User-generated content (also known as UGC) includes photos, reviews, videos, text posts, and so on… this is any content which is created and uploaded by users.
How do I properly use UGC to strengthen my SEO?
The trick to finding useful UGC is to know how to delegate the work to your users. The first step in this is providing opportunities for them to provide their content to you. One of the most obvious is via reviews. Still, you can also extend certain ‘jobs’ to the appropriate users- like asking a photographer to create photo content for you in exchange for credit where you post it or even credit to be spent on your site.
Why does UGC benefit SEO?
1.Improving Your Content’s Rank in Search Engines
Today, many search engines are working to make their product more mobile-friendly. Adding customer reviews and testimonials can make them easier to find in this way because they are written in natural language.
2. Gaining Trust
Micro-data (such as that of star ratings) can add credibility to your site, and in turn, visibility within search engine results.
3. Conversions
Regular content written by regular people earns more credibility in the eyes of users. Positive UGC leads to more conversions.
4. Learning About Your Consumers
There is no better way to understand consumers than giving them a voice. Reading their opinions can help you to generate new ideas, find potential areas for improvement, and gain an understanding of their motivation for using your services.
5. Building Relationships
It can be hard to maintain loyalty with businesses that live online. By encouraging engagement, you are inviting your users to feel heard.
How can I generate and incorporate UGC?
Product Reviews and Testimonials
These are especially useful for filling empty spaces on your website- search engines don’t like empty space.
Discussion Boards and Forums
Forums provides an opportunity for users to voice their opinions and interact with you. Interaction fuels engagement, and engagement fuels loyalty. You’ll want to keep an eye on this, though- don’t let your forums spiral into chaos. Keep an eye on spam posters and the like, and penalize them quickly. Remember to set rules for your forum. One of these can be no large image files- these increase the page’s loading time. Also, you’ll want to keep UGC clean with image moderation to make your site family friendly.
Social Media Sites
Social media can be used for UGC contests, which can help to grow your following. You can use it as a means for contacting users as well- limiting the hassle of phone calls and emails. Hosting events via social media like Q&A’s can be a good idea for growing loyalty and your following.
Whether you’re in the pursuit of growth, increased loyalty, new opinions, or increased traffic, UGC can help to get you where you need to go. Inviting users to generate content can save your business time and money, too- and you can’t go wrong with saving.
