions on highly produced advertisements and celebrity-status ambassadors are quickly losing their luster. On Instagram, this means your relatable, real-life Reels and Stories can outperform even the most polished campaigns.

5. The UGC Industry is humanizing brand content.

According to inBeat, UGC is more trustworthy and memorable than traditional branded posts. On Instagram, that translates into more saves, shares, and meaningful engagement. That’s exactly what the algorithm loves. Showing real-life, everyday, happy customers adds personality and color to a brand’s social image, building authenticity and trust with more prospects and audiences like you. 

6. Visual UGC > Influencer Content

When it comes to cost-efficiency, visual UGC is 85% more cost-effective than influencer content (Source: Nosto). Visual UGC, meaning images and short-form video content. This distinction is important because UGC encompasses an array of content types, including blog posts. But that’s a major selling point when you’re pitching to brands. Make sure your portfolio and pitch include performance stats and case studies to show them how they can get more bang for their buck with your content.

7. UGC creators have pricing power.

UGC creators are earning between $50 to $1000 per video, depending on the content and platform. On Instagram, Reels can range from $50 to $500, while still images go for $25 to $200. (Sources: UGC Shop, Vidovo, Collabstr)

However, since pricing is subjective, those are just averages and examples from the platforms linked above. I teach my students in the UGC Mastercourse to price higher for a number of reasons. I also show them how to bundle services and add-ons to increase their overall pay. Positioning yourself as an expert and including strategic add-ons in your proposals, like exclusivity, usage rights, and paid amplification, can go a long way.

8. UGC Influences Purchasing Decisions

According to Tint, 93% of consumers say UGC is crucial to their purchasing decisions. At the end of the day, people trust people. That’s the magic of UGC. Whether it’s an unboxing video, a quick tutorial, or a relatable photo, showing a product in real life builds credibility that polished brand ads simply can’t replicate.

9. Email marketing and UGC

Most aspiring content creators make the mistake of thinking of UGC exclusively as a piece of content that lives on social media alone. In fact, UGC serves a wider purpose, stretching beyond paid social media ads all the way into email marketing. According to Billo, email marketing campaigns that include UGC have a 78% higher click-through rate.
When pitching for UGC opportunities, don’t be afraid to include other uses, including email marketing. Remind brands that your content can also enhance their email campaigns, landing pages, and ads—making your work even more valuable.

10. From Big Productions to Small Creators

Gone are the days of six-figure TV spots. Brands are leaning into micro-creators who create with smartphones, not studios. Why? Because it works. And you don’t need a massive following—you just need to create content that converts. According to Meta’s Reels Ads Webinar for brands, the conversation has clearly shifted to the efficacy of working with small creators. Not just because of their highly engaged audiences and authenticity, but because they’re able to save on production costs, while speeding up the production process. 

Let’s put it this way – if a brand is preparing for a summer campaign and they’d like to use a tropical location as their backdrop, instead of flying an entire team to Hawaii, they could hire a Hawaiian-based UGC creator for the campaign. 

Tips to Apply These UGC Industry Stats to Your Efforts

Now that you have this information, the next step is to apply it to your own process. Leveraging this information and using it to position yourself in a favorable spot could take your UGC career from difficult and trying to successful and thriving. Here are 4 quick tips to help you use this information in a way that accelerates your success:

• Optimize your Instagram bio and feed to highlight your UGC experience.
• Pitch brands with these stats included to position yourself as a smart investment.
• Offer value-packed packages that include UGC for Instagram and other platforms.
• Stay updated with UGC trends, especially around Instagram Reels, since that’s where brands are putting their budget.

Wrapping Up

The UGC Industry isn’t just booming—it’s evolving fast. Staying informed with data like this is how you become a creator brands trust and invest in. Keep learning, keep creating, and most importantly, keep positioning yourself as a professional. Because you are.

And if you’re ready to take your strategy to the next level, the UGC Mastercourse is here for you. It’s time to stop playing small and start positioning yourself as a top-tier UGC creator on Instagram.

The future of the UGC Industry is here—and it’s yours for the taking.