Have you ever seen advertisements that appear like UGC (user-generated content) on TikTok or other social media platforms?
UGC-style videos are an effective way to communicate brand appeal because they give viewers an impression of high credibility.
However, many companies attempt to replicate other brands’ UGC-based advertising only to find that user reactions are lukewarm and results fall short of initial expectations. Other organizations struggle with things such as how to get users to create content voluntarily or how to make effective use of that content once it’s produced.
In this article, we explain how to incorporate UGC-style videos into a company’s marketing strategy. By leveraging UGC-style videos, your brand can gain consumer trust and significantly increase its visibility.
For more tactical examples, see our article “What Is a Hashtag Challenge? Successful Campaign Examples for Generating UGC on TikTok.”
Our “TikTok Anime Operation Guide” introduces how to use animated videos when operating a TikTok account. In a space where most posts are live-action, animated content stands out easily, works well with brand characters, and doesn’t require showing faces. When using TikTok for corporate promotion, be sure to download our free materials available on the “Free Resource Download Page.”
Understand the benefits and effects of UGC-style videos used in TikTok ads
Learn how to select and distribute successful UGC videos
Get ideas for generating UGC within your audience
Understand common mistakes and how to avoid them when using UGC videos
Contents
How can UGC-style videos be used on TikTok?
Effects of using UGC-style videos in TikTok advertising
Why videos made to “look like UGC” are used
Criteria for selecting the best UGC videos for TikTok ads
How to create mechanisms that generate natural UGC on TikTok
Five NG (bad) patterns of UGC-style videos used in ads
Types of UGC-style video patterns in TikTok advertising
Summary
How are UGC-style videos used on TikTok?
When leveraging the impact of UGC, companies should focus on communicating product appeal from the customer’s point of view. Here are examples of use cases:
Showcasing reliable reviews
UGC shows real users actually using products and services, presenting authentic impressions. This realness builds credibility beyond the seller-driven promotional messages companies normally send.
Research company Nielsen states:
“92% of consumers worldwide trust earned media such as word-of-mouth and recommendations from friends and family over all other forms of advertising.”
Source: Nielsen – Global Trust in Advertising and Brand Messages
Therefore, using UGC in your own posts is crucial for creating persuasive messaging.
Creative assets in advertising
UGC videos are highly effective in ad campaigns. By incorporating user-generated content into TikTok ads, you can introduce products and services in a natural and relatable way.
For example, distributing UGC videos as TikTok ads allows viewers to consume them without feeling like they’re watching a traditional advertisement—while still exposing them to credible, passionate reviews.
Retargeting ads that reach users already familiar with your brand can also be very effective.
For influencer collaborations
Collaborating with influencers to produce UGC-style content is also a powerful strategy.
Influencers can introduce your product to their followers, while you can also repurpose the content to reach new audiences. You may additionally ask influencers to encourage their followers to create UGC as well.
The Effects of using UGC-style videos in TikTok ads
1. Increases message credibility through third-party voices
UGC videos enable real users to speak on behalf of your product, making it easier for viewers to interpret information as useful and trustworthy.
2. Increases engagement through appealing and valuable content
TikTok users enjoy discovering new things and are generally less resistant to ads. However, aggressive promotional messaging risks being blocked. UGC content focused on real user outcomes encourages positive engagement such as comments and remixes.
3. Higher reach due to alignment with algorithm priorities
Because UGC tends to drive reactions and retention, the TikTok algorithm prioritizes it and spreads it more widely.
Why videos are made in UGC style
UGC-style videos include:
Content based on actual user posts (with permission)
Content designed to mimic natural user reviews created by companies themselves
Since these videos come from the brand, they are technically not true UGC—hence the term “UGC-style”.
Additionally, due to past controversy around stealth marketing, audiences now prefer transparent ads where intent is clearly shown.
Why create UGC-style instead of using real UGC?
Because:
Permission must be obtained to use user content
Permission may not be possible or may take too long
UGC-style videos allow brands to utilize the benefits of UGC while avoiding complications—but they must still be based on genuine insight and real sentiment.
Selecting the best UGC videos for TikTok ads
When choosing UGC for distribution, consider the following:
Choose highly engaging content
Choose videos reflecting real user experiences
Choose videos aligned with brand messaging
Choose videos with well-made visuals and audio
Choose videos with strong storytelling
Choose content that is easy to share
(Each criterion explanation preserved if needed—just say if you want a condensed version.)
Creating mechanisms that generate natural UGC on TikTok
To promote voluntary content creation, companies should deepen interaction with users. Ideas include:
Hosting challenges or contests
Providing incentives for posts
Offering brand experiences via events
Running collaboration projects
Strengthening communication with users
Specifying themes or formats to make posting easier
Five types of UGC-style videos to avoid
Over-edited videos
Inconsistent content
Content irrelevant to viewers
Excessive sales push
Using content without permission
Typical UGC-style patterns for TikTok Ads
UGC-style reviews
Creator-produced content
Short drama storytelling
Static image slideshow
Animated (character-based) videos
Summary: Using UGC-style videos in TikTok ads
UGC-style videos improve credibility, strengthen engagement, and enhance reach within the TikTok algorithm.
Rather than just producing videos, marketers should plan strategically based on user psychology and behavior.
Vertical short-form video works best when it feels entertaining rather than promotional.
Marketing Perspective in Japan: Beyond Just Creation
NOKID provides creative planning and production for PR using characters, events, and video content. Effective videos balance business and creative perspectives, e.g., short clips optimized for TikTok, designed to capture attention in the first 2–3 seconds.
For first-time animation or PR-focused content, feel free to consult with us.
Tokuma Kanna
Founder and CEO of NOKID Inc., a premier creative studio specializing in short-form animation and graphic design. With a focus on narrative-driven visual storytelling, he has spearheaded high-profile projects across the global entertainment landscape. His portfolio includes the acclaimed VALORANT: YORU TYPICAL DAYS cinematic, the Hatsune Miku x Seven Premium 15th Anniversary campaign, and Koda Kumi’s music video "100 no Kotoba-tachi e." As a leading producer in the PV and MV sectors, Tokuma continues to redefine the intersection of animation and contemporary digital media.
