Key Takeaways
UGC is trust on display. Nothing builds credibility faster than real customers showing real results.
Don’t bury your best content. Surface UGC near the “Add to Cart” button, not buried at the bottom.
Apps matter. Tools like Loox, Okendo, and Taggbox make UGC collection and display effortless.
Ask intentionally. The best UGC comes from good timing, the right prompt, and a little incentive.
It’s not a campaign — it’s a system. Build UGC into your post-purchase flow and marketing engine.
What Is Shopify UGC? (User-Generated Content Explained)
UGC — or user-generated content — is exactly what it sounds like: photos, videos, reviews, unboxings, and other content created by your customers, not your marketing team.
Think selfies with your product, TikToks showing how it works, or a raving review with photos attached.
On Shopify, UGC usually shows up in a few key places:
Product page photo galleries
Video review carousels
Testimonials and star ratings
Instagram feeds
Pop-ups showing real purchases (“Anna just bought this from NYC!”)
And buyers believe it. Because unlike polished ads, UGC feels real. It’s messy. It’s emotional. It’s unfiltered (well… mostly). And it screams, “Someone like me tried this — and liked it.”
Why UGC Is a Shopify Conversion Booster
A good UGC setup does 3 things for your store:
Builds trust instantlyPolished photography says “professional”. UGC says “proven”. That’s the difference between a maybe and a sale.
Shortens the path to purchaseWhen people see someone who looks like them using your product, it removes the mental friction: “Will this look good on me?” “Is it worth the price?” UGC answers that without words.
Feeds your marketing machineThat customer video? It’s now a Facebook ad. That selfie? A homepage hero image. UGC isn’t just conversion fuel — it’s a content goldmine.
💡Pro tip: Want better ROAS? Run paid ads using real customer content. Social platforms favour it. So do your customers.
The Best Ways to Add UGC to Shopify Product Pages
Let’s get tactical. Here are the highest-performing placements for UGC on Shopify:
| Placement | Why It Works | Best Content Type |
|---|---|---|
| Under the product gallery | Shows real people using the product right next to your own images | Photos, selfies |
| Below the product description | Adds trust and context where decision-making happens | Text reviews + photos |
| In a collapsible FAQ or tab | Gives social proof without cluttering the page | Short testimonials |
| Sticky sidebars or floating bars | Reinforces urgency + trust as user scrolls | Purchase popups, reviews |
| Post-cart or thank-you page | Reinforces brand experience after the sale | Review requests, UGC ask |
💡Pro tip: Avoid dumping UGC at the bottom of the page. Surface it early and often — especially near price, variant selectors, and "Add to Cart".
How to Add User-Generated Content to Shopify (Step-by-Step Tutorial)
If you’re imagining a long day of coding, stop. Shopify makes UGC integration surprisingly easy — especially with the right tools.
Here’s a basic step-by-step using apps (no dev skills required):
Step 1: Choose your UGC type
Decide what you’re showcasing: reviews with images? Instagram posts? Customer videos? Pick based on your product and audience.
Step 2: Install a UGC app (see next section)
Apps like Loox or Okendo make it easy to collect, curate, and display UGC with a few clicks. Most include widgets and drag‑and‑drop sections.
Step 3: Set up display widgets
Most UGC apps will offer embeddable widgets. You can:
Add a photo carousel to your product page
Replace standard review sections with photo-first layouts
Insert social media galleries
Step 4: Moderate content
Always review before publishing. UGC is raw (which is its strength), but that doesn’t mean you want 14 blurry selfies and one guy holding the product upside down.
Step 5: A/B test placement
Try your UGC gallery above the fold vs below reviews. Watch what drives more clicks. Placement matters more than people think.
💡Pro tip: Start small. One photo carousel and a few top-rated reviews with pictures can transform a stale product page.
Best Shopify UGC Apps (Reviewed)
What works for a dropshipping store won’t cut it for a high-growth DTC brand. Here’s a breakdown of apps we’ve tested, reviewed, or helped clients implement across real Shopify stores.
| App | Best For | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Loox | Photo-first product reviews | Email review requests, photo carousels, Google Shopping sync |
| Okendo | Brands with loyalty focus | Attributes, custom forms, Klaviyo + loyalty integration |
| Junip | Clean design + developer-friendly | Fast load times, customizable widgets, GDPR-compliant |
| Fera.ai | All-in-one social proof | Reviews, live sales popups, low stock alerts |
| Taggbox | Social media UGC (e.g. Instagram) | Pulls branded content from IG, TikTok, YouTube |
| Yotpo | Enterprise & omnichannel UGC | AI-based review generation, loyalty/referral tools, SMS + email integration |
💡Expert tip: If you’re running ads or working with influencers, Taggbox can help turn social buzz into on-page proof. For pure product review firepower, Loox is the go-to.
Choosing the Right UGC App for Your Shopify Store
Don’t pick the flashiest app — pick the one that fits your stage, team, and customer journey.
| Store Type | Best UGC App | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Starter brand | Loox or Fera.ai | Affordable, easy to use, quick visual wins |
| Scaling DTC brand | Okendo or Junip | Custom forms, loyalty integration, flexibility |
| Influencer-heavy store | Taggbox | Pulls UGC from multiple social platforms |
| Developer team in-house | Junip | Headless-friendly, advanced theme integration |
💡Pro tip: Look for apps with photo-first reviews and mobile-friendly design. That’s where your conversions happen.
How to Collect High-Converting UGC From Customers
You don’t get great UGC by sitting around hoping someone posts a selfie. You have to ask, incentivise, and guide.
Ask at the right moment
Send post-purchase emails 5–10 days after delivery
Ask again after product use (e.g. skincare: 3 weeks later)
Include photo examples to set the tone
Offer incentives (ethically)
“Upload a photo for 10% off your next order”
Run giveaways: “Tag us for a chance to win”
Make it about community, not just discounts
Guide the type of content you want
“We’d love to see your setup!”
“Show us your unboxing moment”
“Tag us with your glow-up selfie!”
💡Pro tip: Avoid vague asks like “Leave us a review.” Instead, prompt with a story: “Tell us what surprised you most when you first tried it.”
Advanced Strategies for Scaling UGC on Shopify
If you’ve nailed the basics, here’s how to turn UGC into a serious growth engine:
Auto-publish the best reviews
Use apps that automatically pin 5-star photo reviews at the top.
Embed UGC into your cart/checkout pages
Fera.ai and Okendo let you drop social proof inside your funnel.
Turn UGC into retargeting ads
Export video or image reviews into Meta Ads Manager. Authenticity converts — especially to warm traffic.
Use UGC in Google Shopping
Some review apps sync star ratings with Shopping results — boosting click-throughs.
Analyse themes in reviews
Use sentiment analysis to find what customers love/hate. Then optimise product descriptions or ad messaging based on real voice-of-customer data.
💡Pro tip: Start tagging reviews by product, theme, or sentiment. This turns your UGC into a market research engine.
Common Mistakes Shopify Stores Make With UGC
Let’s finish with a reality check. UGC is powerful — but it’s easy to get wrong.
Ignoring permissions: If you use a customer’s photo, get permission (or use apps that automate it).
Cluttering the product page: Don’t throw every review onto one feed. Curate. Feature.
Being too controlling: Raw UGC works because it’s not polished. Resist the urge to over-edit.
Forgetting mobile UX: UGC should load fast, scroll well, and not block the “Add to Cart” button on mobile.
Treating it like a one-time campaign: UGC should be a system, not a stunt. Build review requests into your post-purchase flow.
💡Pro tip: If it feels too salesy, it’s probably not UGC. Keep it human.
Shopify UGC Isn’t Just a Nice-to-Have — It’s the New Default
If you're building a Shopify store in 2025, UGC shouldn't be an afterthought. It should be part of your foundation.
It’s the digital version of word-of-mouth. And it beats every marketing angle you can dream up — because your customers already are the angle. They’re the proof. They’re the promise.
Whether you start with a few image reviews or a fully embedded Instagram gallery, what matters is consistency. Don’t chase a viral moment. Build a visible culture of customer wins.
