The Explosion of UGC Content – How It’s Changing the Way Brands Communicate (Part 2)

In just a few years, UGC (User-Generated Content) has evolved from a social media phenomenon into a core pillar of digital marketing.

Both large and small brands now build their communication strategies around authentic content created by real people — not by studios.

To understand how authenticity has become the new currency of digital communication, you can also read our article “Important pillars for the brand's reputation in today's online environment!” where we explain how brands build real connections in an automated world:👉 https://www.miriodev.ro/en/post/important-pillars-for-the-brand-reputation

This second part of the “Global Digital Content Creation Market 2024–2030” series explores:

• what UGC is and how it works,

• why brands are massively investing in it,

• how it has transformed the brand–creator relationship,

• and how it is reshaping the entire content production model.

What Is UGC and Why Has It Exploded?

UGC stands for user-generated content: short videos, recorded reviews, testimonials, unboxings, or product demos created by real customers, influencers, or freelancers.

It’s authentic, naturally filmed content that builds trust — and performs significantly better in digital marketing campaigns.

Examples of UGC

• vertical videos on TikTok, Reels, or YouTube Shorts;

• real customer testimonials;

• quick product demonstrations;

• visual reviews or “before & after” clips.

UGC is widely used in e-commerce, advertising, and across all major social platforms.

The UGC Content Market in Europe (2024–2030)

Western and Central Europe are investing heavily in virtual content and UGC, with growth rates surpassing the global average.

Countries such as the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain have become key hubs for user-generated content production.

Country	2030 Market Estimate (USD million)	CAGR (2024–2030)	Dominant Segment
UK	955.2	26%	Games / 360° Photos
France	928.3	29.1%	Games / 360° Photos
Germany	1,173.3	25.5%	Games / 360° Photos
Italy	813.9	29%	Games / 360° Photos
Spain	682.8	29.3%	Games / 360° Photos

The rapid growth in Western Europe is fueled by the widespread adoption of short-form video, virtual tours, and 360° content.

CAGR stands for Compound Annual Growth Rate — a financial indicator reflecting the average annual growth rate of an investment over a defined period.

From Traditional Production to Fast Digital Production

The marketing and advertising industry is undergoing a historic transformation.Traditional productions — with large crews, studios, and high costs — are being replaced by fast, scalable digital content creation.

Through digital content creation, brands can:

• generate premium photo-video assets without a physical studio,

• reduce production costs by 50–80%,

• rapidly test creative concepts across different markets.

Market studies show that 78% of brands now prefer reusable, adaptable digital content that can be repurposed across multiple campaigns.

Why Does UGC Outperform Traditional Ads?

UGC is perceived as authentic and natural. Campaigns that rely on user-generated content achieve 2.4× higher conversion rates compared to traditional, studio-based ads.

Direct Benefits of UGC

• increases consumer trust in the brand;

• drives higher engagement on social media;

• lowers cost per conversion;

• can be produced quickly and at scale.

By combining UGC + AI, creators can generate professional visuals without expensive equipment — and work from anywhere in the world.

In the era of AI-assisted search, website authority and trust signals are becoming essential. If you want to understand how to build these signals, read our article:👉 “Why Website Authority and On-Page SEO Score Are Crucial for Online Success?” https://www.miriodev.ro/en/post/why-website-authority-and-on-page-seo-score-are-crucial-for-online-success

Impact on Social Commerce

Social commerce — direct selling via platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook — has grown rapidly. Visual content is now the primary currency of attention.

Through virtual content and UGC, brands can:

• test visual concepts before production,

• personalize ads by country and language,

• launch campaigns in hours, not weeks.

The result? Higher engagement and lower cost per conversion.

How the Brand–Creator Relationship Is Changing

The collaboration model has fundamentally shifted:

• In the past, brands paid influencers for exposure.

• Now, brands pay for content.

Creators have become digital content providers, not just promoters.Brands purchase content for their own campaigns: ads, websites, Amazon listings, banners, and more.

Modern brands expect:

• vertical content for Reels and TikTok;

• short, emotional videos;

• assets adapted to multiple platforms;

• fast delivery and consistent volume.

Conclusion – Part 2

UGC is no longer a trend — it’s a paradigm shift in digital communication.Authenticity, speed, and cost efficiency have replaced large, expensive productions.

Brands that adopt the UGC model today double their chances of conversion while reducing production costs.

Coming Up in Part 3

In a few days, we’ll explore Prices of digital content in 2025 , comparing global and regional pricing for:

• UGC,

• written content and articles,

• social media management,

• and video production.

If you missed the first part of the “Global Digital Content Creation Market 2024–2030” series, you can read it here in English:👉 “The Global Digital Content Creation Market: Trends and Growth (Part 1)”https://www.miriodev.ro/en/post/global-digital-content-creation-market-2024-2030