Standout examples of examples of user-generated content contests

Real-world examples of user-generated content contests that actually got entries

Let’s start with the fun part: real examples. When people ask for examples of examples of user-generated content contests, what they really want is proof that ordinary followers will actually create content on command. Spoiler: they will, if the prompt is clear, the prize is tempting, and the contest feels like a party, not homework.

Here are several styles of UGC contests brands are running right now, with specific, real-world flavored scenarios you can borrow.

1. TikTok “show us your version” challenges

Short-form video is the current playground for UGC contests. One classic example of a modern contest format is the “show us your version” challenge on TikTok or Reels.

A fitness apparel brand might post a simple workout sequence and invite followers to “Show us your version of this routine” using a branded sound and hashtag. Entries include:

• People doing the routine with their dog crawling under them.
• Parents turning it into a stroller workout.
• College students improvising with water jugs instead of dumbbells.

The brand reposts the funniest or most creative clips, and picks winners for categories like “Most Creative Location” or “Best Costume.” The best examples of this style feel flexible and low-pressure: no one has to be a pro creator to join.

This format works because:

• The barrier to entry is low: film on your phone, post, tag.
• The contest rides the algorithmic wave of trending sounds and short-form content.
• People love seeing imperfect, real-life attempts.

2. Before-and-after transformation contests

Another of the best examples of user-generated content contests: the transformation challenge. Skincare, fitness, home decor, and even budgeting apps use this format constantly.

A home organization brand, for instance, might run a “30-Day Declutter Challenge” where participants share before-and-after photos of a closet, pantry, or garage. To enter, they:

• Post a side-by-side image or short video.
• Include the brand hashtag and tag the account.
• Optionally share one tip they learned during the process.

The brand then curates entries into Stories, newsletters, and blog posts as social proof. These contests generate a stream of authentic testimonials and visuals that feel more trustworthy than polished ads. For sectors like health and wellness, brands need to be careful not to overpromise results; linking to reputable health information (for example, NIH or Mayo Clinic) in contest pages can help anchor expectations in reality.

3. “Design our next product” community contests

If you want your audience to feel deeply invested, ask them to help create what you sell. Some of the best examples of user-generated content contests in 2024–2025 involve co-creating products.

Imagine a beverage company inviting followers to submit flavor ideas and label designs. Entries might be:

• A hand-drawn sketch of a can design.
• A Canva mockup with a clever flavor name.
• A short video pitch explaining the concept.

The winning design gets produced as a limited-edition run, with the creator’s name on the packaging and a revenue share or cash prize. The brand documents the whole process on social media—from shortlisting entries to factory production—turning the contest into an ongoing story.

These examples of examples of user-generated content contests give you:

• Built-in market research (you see what flavors or features people want).
• A story the press might actually care about.
• A rabidly loyal winner who becomes a long-term advocate.

4. Hashtag photo contests with a twist

Hashtag photo contests are old-school, but they’re not dead—just boring when they’re copy-pasted. The best examples now add a creative constraint or theme.

Instead of “Post a photo with our product,” a travel brand might run “The 7-Foot View Challenge”: share a photo taken from 7 feet or higher (balcony, rooftop, treehouse, drone), tag the brand, and explain where you are.

Entries flood in: rooftop dinners in Chicago, a treehouse stay in Costa Rica, a cheap motel balcony in Nevada that somehow looks cinematic. The brand re-shares the most striking shots and awards:

• A grand prize trip.
• Weekly smaller prizes like gift cards or travel gear.

These examples include a specific angle (literally) that makes the feed more visually interesting and gives participants an easy creative prompt.

5. “Duet or stitch this” storytelling contests

On TikTok, another strong example of a UGC contest is the duet/stitch story chain. A brand posts a short, open-ended clip—maybe a character walking into a room and reacting in shock—and asks followers to duet or stitch with what happens next.

For a book publisher, this could become a “Write the next line” campaign:

• The brand posts an author reading the first line of a new thriller.
• Viewers duet with their own dramatic second line.
• The funniest, scariest, or most poetic entries win signed copies and feature spots.

This format creates a collaborative narrative that feels more like improv theater than marketing. The best examples of user-generated content contests in this lane tap into fandom energy and fanfic culture.

6. Recipe remix and “hack our product” contests

Food and beverage brands have a gold mine here. One of the most engaging examples of user-generated content contests is the recipe remix.

A plant-based milk company might invite followers to share their most unexpected recipe using the product: sauces, baked goods, cocktails, you name it. To enter, people:

• Post a short video or carousel of the finished dish.
• Include the recipe in the caption.
• Use the branded hashtag.

The brand then compiles the best recipes into a downloadable PDF or blog post, crediting creators. This gives you evergreen content and a reason to email your list: “We turned your recipes into a community cookbook.”

If your product isn’t edible, you can still steal the format. A stationery brand can run a “Hack Our Planner” contest where people share unusual ways they use the planner: meal tracking, language learning, wedding planning.

7. Cause-based and nonprofit UGC contests

Nonprofits and public agencies are increasingly using UGC contests to amplify public health and safety messages. These might not look like typical brand campaigns, but they’re some of the best examples of user-generated content contests with real-world impact.

Think of a public health department running a “My Healthy Morning” contest:

• Participants share a photo or short video of one small healthy habit: walking the dog, prepping veggies, stretching.
• They tag the agency and use a campaign hashtag.
• The agency features selected entries on its site and social channels and offers wellness-themed prizes donated by local businesses.

To keep information accurate, the contest page can link to evidence-based resources from organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. These real examples show how UGC can support education and behavior change, not just sales.

8. “Glow-up your space” AR and filter contests

With AR filters now easy to build on Instagram and Snapchat, another modern example of a UGC contest is the “decorate with our filter” challenge.

A home decor or paint brand might create filters that let users change wall colors, add virtual art, or drop in furniture. The contest prompt: “Show us your dream room using our AR tools.”

Participants:

• Use the brand’s AR effect to mock up a space.
• Share it to Stories or Reels and tag the brand.
• Describe their design idea in the caption.

The brand gets aspirational content that showcases products in context, without shipping a single sample. The best examples of examples of user-generated content contests in this category feel like a design game, not a sales pitch.

9. Micro-influencer “host your own mini contest” campaigns

Here’s a more advanced format: instead of running one giant contest, you empower dozens of micro-influencers to run small UGC contests with their own audiences.

For example:

• A beauty brand partners with 50 micro-creators.
• Each creator asks their followers to post a look using a specific product and hashtag.
• The brand chooses one grand prize winner across all creators, while each creator picks a personal favorite from their own community.

This layered approach multiplies reach and gives you many small pockets of authentic engagement instead of a single massive but shallow spike. These real examples can be harder to coordinate, but the payoff in content volume and trust is high.

How to steal from the best examples without copying them

Once you’ve seen enough examples of examples of user-generated content contests, patterns start to appear. The brands getting real engagement tend to:

• Make the prompt oddly specific, not vague.
• Lower the production bar so anyone can participate.
• Offer prizes that feel aligned with the effort.
• Make entrants feel seen, not just used for content.

When you design your own contest, start by writing the prompt like you’re texting a friend: “Hey, show me the weirdest place you’ve ever used our product,” or “Film your 10-second happy dance when your package arrives.” If it sounds stiff or corporate, your UGC will too.

Also, think about what you’re collecting. These examples include:

• Photos and videos you can reuse later in ads.
• Stories and testimonials you can quote on your site.
• Ideas and product feedback you can send to your R&D team.

Be transparent about how you’ll use submissions, and check local regulations and platform rules around contests and data use. While this isn’t legal advice, it’s worth reviewing guidance from reputable institutions or seeking counsel, especially if you’re collecting health-related content that might bump up against privacy expectations or regulations. Organizations like HHS.gov provide general information on health privacy that can help you think through risk.

Simple framework inspired by the best examples of UGC contests

To turn these real examples into something you can actually ship next month, use this lightweight framework:

Prompt: One sentence that tells people exactly what to create. Make it visual and specific.

Format: Decide if you want photos, short-form video, duets, stitches, AR shots, or text stories.

Tagging rules: Choose one hashtag and stick to it. Ask for a tag or mention so you don’t miss entries.

Prize structure: Mix one big prize with a few smaller ones. Many of the best examples of user-generated content contests reward multiple people, not just a single winner.

Spotlight plan: Decide where you’ll feature entries—Stories, feed posts, email, blog, or even in-store displays.

Timing: Shorter windows (7–14 days) often create more urgency than month-long marathons.

Build your contest draft, then sanity-check it against the examples above. If it feels more complicated than any of those, simplify until someone could explain it out loud in one breath.

FAQ about user-generated content contests

What are some simple examples of user-generated content contests for small businesses?
Great starter formats include “Show us how you use [product] in your daily routine,” “Post your favorite menu item and tag us,” or “Share your best tip related to our service.” These examples of contests don’t need big budgets—offer a gift card, free upgrade, or feature on your page.

Can I use contest entries in my future marketing?
Usually yes, but only if your rules clearly state that by entering, participants grant you permission to reuse their content. Look at how bigger brands phrase their terms and adapt them, or get legal review if you’re unsure.

What’s an example of a low-effort contest that still gets engagement?
A classic example of a low-effort UGC contest is a “caption this” post. You share a funny or striking photo related to your brand and ask followers to comment with their best caption. Pick winners from the comments and, if you like, invite people to turn their caption into a meme or short video for a bonus round.

How do I avoid spammy or off-brand entries?
Be specific in your rules, moderate entries, and reserve the right to disqualify content that’s offensive or irrelevant. Many of the best examples of user-generated content contests include a line about adhering to platform community guidelines.

How many platforms should I run my contest on?
Most small and mid-size brands do best focusing on one primary platform where they already have traction. Some real examples work across Instagram and TikTok, but that usually requires extra moderation and tracking. Start with one, then expand once you’ve tested your format.