Introduction: UGC Is the New Shopify Gold

In a dynamic shift that is transforming ecommerce marketing strategies, a new survey reveals that 72% of Shopify stores now use UGC creators to power their brand presence and sales funnels. The finding, part of a wider study on ecommerce trends, underscores how Shopify UGC marketing has moved from an experimental tactic to a mainstream growth strategy. With digital consumers craving authenticity, the Shopify user-generated content strategy has become the core engine of customer trust, product discovery, and community-led sales.

More than just a trend, the fact that 72% of Shopify stores now use UGC creators reflects a fundamental evolution in how ecommerce businesses operate. Brands are no longer just selling; they are inviting real people to tell their stories.

1. What Is UGC and Why Shopify Brands Are Betting Big on It

Understanding UGC for Ecommerce

User-Generated Content (UGC) refers to images, videos, reviews, testimonials, and any form of content created by real customers or influencers, not the brand itself. Shopify marketing with UGC allows store owners to show rather than tell. Real customers become real advocates.

Shopify + UGC = Performance

The Shopify user-generated content strategy focuses on three key benefits:

• Trust: 84% of consumers say they trust peer content more than brand ads (Source: Nielsen).
• Conversions: UGC improves ecommerce conversions by up to 29%.
• Cost Efficiency: Hiring micro-UGC creators is more affordable than traditional shoots.

2. Survey Methodology: How We Know 72% of Shopify Stores Use UGC Creators

A collaborative research study conducted in early 2025 surveyed over 1,200 Shopify store owners across 11 countries, including India, the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. The key metric was adoption rate of UGC creators (defined as creators producing user-first content for digital campaigns).

• 72% of surveyed Shopify stores reported working with UGC creators
• 89% of those stores said UGC improved ad performance
• 61% allocated more than 25% of their content budget to UGC in 2025

3. Top Categories Leveraging UGC on Shopify

Certain niches have embraced UGC more aggressively due to its visual-first appeal and customer-centric nature:

A. Beauty and Skincare

• Before/after videos, testimonials, and unboxing reels dominate.
• Influencer marketing India is booming with regional creators showcasing real-time product usage.
• Platforms like Instagram and TikTok drive visual UGC for product virality.

B. Fashion and Apparel

• Try-on hauls, UGC videos, and lookbook reels are driving UGC content for ecommerce brands.
• Leverages customer photos, outfit styling videos, and try-on hauls.
• Boosts social proof and encourages community-driven brand identity.

C. Health & Wellness

• Product usage tips, wellness journeys, and “day in the life” videos work wonders.
• Uses testimonial videos and wellness journey stories from real users.
• Helps new brands educate and emotionally connect with niche audiences.

D. Food & Beverage

• Recipes, cooking tips, and reactions help sell visually and viscerally.
• UGC helps showcase versatility and everyday integration of products.
• Highly visual and shareable content boosts reach and engagement.

4. Shopify Marketing Tools 2025: What’s Fueling the UGC Boom

Several tools and features launched or updated in Shopify’s 2025 ecosystem are designed to support UGC:

Amplify Your Brand,
One Influence at a Time.

Connect with an Expert

• Shopify Collabs: Direct UGC creator collaboration hub.
• Shopify Video Templates: Pre-designed formats for UGC integration.
• Hobo.Video Integration: The best influencer platform for plug-and-play UGC sourcing.

Brands using platforms like Hobo.Video report up to 3x faster campaign deployment with higher ROI.

5. How to Implement a Shopify User-Generated Content Strategy

Setting up a Shopify UGC marketing strategy doesn’t require a million-dollar budget. Here’s a simple process:

Step-by-Step:

1. Define Your Goals: Product sales, brand awareness, or community?
2. Choose UGC Creators: Find relatable influencers (not just famous Instagram influencers).
3. Use the Right Platform: Tools like Hobo.Video simplify outreach and content approval.
4. Repurpose Everywhere: Use UGC in ads, product pages, emails, and reels.

6. Why UGC Creators Beat Traditional Ads in 2025

• Authenticity Sells: AI influencer marketing is growing, but customers still crave a human face.
• Lower CPAs: Cost-per-acquisition through UGC drops by 28% compared to static ads.
• Faster Turnaround: Many creators now deliver UGC within 72 hours.

7. Influencer Marketing vs UGC: Which Is Better for Shopify Brands?

7.1. Influencer Marketing Pros:

• Wider reach
• Trend-driven virality

7.2. UGC Creator Pros:

• Higher trust and conversions
• Scalable and more authentic

Smart brands combine both—UGC videos made by influencers.

8. Shopify UGC Trends 2025: What’s Changing

• Rise of Micro UGC Creators: Brands prefer creators with <10K followers for relatability.
• Video Dominance: 91% of UGC creators focus on short-form video in 2025.
• Regional Storytelling: Shopify stores in India increasingly use regional language creators.

9. Where to Find UGC Creators for Shopify Marketing

Top Sources:

• Hobo.Video: India’s top influencer marketing company with AI UGC features.
• Collab Platforms: Shopify Collabs, Tribe, or Upfluence.
• Instagram and YouTube: DM creators directly based on content niche.

10. The Whole Truth About UGC: Is It Worth the Hype?

Yes—and the data agrees:

• 300% Higher Engagement: UGC sees triple the engagement vs branded content.
• 4x Ad ROI: Return on ad spend is 4x higher when UGC is in the mix.
• 60% Higher Cart Adds: UGC on product pages boosts buyer confidence significantly.

11. What Hobo.Video Offers Shopify Brands

Hobo.Video stands out as a top influencer marketing company focused on Shopify UGC success. Here’s what they bring:

• AI UGC Campaign Builder
• Access to top influencers in India
• End-to-end campaign tracking and analytics
• UGC Videos with integrated product placements

12. How to Become an Influencer or UGC Creator in 2025

If you’re wondering how to become an influencer or UGC creator this year, here’s your action plan:

1. Pick a niche: Fashion, health, beauty, food.
2. Start posting consistently.
3. Tag brands and use trending sounds.
4. Sign up on the best influencer platform like Hobo.Video.
5. Deliver real, value-driven content.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways

• 72% of Shopify stores now use UGC creators to fuel growth.
• Beauty, fashion, and wellness dominate UGC usage.
• Shopify UGC marketing leads to higher trust and lower acquisition costs.
• Platforms like Hobo.Video simplify creator collaboration and campaign tracking.
• UGC is not a trend—it’s the new ecommerce standard.

Join the UGC Revolution with Hobo.Video

If you’re a brand aiming to convert better or a creator wanting to monetize content, now’s the time. 72% of Shopify stores now use UGC creators because it works. You should too.

→ Join Hobo.Video today and take your Shopify store to the next level.

About Hobo.Video

Hobo.Video is India’s leading AI-powered influencer marketing and UGC company. With over 2.25 million creators, it offers end-to-end campaign management designed for brand growth. The platform combines AI and human strategy for maximum ROI.

Services include:

• Influencer marketing
• UGC content creation
• Celebrity endorsements
• Product feedback and testing
• Marketplace and seller reputation management
• Regional and niche influencer campaigns

Trusted by top brands like Himalaya, Wipro, Symphony, Baidyanath and the Good Glamm Group.

I found a platform that actually values creators — and you should too. Join in.
Growth isn’t magic—it’s strategy, creativity, and the right people. If you’re serious about scaling, reach out to us now.