The best examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories (and how to use them)

Real examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories you can steal today

Let’s skip the theory and go straight into real examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories that actually work in 2024–2025. As you read, picture how each idea would look for your brand.

1. Customer “unboxing” Stories

One classic example of user-generated content on Instagram Stories is the unboxing Story. A customer films themselves opening your package, reacting to the product, and showing how it’s packed.

You’ll see this constantly with beauty, tech, and subscription brands. A customer tags the brand in their Story, the brand taps “Add to your Story,” and suddenly you have a mini ad filmed by a real person. The best examples include:

• A quick first reaction (“OMG it’s here!”)
• Close-ups of packaging and product details
• A short voiceover or captions explaining what they ordered

To get more of this kind of UGC on Stories, many brands add a printed card in every order saying something like: “Share your unboxing on Stories, tag @brand, and we might feature you.” That tiny nudge dramatically increases the volume of content you have to repost.

2. Before-and-after transformations

If your product or service creates a visible change, this is one of the strongest examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories.

Think about:

• Fitness coaches sharing clients’ progress photos (with permission)
• Skincare brands reposting customers’ skin journeys
• Home organizers sharing room makeovers their clients post

The reason these Stories work is simple: transformation is proof. Social science research shows that people rely heavily on social proof when making decisions under uncertainty (Harvard Business School has a useful overview of this). A side-by-side before/after Story from a real person is more persuasive than any polished ad.

If you want more of this style of UGC, make it specific and easy:

• Ask: “Share your before-and-after in Stories and tag us with #MyDeskGlowUp.”
• Create a Story template people can screenshot and fill out (for example, two boxes labeled “Before” and “After”).

3. “Day in the life” Stories from customers

Another powerful example of user-generated content on Instagram Stories is the “day in the life” takeover—except instead of influencers, you feature real customers.

Here’s how it usually works:

A customer films short clips throughout their day using your product naturally: making breakfast with your pan, working at their desk with your planner, going to the gym in your apparel. They post to their own Stories and tag you. You then repost the entire sequence.

The best examples include small details: coffee spills, messy desks, kids running around, workouts that don’t go perfectly. That everyday realism is exactly why people watch.

To spark this content, ask a simple prompt on your own Story: “Show us how you use [product] in your day. Tag us and we’ll share our favorites.” Offer a small incentive (like a monthly giveaway) and you’ll start seeing more of these Story sequences.

4. Q&A Stories answered by your community

Not all examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories have to be visual; some of the best examples are text-based.

You can ask a question in your Story (using the Question sticker), then repost your followers’ answers as a Story series. A few ideas:

• “What’s one tip you’d give someone just starting with [topic]?”
• “How do you use [product] in a non-obvious way?”
• “What’s the biggest mistake you made when you started [activity]?”

Your community does the writing; you do the curating.

This approach works especially well for education, health, and coaching brands. If you’re in a health-adjacent space, just remember to be responsible: don’t repost medical claims as fact, and consider linking to reputable health sources like Mayo Clinic or NIH in your bio or captions for more accurate information.

5. Review and testimonial Stories

Reviews are one of the most obvious examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories, but most brands underuse them.

Any time someone:

• DMs you a compliment
• Leaves a review on your site
• Sends an email saying how your product helped them

…you can turn that into a Story (with their permission and name blurred if needed).

Some of the best examples include:

• A screenshot of the review, with your short reaction typed on top
• A sequence of three to five reviews in a row, then saved as a “Reviews” Highlight
• A mix of star ratings, quotes, and photos from the customer

This kind of Story UGC works because it stacks social proof. People see not just one happy customer, but many. That repetition builds trust over time.

6. Challenge and hashtag Stories

If you want volume, a hashtag challenge is one of the fastest ways to collect examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories.

You create a simple challenge tied to your brand:

• A recipe brand: “Make your favorite 5-ingredient breakfast and share it with #5MinuteMornings.”
• A stationery brand: “Show us your weekly spread with #PlanWith[BrandName].”
• A fitness coach: “Share your post-workout selfie with #SweatWith[Name].”

Followers post to their Stories using your hashtag and tagging you. You repost the best examples and save them to a Highlight.

This approach taps into people’s desire for community and recognition. Research on social media behavior suggests that people are more likely to participate when there’s social validation and visible norms (Pew Research Center). Seeing others join a challenge makes new people more likely to jump in.

7. User-generated tutorials and how-tos

Sometimes your audience will create better tutorials than you do—and that’s a gift.

Look for Stories where people show:

• Creative ways to style your clothing
• Hacks for using your software faster
• Recipes using your ingredients in unexpected ways

Reposting these how-to Stories gives your followers practical value and makes the original creator feel like a star.

For example, a small coffee brand might repost a customer’s Story showing how they make cold brew at home, step by step. Another real example of user-generated content on Instagram Stories: a digital planner brand resharing a customer’s screen-recorded Story showing how they organize their week.

8. Event recaps from attendees

If you host events—online or in person—your attendees will often create some of the best examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories without you even asking.

Think about:

• Clips from a conference talk
• Photos from a pop-up shop
• Screenshots from a live webinar

All you have to do is search your event hashtag or brand tag, then repost. Afterward, save the best examples into a “2024 Events” or “Workshops” Highlight so new people can see the energy of your community.

This works well for educators, nonprofits, and local businesses. If you’re in education or research, you can even tie this into more formal resources, such as linking out from your profile to relevant pages on Harvard University or other .edu sites that support what you teach.

How to encourage more user-generated content for your Stories

Seeing examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories is inspiring, but you still need a system to get that content consistently. The good news: you don’t need a big budget—just clear prompts and quick responses.

Make the ask extremely obvious

People are busy. If you want more UGC, spell it out.

Add prompts everywhere:

• In your Instagram bio: “Share your Story and tag @brand for a feature.”
• In your order confirmation email: “Post your unboxing on Stories and tag us.”
• On your packaging: a short note asking customers to share.

The brands with the best examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories usually aren’t lucky—they’re intentional about asking.

Respond fast and reshare generously

When someone tags you in a Story, try to respond the same day. A quick “This made our day—thank you!” plus a repost goes a long way.

That fast feedback loop teaches your audience: “When I share, they notice.” And once people understand that, you’ll see more real examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories without having to push so hard.

Give light structure without killing creativity

You can guide people without scripting them.

For instance, instead of saying, “Post a review,” try:

• “Share a Story of your favorite way to use [product].”
• “Show us your setup before and after using [service].”
• “Record a 10-second clip finishing the sentence: ‘[Brand] helped me…’”

These prompts give direction but leave room for personality. That’s why the best examples feel natural instead of forced.

Respect privacy and ethics

Whenever you use user-generated content, keep a simple rule: treat people the way you’d want a brand to treat you.

Good habits include:

• Asking permission before reposting private account content
• Blurring names or faces if the context is sensitive
• Avoiding reposting Stories that share health or medical claims as fact

If your brand touches on health, fitness, or mental well-being, it’s especially important not to present user Stories as medical advice. You can gently encourage people to consult trusted sources like CDC or their own health care provider for personalized guidance.

Turning UGC Stories into long-term assets

A Story disappears after 24 hours, but your best examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories shouldn’t.

Here’s how to stretch their lifespan.

Build Highlights that act like mini landing pages

Think of Highlights as always-on playlists of your strongest UGC. Some ideas:

• “Results” or “Transformations” for before-and-after Stories
• “How You Use It” for tutorials and day-in-the-life clips
• “Love Notes” for reviews and testimonials

When someone visits your profile for the first time, these Highlights act like proof libraries. Instead of you saying, “We’re great,” they see real examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories doing the talking.

Repurpose Stories across platforms

Your best user-generated Stories don’t have to live only on Instagram.

You can:

• Turn them into vertical videos for TikTok or YouTube Shorts (with permission)
• Screenshot and share them in email newsletters
• Embed them on your website as social proof

This repurposing multiplies the impact of each example of user-generated content on Instagram Stories. One customer’s 15-second clip can support your marketing across multiple channels.

Track what actually moves the needle

Not every piece of UGC is equal. Some Stories will be cute; others will actually drive clicks and sales.

Pay attention to:

• Story completion rate (how many people watch the whole sequence)
• Replies and DMs triggered by certain Stories
• Link clicks on Stories that feature UGC vs brand-created content

Over time, patterns will show you which examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories resonate most. Maybe it’s raw behind-the-scenes clips, maybe it’s polished tutorials, maybe it’s emotional transformations. Double down on what your audience clearly cares about.

FAQ: examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories

What are some easy examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories I can start with today?
Begin with what your audience is already doing. Repost customer unboxing Stories, screenshots of positive reviews, and any Stories where people tag you using your product. These are simple examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories that require almost no setup—just permission and a quick share.

What’s one example of UGC on Stories that works for service-based businesses?
A strong example of user-generated content on Instagram Stories for service providers is client feedback. Ask clients to share a quick Story about their experience working with you—this could be a selfie video, a screen recording showing results, or a simple text slide. Repost these and save them to a “Client Wins” Highlight.

How do I get more people to create UGC for my Stories without paying influencers?
Make participation feel easy and rewarding. Use Story prompts, feature your followers regularly, and run small challenges or monthly giveaways. The more often people see real examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories being featured, the more they’ll want to join in.

Is it okay to edit or add text to someone’s Story before resharing it?
Light edits are usually fine—like adding your own caption, stickers, or tagging the creator—especially if you’re using Instagram’s built-in “Add to your Story” feature. Avoid cropping out the creator’s handle or changing the meaning of what they shared. When in doubt, ask first.

Can I use user-generated Stories in ads?
Only if you have explicit permission. Featuring UGC on your organic Stories is one thing; using it in paid advertising is another. If you find some of your best examples of user-generated content on Instagram Stories and want to turn them into ads, get written consent and be clear about how you plan to use the content.