The Ultimate Guide on How to Find UGC Creators for Your Brand

User-generated content (UGC) isn’t just effective.

It’s one of the fastest ways to build trust, boost engagement, and drive actual sales.

Take Golden Tree, for example. Instead of splurging on high-end productions, this natural health solutions brand repurposed 12 authentic customer videos into UGC-style ads. Through authentic voices, their ROAS soared to 2.5x while spending just 27.5€ on average on one video and boosting conversions.

But here’s the catch: finding the right creators—the ones who truly get your brand and can deliver scroll-stopping content—is far from easy.

There’s a lot to think about before working with a UGC creator.

From copyright rights and user-generated content quality to making sure the video reflects the right message.

And then you also need enough time to find that one creator that clicks with your brand immediately.

But, before you get overwhelmed, we’re here to tell you that it’s not as challenging as we made you believe.

In fact, this guide will help you understand how to find UGC creators quickly and effectively.

By the end, you’ll find UGC creators like a pro.

From hashtag hacks to creator platforms, we’re covering the smartest ways to connect with top-tier UGC talent.

Plus, some helpful tips for when you find them.

Let’s jump in.

TL;DR

• UGC helps brands build trust, engage their target audience, and boost sales.
• Finding the right UGC creators seems overwhelming, but you can simplify the process with a few clear strategies.
• You can find creators through social media searches, UGC platforms, in-app tools, and community engagement.

10 Ways to Finding UGC Creators

User-generated content (UGC) is a game-changer for brands looking to build trust and engagement.

But how do you find UGC creators to work with? How to hire UGC creators? What should you even pay?

Here are the best strategies to discover top-tier content creators who align with your brand’s voice and vision.

1. Use a UGC Platform

Want a fast and hassle-free way to find UGC creators?

A UGC platform is your best bet.

These online UGC platforms connect brands with experienced user generated content creators. And they save you the time and effort of manual searching.

Instead of wasting time on social media, looking for the right fit, go for a more straightforward approach.

Submit a content brief, review creators that apply, and hire the best match.

Best for: Brands that want a simple, straightforward solution with minimal effort.

How it works:

Post your content brief with your brand’s needs and expectations.

Browse creator portfolios to find the right match based on style and niche.

Select a creator and collaborate; approve content only when you're completely happy with it.

Key Benefits:

• Saves time by streamlining the creator search process.
• nsures high-quality user-generated content with vetted UGC creators.
• Some platforms offer money-back guarantees for extra security.

Pro Tip:

Using a UGC brief template streamlines this process. Choose platforms with multiple revisions, past UGC campaign examples, and transparent pricing. This helps you find the best creators without second-guessing your choices.

2. Search Social Media Hashtags

Social media hashtags are one of the easiest ways to find UGC creators who are already producing content in your niche.

By searching the right hashtags, you can discover creators actively engaging with brands and making authentic, high-quality content.

How to Find UGC Creators Using Hashtags:

✅ Use niche-relevant hashtags

Start with tags like #UGCcreator, #brandcollab, #UGCcontent, #sponsored, #paidpartnership, and industry-specific terms. These help you spot creators who are already working with brands.

✅ Look for past collaborations

Check a creator’s profile to see if they’ve partnered with brands in your industry. If they have experience creating UGC for similar brands, they’re likely a great fit. This can be especially great for fashion brands of the same niche.

✅ Prioritize engagement over follower count

A smaller creator with high engagement (likes, comments, shares) is often more valuable than someone with a big but passive audience. Look for content that sparks real conversations.

Pro Tip:

Create a list or spreadsheet to track promising creators.

Engage with their content before reaching out—liking, commenting, and sharing can help build a relationship and improve your chances of a successful collaboration.

3. Work with UGC Agencies or Marketplaces

If you want high-quality UGC without the hassle of searching for creators yourself, UGC agencies and marketplaces are a great option to find UGC creators.

These services handle everything—from connecting you with vetted, affordable creators to managing the collaboration process—so you can focus on your brand.

Best for:

Brands that want a done-for-you solution with minimal effort.

How to Choose the Right UGC Agency or Marketplace:

✅ Compare agencies based on expertise, cost, and creator quality.

✅ Look for agencies with case studies or past campaign results to ensure they deliver real value.

✅ Consider whether you need a one-time campaign or ongoing user generated content before committing to a service.

Pros & Cons:

✔ Pros: find UGC creators easily! Access to experienced UGC creators with a track record of producing results.

✖ Cons: Generally more expensive than DIY methods or UGC platforms.

4. Engage with Your Own Customers

Find affordable UGC creators among your most loyal customers!

People who already love your brand are more likely to create content that's authentic, high-quality and resonates with others.

Encouraging them to share their experiences not only generates organic UGC but also strengthens brand loyalty.

Best for:

Brands that want to build a community-driven content strategy.

How to Encourage Customers to Create UGC:

✅ Offer incentives – Discounts, giveaways, or the chance to be featured on your social media or attend industry events can motivate customers to share and create content.

✅ Make it easy – Provide clear instructions on how customers can become brand advocates, submit content, whether through hashtags, direct uploads, or email.

✅ Engage with their content – Like, comment, and share customer posts to show appreciation and encourage more participation.

Why It Works:

• Strengthens customer relationships and increases trust.
• Creates organic, relatable content that feels more genuine than traditional ads.
• Expands your reach as customers share content with their own followers.

Pro Tip:

Always clarify content rights and permissions before repurposing customer-generated content. This avoids legal issues and ensures transparency.

5. Join Online Forums & Communities

Not all UGC creators are active on mainstream social media platforms—many connect in niche online communities where they share their work and look for collaboration opportunities. These forums can be a goldmine for discovering fresh talent.

Where to Look:

✅ Reddit – Subreddits like r/ugcmarketing and r/influencer marketing often feature creators looking for brand partnerships.

✅ Facebook Groups – Many UGC-focused groups exist where creators showcase their work and connect with brands.

✅ LinkedIn – Professional networking groups often include user generated content creators open to collaborations.

Why It Works:

• You’ll find undiscovered talent who may not be overwhelmed with brand deals, making them more open to partnerships.
• These creators are highly engaged in their communities and often produce niche content that aligns with specific audiences.

Pro Tip:

Engage genuinely in discussions before making collaboration requests.

Building relationships first increases your chances of securing a quality creator who truly fits your brand.

6. Perform Keyword Searches on Social Media

Hashtags aren’t the only way to find UGC creators—keyword searches can help uncover potential collaborators who don’t always use trending tags.

Many creators include terms like "user generated content creators" or "brand collaborations" in their bios, captions, or posts.

How to Find UGC Creators:

Use platform search functions on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube to look up terms like:

• "UGC creator"
• "Brand collab"
• "[Your industry] UGC" (e.g., "fitness UGC" or "beauty UGC")

How to Test Content Quality:

• Don’t just focus on follower count—look at consistency, engagement, and brand alignment.
• Check for clear visuals, storytelling skills, and authenticity in their posts.

Pro Tip:

Look at the comment sections to see how their audience interacts with their content. High engagement usually signals an active and loyal following.

7. Collaborate with Micro-Influencers

Micro-influencers—(who are not the same as UGC creators) with 10K to 50K followers—are a goldmine for high-quality UGC.

They often have better engagement rates than larger influencers and connect deeply with their niche audience, making their user generated content feel authentic and trustworthy.

Why Micro-Influencers Work:

✔ Their smaller, highly engaged audience trusts their recommendations, making their content creation more impactful.

✔ They create relatable and organic content, which resonates better than highly polished influencer ads.

How to Find Micro-Influencers:

✅ Use influencer marketing tools like Upfluence and Heepsy to search for niche creators.

✅ Manually search on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, focusing on audience interaction over follower count.

Pro Tip:

Offer long-term partnerships instead of one-off deals.

Ongoing collaborations build stronger relationships and make the user generated content feel even more natural to their audience.

8. Use In-App Creator Tools

Social media platforms offer built-in creator tools that make it easier for brands to find and collaborate with UGC creators.

These tools connect brands with vetted creators, helping you find influencers who match your niche, style, and audience.

Top In-App Creator Tools:

✅ TikTok Creator Marketplace – A dedicated platform where brands can find verified UGC creators across various industries. Offers insights into audience demographics and past performance.

✅ Instagram Collab Tool – Helps brands partner with influencers by making it easy to co-author posts and reels. Great for seamless UGC integration.

✅ YouTube BrandConnect – Ideal for video-based UGC collaborations, connecting brands with YouTube creators for sponsored content creation and authentic promotions.

Pro Tip:

These tools streamline the search and vetting process, making it easier to identify potential creators without the guesswork. Use them to save time and ensure you're working with creators who align with your brand.

9. Leverage Social Listening Tools

Social listening tools help brands track mentions, keywords, and conversations related to their brand's products, making it easier to find users already creating UGC organically, on groups related
to your niche.

Instead of searching for creators manually, these tools do the work for you by identifying people who are actively talking about your brand.

• Best tools: Platforms like Brandwatch, Sprout Social, and Mention monitor brand mentions across social media and online communities.
• How to use: Set up alerts for keywords like your brand name, product names, or industry-specific terms to discover potential UGC creators.
• Next steps: Engage with these creators by liking, commenting, and sharing their content before reaching out for a potential collaboration.

Pro Tip:

Users already talking about your brand are more likely to create authentic, high-performing UGC. Prioritize them over cold outreach to new creators.

10. Reach Out to Existing Customers & Followers

Your most loyal customers could already be user generated content creators
—you just might not have noticed! People who love your brand are more likely to create authentic, high-quality content that resonates with potential customers. Instead of searching for new creators, start by tapping into your existing audience.

Best for:

Brands with an engaged social media following or a strong customer base.

How to Find UGC Creators in Your Audience:

✅ Identify repeat buyers, active commenters, and engaged followers who regularly interact with your content.

✅ Check if they’re already creating UGC—some may have tagged your brand in posts or stories.

Next Steps:

• Offer discounts, free products, or exclusive features as incentives for them to create branded content.
• Repost their content on your brand’s page—it not only saves time but also boosts engagement and strengthens customer loyalty.

Pro Tip:

Turning your customers into user generated content creators saves time and money while building a stronger brand community. People love seeing their content recognized by brands they support!

Brand Benefits of Working with UGC Creators

​Else Nutrition, a US-based brand specializing in plant-based children's nutrition, collaborated with 20 parenting-focused creators to produce 93 videos over two months. This resulted in a 25% increase in website traffic and new customer acquisition.

Partnering with UGC creators offers several advantages that can boost your brand’s credibility, engagement, and overall success.

Increased brand credibility & trust – People trust user generated content from real customers more than traditional ads.

✅ Higher engagement & conversion rates – Authentic content resonates better with audiences, leading to more interactions and sales.

✅ Authentic & high-quality content – UGC creators produce relatable, brand-aligned content that feels natural.

✅ Cost-effective digital marketing – UGC is often more affordable than large-scale influencer campaigns or traditional ads.

✅ Stronger brand awareness & reputation – Consistent, high-quality UGC keeps your brand top-of-mind.

✅ Enhanced audience participation – UGC encourages customers to interact with your brand, fostering community engagement.

✅ Expanded reach through creator networks – Creators expose your brand to new audiences, increasing social proof and credibility.

Identifying Your Ideal UGC Creator

Finding the right UGC creator starts with a clear understanding of your brand’s goals and audience.

✅ Define your niche & audience

Know your unique selling point (USP), target demographics, and competitor strategies.

✅ Choose the right content type

Determine if you need UGC videos, interactive content, or static posts based on your marketing strategy.

✅ Align with brand aesthetics – Ensure the creator’s style, tone, and format match your brand identity for a cohesive look.

✅ Set content expectations

Define posting frequency, consistency, and engagement goals to ensure alignment with your campaign objectives.

Selecting the Right UGC Creator

Choosing the right UGC creator ensures your brand gets high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience.

✅ Evaluate content quality & relevance – Check if their style, messaging, and creativity align with your brand’s tone and goals.

✅ Analyze audience engagement & demographics – Ensure their followers match your target audience and have high interaction rates (likes, comments, shares).

✅ Review past collaborations & reputation – Look at previous brand partnerships, reviews, and professionalism to gauge their reliability.

Tips for Working with UGC Creators

Find UGC creators you can build strong relationships with and lead to better content and long-term success.

✅ Set clear goals & expectations – Align on brand messaging, content style, and deliverables upfront to avoid misunderstandings.

✅ Provide resources & support – Give creators the tools, guidelines, and creative freedom they need to produce their best work.

✅ Track performance & adjust strategy – Monitor engagement, conversions, and effectiveness to refine your approach.

✅ Recognize & reward creators – Show appreciation through bonuses, social features, or long-term partnerships to keep them motivated.

Conclusion

Why find UGC creators? Because they're key to building real, authentic connections with your audience.

Whether you’re using UGC platforms, browsing social media, or tapping into loyal customers, the goal is always the same: Better marketing.

​By collaborating with 22 creators, Eneba produced more than 33 user-generated visuals. This enabled their expansion into two new markets at an average cost of just €40 per content piece.

Want results like this? Connect with specific creators whose content reflects your brand’s voice and values.

Once you’ve found the right fit, focus on clear communication, creative freedom, and mutual support to produce content that feels real—and performs.

👉 For example, a small skincare brand sourced five creators through a UGC platform and repurposed their UGC videos into paid ads. The result? A 2.5x boost in click-through rates compared to their previous branded content.

Strong partnerships and a smart content strategy can lead to better engagement, more trust, and higher conversions.

So don’t wait—start searching, connecting, and collaborating with creators who can take your brand to the next level.