Anecdotal user-generated content (UGC) has long been a valuable resource for people seeking answers. It’s also an important signal for search engines, verifying the credibility of brands and the marketers posting on their behalf. Developing a strong UGC content strategy helps brands show up in these searches. That holds true for both generative and conventional search engines. And that makes UGC content more relevant than ever in the age of AI.
Why A UGC Content Strategy Will Continue to Matter in 2025 (and Beyond)
Online forums and Q&A sites serve as trusted repositories of information for both humans and search engines.
AI Relies on UGC Sources
Large language models frequently cite Reddit threads, Quora answers, Stack Overflow responses, and forum discussions as authoritative sources. And these posts persist.
For example, Reddit posts continue to rack up views for an average of six months, with 34% still getting hits more than a year after publication.
This longevity means today’s forum conversations become tomorrow’s AI training data, appearing in both traditional search results and AI-generated recommendations.
User Trust in Peer Advice
Consumers continue to place significant trust in peer-to-peer forums for unvarnished opinions and recommendations.
For example, 88% of shoppers who use social media rely on Reddit to help them make decisions about purchases.
In part, that’s because valuable content tends to rise naturally while less helpful information becomes less visible in online forums.
How Forums Shape Brand Perception in AI
Forum conversations influence both AI output and audience perception as they form the data foundation supporting brand narratives in the digital space.
Citations in Generative Engines
AI responses frequently reference Reddit, Quora, or niche forums when answering user questions. That means forum content directly influences what users see about your brand through AI-powered tools.
Tools like Ahrefs Brand Radar allow you to track which UGC platforms cite your brand. Regular monitoring helps you identify gaps where competitors receive more attention. You can then adjust your forum participation strategy to close those gaps.
Positive vs. Negative Narratives
Conversations on forums become part of the data that AI models learn from, which can either boost or harm brand reputation.
What’s more, when your brand is absent from these discussions, competitors are left to fill the void. And if negative narratives dominate forum conversations about your industry or products, those perspectives shape AI responses and user perceptions.
Conversely, thoughtful participation in relevant discussions can help your brand establish positive brand associations that persist through AI citations and community memory.
Tactical Playbook for UGC Engagement
Here’s how to build a presence that resonates with UGC communities while supporting your content strategy.
Choose the Right Platforms
Select platforms based on your niche and audience.
For example:
- Reddit offers broad reach with specialized subreddits for nearly every topic.
- Quora attracts more than 400 million monthly users seeking expert answers.
- Stack Overflow is an excellent place to reach technical communities.
Consider where your target customers already gather and the types of conversations they regularly engage in.
Answer with Depth and Specificity
Generic responses won’t cut through the noise on UGC platforms.
Instead, provide case studies, authoritative data, or firsthand insights that stand out in threads.
Well-researched answers with actionable advice earn more upvotes and recognition. Detailed responses also have better chances of being cited by AI models. In short, focusing on solving real problems rather than promoting your brand directly will give you the best results.
Build a Contributor Profile
Maintain consistent usernames and bios across platforms.
And rather than hiding corporate affiliation, be upfront about your connection to your brand while focusing on providing genuine value. It’s all part of showing up authentically in online communities, which helps you build trust.
Forum Marketing Tactics That Work
There’s a difference between authentic, thoughtful forum participation and pumping out easy, spammy posts that won’t get you nearly as much traction. Here’s how to elevate your presence.
Engage in Relevant Threads
Forcing your brand into unrelated conversations will damage your credibility and may even violate community guidelines.
Instead, identify threads where your expertise naturally fits. Then:
- Answer questions related to your industry.
- Contribute to discussions about challenges your products address.
- Participate in conversations where you can offer insights based on your or your brand’s experience.
Add Value Before Promotion
Prioritize insights, explanations, or resources before mentioning your product.
The most effective forum marketing doesn’t read like marketing at all. Share knowledge freely, address pain points with practical solutions, and establish yourself as a helpful community member. Then, when you do mention your brand, it will read like a natural extension of the value you’ve already provided.
Leverage AMA and Q&A Formats
AMA (Ask Me Anything) and Q&A formats allow you to share your expertise while engaging directly with active communities. They also generate content that gets cited long after the conversation ends, contributing to your brand’s long-term visibility.
Measuring the Impact of UGC Engagement
Here’s how to track your return on investment on forum and UGC participation.
Monitor AI Citations
Use tools like Ahrefs Brand Radar or conduct manual queries to see if AI platforms reference your UGC contributions.
Set up a regular monitoring schedule to track how often AI systems cite your content. Document which forum posts and answers receive the most AI attention. Also track whether citations lead to increased website traffic or conversions. And consider how citation patterns shift as AI models update their training data.
Track Referral Traffic
Look for clicks from Reddit, Quora, or other forums in Google Analytics or through tagged links that help you track traffic sources.
You can also compare referral quality by examining metrics such as time on site, pages per session, and conversion rates for forum-sourced visitors versus other channels.
Watch Sentiment Trends
Track brand mentions across forums and whether the tone of your brand’s mentions shifts over time. Doing so will show you whether you need to correct misconceptions or adjust your strategy.
You can use sentiment analysis tools to categorize mentions as positive, negative, or neutral. Monitor whether negative sentiment stems from product issues or competitor narratives. Document whether your participation improves overall sentiment over time. As a bonus, identify which community members influence others’ perceptions of your brand.
The Future of UGC in Content Strategy
As AI shapes how users discover information, forum participation will play a growing role in generative engine optimization (GEO) strategies.
AI Is Only as Good as Its Sources
Remember, if your brand is absent from forums, AI will rely on other voices, including those of your competitors. Participating in forums lets you contribute to industry narratives.
Conversely, your active participation will ensure that AI systems can access accurate information about your offerings. Regular contributions also help you establish your brand as an authoritative voice in your field.
UGC as Demand Generation
Forum participation can inspire curiosity, questions, and traffic beyond traditional SEO.
That’s because when you provide valuable insights in community spaces, you create demand for deeper engagement with your brand. Users who discover your expertise in forums are more likely to seek out your owned content, explore your products, or share your contributions within their networks.
Forums as R&D Labs
Consider this: conversations provide insights into customer needs, objections, and emerging trends.
When you regularly participate in forum discussions, you gain unfiltered feedback about market perceptions, desired features, and competitive positioning. You can use this intelligence to inform product development, content strategy, and more.
Final Thoughts: Using a UGC Content Strategy in 2025
These days, SEO alone isn’t enough to drive traffic. You also need UGC participation to build credibility and AI visibility.
Now is the time to add UGC participation to your playbook—before your competitors dominate the conversation.
For more insights on creating content strategies for long-term ROI, explore our guide: An Enterprise Marketer’s Guide to Scaling Content in 2025.
About the Author
Michael Belfiore fell in love with technology and writing at the age of six and hasn’t looked back. He has written about rockets and robots for Wired and National Geographic, books on spaceflight and advanced technology development for HarperCollins, and everything from the future of work to quantum computing for tech brands and news sites. He lives in New York’s Hudson Valley. Check out his nDash profile for more information: Michael Belfiore.