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8 min. read
Top 10 UGC Video Examples [Creative Ads That Convert]
Yuval Strutti
When was the last time you actually watched a polished ad all the way through? Most people scroll right past. User-generated content wins because it feels like something made by a friend, not a brand. Brands that use UGC see engagement climb by 50% compared to traditional ads.
In this piece, we’ll look at X UGC video examples that actually convert, why they work, and what you can borrow for your own campaigns.
Key Takeaways
UGC video examples consistently deliver higher engagement and conversions than polished brand ads.
Formats that work best include tutorials, product reviews, unboxings, transformations, lifestyle clips, and story-driven content.
Short, vertical videos filmed in everyday settings perform better than long or overly produced campaigns.
Authentic reactions and unscripted feedback build stronger trust with audiences.
Brands can now scale UGC ads more quickly and cost-effectively with tools like Solara AI.
What is UGC Video Content?
UGC is short for user-generated content, and it means content created by everyday users or customers, not the brand’s marketing team. These are videos where people talk about using a product, share a review, or show how they style something in real life. Brands often repost these clips to their own social channels or run them as ads.
UGC can be organic, when customers share on their own, or it can be commissioned from creators who specialize in making content that feels native to TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube Shorts. The goal is for it to blend into feeds instead of looking like an obvious advertisement.
Why UGC Videos Work
People tend to trust other people more than they trust brands. UGC carries that trust into marketing.
Here is what the data shows:
Ads built with UGC often see four times higher click-through rates and about half the cost per click compared to traditional ads.
Campaigns that use UGC can increase conversion rates by 29%.
79% of people say UGC strongly influences their purchase decisions
74% of consumers trust word-of-mouth recommendations from others over brands
Brands that add UGC into retargeting ads have reported higher click-through rates and lower acquisition costs
When you combine trust, relatability, and proof in a video made by someone outside the brand, you get content that feels natural. That is why UGC videos tend to earn more views, clicks, and conversions.
Top 10 UGC Video Examples to Inspire You
Tutorials and How-Tos
Tutorials are the most direct form of UGC. They show a product in action, step by step, in under a minute. Instead of a brand demo with studio lights, tutorials usually look like someone filming on their phone while walking viewers through a quick tip or routine.
Example: Glossier
Glossier Makeup Tutorial with New Shadow Sticks | TikTok
Glossier’s growth came from real customers filming their morning or evening routines. A creator might show how to apply a moisturizer, then layer in a serum, while casually talking about texture and results. The clips feel natural, and because they’re shot in bedrooms or bathrooms, they match the way friends share beauty tips.
Tutorials work best when they’re simple. Focus on one benefit, keep the video short, and let the creator’s own language carry the message.
Product Reviews and Testimonials
Nothing sells like hearing from someone who already owns the product. A quick review on video feels real in a way polished ads never do. People want to know how it fits, how it feels, and if it’s worth the money.
Example: Gymshark
Gymshark Women's Fitness Apparel Review | TikTok
Gymshark became a global name by turning customer reviews into ads. Most are simple clips filmed in bedrooms or gyms. Someone holds the camera, shows how the leggings stretch, and says if they’re comfortable during a workout. That kind of honesty travels fast and builds trust with people seeing the brand for the first time.
Unboxing Videos
Unboxing works because it appeals to curiosity. People want to see what comes inside the box, how it’s packaged, and what the first impression feels like. The process itself builds anticipation.
Example: Apple
Apple doesn’t need to produce unboxing videos. Fans do it for them. Every iPhone release sparks a flood of clips showing the box being opened, the design revealed, and the first power-on. Those videos rack up millions of views and double as free advertising.
Before-and-After Transformations
Nothing pulls people in like seeing a clear change. A before-and-after clip works because it tells the whole story without words. You see the problem, then the result, and your brain fills in the rest.
Example: Curology
Curology has used this format again and again. Customers film their skin on day one, then record another clip a few weeks later. The cuts are simple, the lighting is natural, and the difference is obvious. That proof carries more weight than any polished brand ad.
Lifestyle and Day-in-the-Life Clips
Lifestyle videos show how a product fits into everyday routines. Instead of a direct pitch, they blend into the kind of content people already watch, like morning routines, workout recaps, or daily vlogs. The product becomes part of the story rather than the focus.
Example: GoPro
A Day in the Life with GoPro | Jezza's Adventure | TikTok
GoPro is one of the best at this. Its feed is packed with clips from creators filming their hikes, rides, or surf sessions. The camera isn’t the subject; the adventure is. But by watching the video, you see exactly what the product can do and why people love it.
Reaction Videos
Reaction clips work because they capture emotion in real time. Viewers see surprise, excitement, or satisfaction without needing a long explanation. The honesty of the first response is what makes these videos convincing.
Example: Chipotle
Chipotle Burrito: Comments and Reactions Unpacked | TikTok
Chipotle has leaned on customer reactions to new menu items. A creator films themselves trying a burrito or a quesadilla for the first time, and the camera catches their expression right away. The format feels unfiltered, which is exactly why it spreads fast on TikTok. People trust those first bites more than a polished ad.
Challenge or Trend Participation
Challenges and trends give brands a way to join the conversations people are already having. When creators use a trending sound or format, the content feels native to the platform and has a higher chance of being shared.
Example: Guess
Had a fun day #inmydenim ✨👖✨ @guess #style #OOTD | TikTok
When TikTok launched its early hashtag challenges, Guess jumped in with the #InMyDenim campaign. Creators filmed themselves transforming everyday outfits into denim looks, set to a trending track. The campaign went viral, with thousands of UGC clips flooding the feed. The brand gained exposure far beyond what a traditional ad buy could deliver.
Comparison Videos
Shoppers want to know if your product is better than what they already use. Comparison clips give them a direct answer. The format is simple: put two options side by side and let the results speak for themselves.
Example: Dyson
Insẽ vs Dyson: The Ultimate Vacuum Showdown | TikTok
On TikTok, creators often pit a Dyson vacuum against a cheaper alternative. They’ll clean the same patch of carpet twice, showing how much more dust or pet hair the Dyson picks up. The video doesn’t need slick editing because the proof is right there in front of the viewer. That raw demonstration has helped Dyson dominate social feeds and reinforce its premium image.
Behind-the-Scenes Content
Behind-the-scenes clips give people a peek into the process. That access makes them feel closer to the brand and more invested in the product. It might be as simple as showing how an order is packed, how a meal is prepared, or how a creator sets up their camera before filming.
Example: Starbucks
Starbucks Matcha Latte Menu Guide | TikTok
Starbucks has seen millions of views from baristas filming drinks being made. A worker pours the syrups, shakes the cup, and finishes with a drizzle on top. The video is short, but it feels intimate, like the viewer is standing at the counter watching their own drink come together. This kind of content turns a routine order into an experience people want to share.
Storytime Clips
Storytime videos are less about showing the product and more about sharing a personal moment that connects to it. They pull people in with narrative. A creator talks straight to the camera, often in a casual setting, and walks through a short story that ends with the product naturally woven in.
Example: Airbnb
5 Star Airbnb Guests: A Positive Experience | TikTok
Plenty of Airbnb hosts and guests have filmed storytime-style clips about their stays. A guest might describe arriving late at night, being greeted by a kind host, and waking up to a view they didn’t expect. The storytelling feels like chatting with a friend, and the product, Airbnb, comes across as part of the experience rather than the focus of the pitch.
Trends Across the Best UGC Videos
After looking at these examples, some common threads stand out. These patterns show up across different industries and platforms, which makes them useful benchmarks for anyone planning UGC campaigns.
These elements make UGC stand out from traditional branded content. They lean on trust, relatability, and quick impact rather than heavy editing or scripted messaging.
Tips For Creating High-Converting UGC Videos
The best UGC feels natural, but that doesn’t mean it happens by accident. To position yourself to succeed, you can provide creators with clear guidelines and concentrate on a few fundamentals.
Make it short: The majority of high-converting UGC videos are between 15 and 30 seconds. Just long enough to be valuable, just short enough to be remembered.
Film vertically: Phones are the default. A vertical frame fills the screen and feels native to TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts.
Use real voices: Scripts kill authenticity. Let people describe the product in their own words, even if it sounds casual or unpolished. That tone is exactly what makes it believable.
Prioritize natural settings: A bathroom mirror, a kitchen counter, or a gym locker room all feel more relatable than a studio. Everyday backdrops help viewers imagine themselves using the product.
Show the product in action: Don’t just hold it up. Apply the skincare, cook with the pan, and wear the sneakers. Action speaks louder than claims.
Test different formats: Tutorials, reviews, unboxings, reactions, each style can hit differently with your audience. Try multiple formats and double down on what gets traction.
Encourage honesty: The best UGC often includes small imperfections. A laugh, a stumble in words, or an unscripted reaction can make the clip feel more real than a perfect take.
Meet Solara AI: The Easiest Way to Create UGC That Sells
UGC ads drive conversions, but creating them at scale is hard. Most teams spend hours chasing creators, reviewing edits, and figuring out the best time to post.
Solara AI takes that work off your plate. It’s an AI marketing agency that acts like a full marketing team inside one platform. Instead of juggling tools, you get UGC video examples, paid campaigns, and audience engagement all in one place.
Here is what Solara does:
Learns your brand voice and product details so every video feels authentic
Creates short-form clips that match the style people already watch in their feeds
Runs ad campaigns around the clock, shifting spend to what performs best
Schedules posts for the right time without extra setup
Responds to comments and DMs so potential buyers feel heard
The result is content that feels organic but is built to sell. Brands can launch UGC ads quickly, keep their feed active, and focus on growth instead of production headaches.
Do you want to see how simple it can be to turn your products into high-converting UGC videos?
Try Solara free today and start creating content that works.
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