Why UGC Outperforms Ads During the Holidays And How Brands Can Leverage It Fast
The holiday season is the most competitive time of year for brands ad costs skyrocket, customer attention shrinks, and every brand is fighting for a single moment of consumer trust. While traditional ads still have their place, shoppers increasingly ignore polished brand content in favor of something more relatable: User-Generated Content (UGC).
In 2025, UGC isn’t just “nice to have” it’s one of the highest-converting assets you can use during the holidays. Here’s why UGC outperforms ads this season and how your brand can leverage it fast (even if you’re tight on time).
Why UGC Outperforms Ads During the Holidays
1. UGC Feels More Trustworthy Than Traditional Ads
Consumers drown in holiday promotions, but they still trust real people showing real results.
UGC taps into social proof it feels honest, unscripted, and authentic. When a creator films a quick unboxing or shares a genuine reaction, shoppers pay attention.
Bottom line: UGC cuts through the noise because it feels human, not corporate.
2. Ad Costs Surge — UGC Cuts Your Spend
CPMs and CPCs increase dramatically during Q4. Brands end up paying more just to stay visible.
Instead of blowing your budget on high-cost ads, you can repurpose UGC as whitelisted ads or organic content that performs better than polished creatives at a fraction of the cost.
UGC = lower production cost + higher conversions.
3. UGC Boosts Conversions Because It Shows the Product in Real Life
Holiday shoppers want proof “Will this actually look like this? Will it be a good gift? Does it work?”
UGC answers these questions instantly.
Creators show sizing, texture, quality, packaging, and real-life use cases, making your product feel gift-ready.
This level of relatability drives more add-to-carts than studio shots ever could.
4. UGC Performs Exceptionally Well on TikTok, Instagram Reels & Shorts
Short-form video is dominating holiday buying behavior.
What thrives in short-form? UGC.
Creator-led videos blend seamlessly into the feed, making them feel like recommendations from friends not ads.
This leads to:
Higher watch time
Higher engagement
Higher click-through rates
More impulsive buying moments
5. Consumers Want Personalized Shopping Experiences
A single polished ad can’t speak to every shopper.
But with UGC, you can collect multiple styles of content that speak to different audiences:
A mom reviewing the product for families
A Gen Z creator doing an aesthetic unboxing
A skincare pro breaking down ingredients
A lifestyle creator using it in a holiday routine
More angles = more conversions.
How Brands Can Leverage UGC Fast for the Holiday Rush
Even if you’re starting late, you can build a powerful holiday UGC strategy in days not weeks.
1. Activate Micro-Creators Immediately
Micro-creators (1k–50k followers) deliver:
Fast turnaround
Affordable rates
Highly authentic content
Loyal niche audiences
They’re ideal for quick holiday campaigns.
Tip: Focus on creators already buying or mentioning your brand they convert fastest.
2. Request Specific Holiday-Themed UGC
Tell creators exactly what you need so content is ready to post before peak shopping days.
Examples:
Unboxing with holiday music
“Gift idea for…” format
Before/after using the product
Holiday morning routines
Why it makes the perfect stocking stuffer
Give them a theme, then let their creativity bring it to life.
3. Repurpose UGC Everywhere
Once you secure the rights, use it across all touchpoints:
Paid ads (TikTok, Meta, Pinterest)
Organic social
Website landing pages
Email campaigns
Amazon storefront and A+ content
Holiday gift guides
The more places you use UGC, the faster you build trust.
4. Whitelist the Best Creators for Paid Ads
Whitelisting gives you the highest-performing combination:
A creator’s face
Your brand messaging
Their audience trust
Your ad targeting power
Whitelisted UGC almost always outperforms standard ads.
5. Use UGC to Support Holiday Offers
Pair your sale with strong creator visuals like:
“Run, don’t walk — they’re 30% off today!”
“This is your sign to grab it before it sells out.”
“Here’s what I’m gifting everyone this year…”
This creates urgency and authenticity.
Final Thoughts: UGC Wins the Holidays
Holiday shoppers crave realness. They want to see your product in real hands, real homes, and real routines. That’s exactly why UGC consistently outperforms traditional ads and why it should be a central part of your holiday marketing strategy.
If your brand wants:
✔️ Higher trust
✔️ Lower ad spend
✔️ More conversions
✔️ Faster production
UGC is your shortcut to standing out in the busiest season of the year.
