The UGC Glossary.
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Your complete guide to UGC terminology. Explore clear definitions, creator and brand terms, platform language and industry jargon — all in one place. Understand the language of UGC and navigate the creator economy with greater confidence.
Explore the UGC Glossary.
Search, browse or filter to discover the terminology used across UGC, creator marketing, brand partnerships and social advertising.
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creators.
UGC
User-generated content: content created by people rather than traditional brand-led production.
Learn more →Hook
The opening part of a video designed to capture attention and keep someone watching.
Learn more →CTA
Call to action. An instruction telling the audience what to do next.
Learn more →Whitelisting
Permission allowing a brand to run advertising through a creator's social account.
Learn more →Usage Rights
The agreed permission covering where, how and for how long content may be used.
Learn more →ROAS
Return on ad spend: a metric comparing advertising revenue with advertising cost.
Learn more →Creator Brief
A document explaining campaign objectives, deliverables, messages and requirements.
Learn more →Spark Ads
TikTok's native ad format that can promote authorised creator content.
Learn more →Organic UGC
Creator-style content distributed organically rather than through paid media.
Learn more →Paid UGC
UGC created in exchange for payment, products or another agreed benefit.
Learn more →Deliverables
The finished content assets a creator agrees to provide for a project.
Learn more →Licensing
Permission to use creator content under agreed commercial conditions.
Learn more →CPM
Cost per mille: the advertising cost for one thousand ad impressions.
Learn more →Creator Marketplace
A platform connecting brands and creators for services, briefs and opportunities.
Learn more →Ad Creative
The video, image or copy used as the creative within an advertisement.
Learn more →Engagement Rate
A measure of how audiences interact with content, such as likes or comments.
Learn more →Revision Policy
The agreed process for requesting changes to creator work after delivery.
Learn more →And More...
The glossary will continue to expand with more UGC, creator and advertising terminology.
Keep exploring →Browse Glossary Categories.
Jump straight into the terminology most relevant to what you're learning.
Creator Basics
Essential terminology for new and growing UGC creators.
Explore terms →Brand & Campaigns
Briefs, campaigns and brand collaboration terminology.
Explore terms →Content & Creative
Hooks, formats, creative strategy and production terminology.
Explore terms →Advertising Metrics
Understand performance and paid-media terminology.
Explore terms →Legal & Licensing
Usage rights, licensing and creator agreement language.
Explore terms →Platforms & Distribution
Platform-specific and creator-advertising terminology.
Explore terms →Key Terms Every Creator Should Know.
Start with some of the terminology you are most likely to encounter when working in UGC.
UGC
FEATUREDUser-generated content is creator-led content often designed to feel native, relatable and authentic.
Read definition →ROAS
FEATUREDReturn on ad spend compares revenue attributed to advertising with the advertising cost.
Read definition →Understanding industry terminology helps creators read briefs, understand agreements and communicate more professionally with brands.
More Ways to Grow in UGC.
Continue learning across the wider UGC Era Education ecosystem.
Creator Academy
Build your UGC skills and creator knowledge.
Start learning →Brand Academy
Learn how brands can build stronger UGC campaigns.
Learn more →UGC Research
Explore research, industry trends and insights.
Explore research →Templates & Tools
Practical resources for creators and brands.
Browse tools →Knowledge creates opportunity.
Learn. Create. Grow. A stronger creator economy starts with better knowledge.