How to Use Instagram Guides to Curate User-Generated Content: A Complete Guide to User-Generated Content on Instagram

Instagram has evolved beyond being just a platform for sharing pictures and short videos. Today, it’s a powerful tool for brands and creators, thanks to features like Instagram Guides, which allow users to curate a collection of content on Instagram. With the rise of user-generated content on Instagram (Instagram UGC), the guides feature has become an invaluable tool for organizing and presenting valuable content to your audience. Whether it’s through product guides, gift guides, or place guides, these curated collections help businesses engage their followers by providing a structured way to share content and offer insights.

Using IG Guides to showcase user-generated content offers a powerful content strategy that combines authenticity with the visual appeal of Instagram posts. By incorporating UGC into your Instagram content, businesses can foster trust within the Instagram community while improving brand visibility. Additionally, guides serve as a perfect platform for repurposing old content, creating longer-form, educational content, and promoting social media posts that resonate with your audience.

Instagram’s guides feature is a great way to showcase content from your favorite creators, organize visual content, and curate content for your followers. In this article, we’ll dive deep into how to create a guide, the different types of Instagram guides, and how to use them to build an effective content strategy on Instagram.

What Are Instagram Guides?

Instagram Guides are a relatively new feature that allows users to curate a collection of content on Instagram in a scrollable, shareable format. Introduced in 2020, this feature offers users the ability to create structured guides to showcase user-generated content, promote products, or provide helpful resources. Originally aimed at health and wellness creators to share educational content during the pandemic, it has since expanded to support various content types, including product guides, gift guides, and place guides.

By using Guides, you can combine different types of Instagram content—from Instagram posts to Instagram Stories and even items in the Instagram Shop—into one cohesive collection. Whether your goal is to promote your brand’s products, share helpful tips, or repost content created by your audience, Guides provide a unique way to engage your followers with longer-form content that goes beyond the traditional feed posts.

Types of Instagram Guides

Instagram offers three different types of guides:

1. Product Guides: Ideal for businesses, this type allows you to feature products directly from the Instagram Shop. You can highlight user-generated product reviews or share curated collections of products that fit specific themes, like seasonal picks or best-sellers.
2. Place Guides: Perfect for travel bloggers or local businesses, this guide type focuses on recommending locations. Whether you’re sharing top destinations or hidden gems, place guides help you organize and share insights in a visually appealing way.
3. Post Guides: This type lets you curate a collection of Instagram posts. Whether these are posts you’ve created or user-generated content, this guide allows you to group similar posts together and add your own commentary or context, making it easier for your audience to explore related Instagram content.

How to Create Your First Instagram Guide

Creating a guide is simple. Here’s how to get started:

1. Open Your Instagram Profile: Navigate to your profile and click the “+” icon, where you’ll find the option to create an Instagram guide.
2. Choose the Type of Guide: Decide whether you want to make a product guide, a place guide, or a post guide.
3. Curate Content: Select the content you want to include in your guide—this can be old content, user-generated content, or new content you’ve created for your business.
4. Add Descriptions: Once your content is selected, add a title, descriptions, and commentary to explain the purpose of the guide.
5. Share it on Your Instagram: Once you’re happy with your guide, publish it and share it with your audience. Your Instagram Guides are featured prominently on your Instagram profile, making it easy for followers to discover your curated content.

By using Insta Guides, you can improve content discovery and keep your audience engaged with content directly from Instagram.

Why User-Generated Content Matters on Instagram

In today’s digital marketing landscape, user-generated content is one of the most powerful forms of content. UGC, or content created by real users rather than brands, brings an authenticity that can be hard to achieve with traditional content marketing strategies. Consumers trust the opinions and experiences of other users more than brand-created ads, which is why Instagram UGC is so valuable for businesses looking to build trust and credibility.

One of the biggest advantages of sharing user-generated content is its ability to foster a stronger connection with the Instagram community. By highlighting posts from your followers, you not only show appreciation for their loyalty but also create a sense of belonging and engagement. Additionally, sharing UGC saves time on content creation, allowing you to focus on curating, reposting, and featuring the best content shared by your audience.

I’ve personally found that using Instagram Guides to curate user-generated content has completely changed the way I engage with my audience. For instance, I created a guide featuring customer reviews and product photos that they posted using our brand’s hashtag. The response was incredible! Not only did it build trust with new followers, but it also encouraged more customers to share their experiences, knowing that they might be featured in a guide. I saw a significant boost in engagement after this guide was published, with increased likes, comments, and even a rise in product inquiries directly from Instagram.

Benefits of User-Generated Content on Instagram

1. Builds Trust: Since UGC comes directly from real users, it’s more likely to resonate with potential customers. Featuring Instagram user-generated content in your guides can help new followers see that your products or services are well-loved by your community.
2. Encourages Engagement: When you share content from your followers, it encourages others to engage with your brand in the hopes of being featured themselves. This can lead to increased interactions on your Instagram account, including likes, comments, and shares.
3. Increases Content Variety: By curating UGC, you add a fresh perspective to your feed. This variety can be appealing to your audience, as they get to see a mix of brand-produced and user-generated content.

In 2023, 60% of marketers reported that Instagram user-generated content performed better than branded content in terms of engagement.

How to Encourage Users to Share Content on Instagram

To create a steady flow of UGC, brands need to actively encourage their followers to share content related to their products or services. Here are some tips to inspire your audience to share:

1. Create Hashtag Campaigns: One of the simplest ways to encourage UGC is by creating a unique hashtag. Promote the hashtag across your social media platforms and encourage your followers to use it when sharing their experiences. This makes it easy to find and curate their content for your Instagram Guides.
2. Offer Incentives: Offering rewards, such as discounts, shoutouts, or giveaways, can motivate users to create and share content. This is a great way to generate a buzz around your brand and increase content shared on your profile.
3. Host Contests: Encourage users to participate in photo or video contests where they showcase your products or services. This not only increases content creation but also boosts engagement with your Instagram profile.
4. Repost Their Content: By reposting UGC directly to your feed or guides, you demonstrate that you value your customers’ experiences. This positive reinforcement encourages more users to share their content, contributing to your content calendar and overall strategy.

How to Use Instagram Guides to Curate User-Generated Content

Instagram Guides are a powerful tool for brands and creators to organize and present user-generated content on IG. By creating guides that feature UGC, you can enhance your audience’s trust and offer valuable insights in a structured and easy-to-navigate format. The process of curating UGC into Insta Guides allows brands to display authentic content while boosting engagement and building community.

Curating UGC for Instagram Guides is particularly useful for brands that want to highlight customer experiences, share tips, or create collections around specific topics. Whether it’s product guides, place guides, or post guides, each format provides a unique way to showcase content from your audience and add value to your Instagram profile.

Using UGC to Build Trust and Authenticity

Incorporating Instagram user-generated content into your guides helps create a more authentic and trustworthy brand image. When followers see content created by other users—real people who have had positive experiences with your brand—it adds credibility and encourages potential customers to engage with your business. UGC also offers a fresh perspective, allowing you to diversify your Instagram content without constantly creating new material.

For example, if you run a beauty brand, you could create a product guide featuring UGC that showcases different customers using your products in their daily routines. This type of content fosters trust because it demonstrates how your product is used in real life by real people.

Steps to Curate User-Generated Content in Instagram Guides

Here’s a step-by-step guide to curating UGC into your Instagram Guides:

1. Search for Content: Start by searching for user-generated content related to your brand. You can find this content by browsing relevant hashtags or checking tagged photos and posts on your Instagram account. Pay close attention to high-quality content that resonates with your brand’s voice.
2. Choose a Guide Type: Next, decide which type of guide best suits the UGC you’ve collected. You can create a post guide to organize Instagram posts, a product guide to highlight UGC related to your offerings, or a place guide to feature customer experiences in specific locations.
3. Curate UGC: Select the posts you want to include in your guide and organize them by theme or topic. For example, you could create a gift guide showcasing the best customer-recommended products, or a place guide highlighting top locations your customers have visited.
4. Add Commentary: Personalize your guide by adding descriptions and commentary that give context to the UGC. Explain why the content is being featured and how it aligns with your brand’s values. This adds value to the guide, making it more informative and engaging for your audience.
5. Publish and Share: Once your guide is ready, publish it on your Instagram profile and promote it through your Instagram feed or Instagram Stories. Make sure to tag the users whose content you’ve featured as this not only gives them credit but also encourages more UGC contributions.

When I first started using Instagram Guides, I focused on curating existing content that had already performed well on my page. I created a gift guide featuring customer recommendations and user-generated content showcasing our products as gift ideas. This guide not only helped during the holiday season but also stayed relevant long after, serving as a go-to resource for customers. It reduced the need for constant content creation since I could repurpose content while providing a valuable resource for followers.

Best Practices for Sharing User-Generated Content with Instagram Guides

When it comes to making the most of user-generated content, knowing how to share and present it effectively is crucial. IG Guides offer an opportunity to organize UGC in a way that maximizes engagement and provides a seamless experience for your followers. However, it’s important to use a thoughtful content strategy to ensure that the Instagram content you curate aligns with your brand’s message and values.

Content Strategy and Marketing with UGC on Instagram

Developing a content strategy around UGC requires careful planning. Since Instagram user-generated content reflects real experiences and opinions, you want to ensure that the content you share is relevant and on-brand. Here are some best practices for creating a winning strategy with UGC:

1. Stay On-Brand: Not all UGC will perfectly match your brand’s image or voice. When curating content for your guides, choose posts that reflect your brand’s values and aesthetics. This ensures that the content shared through your Instagram Guides maintains consistency and resonates with your target audience.
2. Create a Content Calendar: Planning out your content calendar ensures that your guides stay fresh and relevant. Consistently updating your guides with new UGC will keep your followers engaged and excited to discover what’s next. By planning in advance, you can organize campaigns around holidays, product launches, or trending topics, keeping your content strategy dynamic.
3. Encourage UGC Contributions: Actively engage your audience by encouraging them to share their experiences. Whether you run a hashtag campaign or repost UGC on your Instagram Stories, showing that you value your followers’ contributions will inspire more people to create content. The more UGC you have to work with, the more diverse and authentic your guides will be.

How to Curate Social Media Posts Effectively

Curating social media posts for your guides requires a balance between showcasing authenticity and delivering valuable content to your followers. Here’s how you can ensure your Instagram Guides are both engaging and effective:

1. Select High-Quality Content: While authenticity is key, you also want to feature content that reflects well on your brand. Look for UGC that is visually appealing, well-composed, and captures the essence of your product or service.
2. Mix UGC and Brand Content: Blending UGC with your own brand-created posts can create a richer guide. For instance, in a product guide, you could mix user reviews and testimonials with your own product announcements or tutorials, providing a balanced view of your offerings.
3. Use Clear Categories: Organize your UGC into clear, easy-to-navigate categories. For example, if you’re curating a place guide, divide it by regions or types of locations (e.g., restaurants, landmarks, etc.). Clear organization makes it easier for your followers to find content that interests them.
4. Add Personal Commentary: Enhance the content by providing personal commentary or insights. Whether it’s a caption for a UGC post or a description of a place guide, your brand’s voice can add context and value to the content, making it more informative and engaging.
5. Promote the Guide Across Channels: Once your guide is live, promote it not just on your Instagram profile, but also across your other social media platforms. Sharing your guide on Instagram Stories, newsletters, or websites can help drive traffic and increase visibility for the UGC you’re highlighting.

Instagram Guides for Business: Leveraging UGC to Boost Engagement

For businesses, Instagram Guides present a fantastic opportunity to engage with followers and showcase user-generated content on Instagram in a meaningful way. By leveraging Instagram UGC, businesses can build deeper connections with their audience, foster trust, and encourage more interactions with their brand. Guides provide an organized, structured way to present collections of valuable content that can directly influence purchasing decisions, brand loyalty, and overall engagement.

The key to using Guides effectively is to focus on curating the type of content your audience finds most valuable. Whether you’re featuring UGC in product guides that show how real customers use your products, or compiling travel recommendations in place guides, your approach to curating content can significantly impact how users engage with your brand.

In 2023, Nike continued to leverage user-generated content through its popular Nike Run Club app. By encouraging users to share their running achievements on Instagram using the hashtag #JustDoIt, Nike successfully built a thriving community of runners. They regularly featured user-generated content in Instagram Guides, highlighting real athletes’ stories and performances. This UGC-driven strategy resulted in increased user engagement and solidified Nike’s reputation for authentic customer relationships.

Types of UGC to Include in Instagram Guides

1. Product Reviews and Testimonials: Featuring UGC that highlights customer experiences with your products adds authenticity to your marketing efforts. Whether in video format or Instagram posts, product reviews and testimonials are a great way to build trust with potential buyers.
2. Creative Product Uses: Curating UGC that shows unique or creative uses of your products can inspire other customers. For example, a fashion brand might create a guide featuring different ways customers style their products, while a tech brand could highlight unique product applications shared by users.
3. Customer Photos and Videos: Including high-quality photos and videos from customers gives your followers a look at how your products are used in the real world. By mixing in professionally produced content with user-generated photos, you create a more engaging guide.

Coca-Cola’s #ShareACoke campaign is a prime example of leveraging UGC for engagement. By encouraging users to post photos of themselves with personalized Coca-Cola bottles, the brand was able to create massive buzz and increase social media visibility. The success of this campaign showed how valuable UGC can be in increasing brand awareness and interaction.

Conclusion

Instagram Guides have transformed how brands and creators organize and present content on the platform. By curating user-generated content, businesses can showcase authentic, engaging content that fosters trust and connection within their Instagram community. Whether you’re creating product guides, place guides, or featuring social media posts from your followers, IG Guides provide a unique opportunity to build relationships and boost engagement.

Utilizing UGC in your guides not only offers a fresh perspective but also lightens the load of content creation. By blending new content with old content, brands can maintain a dynamic presence without constantly producing material from scratch. With the right content strategy, businesses can effectively use Instagram Guides to feature the best content their audience has to offer and create lasting connections that drive growth and loyalty.

By incorporating the best practices outlined in this article, you can create a well-structured, impactful guide that resonates with your audience, encourages more UGC contributions, and strengthens your brand presence on Instagram.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use Instagram Guides to feature user-generated content?

Instagram Guides let you curate content into collections that can feature user-generated content. You can create guides by selecting posts, including Instagram user-generated content, and organizing them into themes like gift guides or city guides. These collections help showcase authentic content from your audience and enhance your content plan.

What is the best way to use UGC on Instagram for business?

The best Instagram strategy for businesses using user-generated content is to create themed guides that highlight customer experiences. You can use UGC on Instagram by organizing it into Instagram Guides for your business, such as product guides, or repurpose existing content into guides that let your audience see how others are using your products or services.

Can Instagram Guides be used for different types of content?

Yes, Instagram Guides are flexible and allow you to feature various types of content. You can make guides that include how-to guides, create gift guides, or city guides depending on your needs. They also help publishers on Instagram to group relevant content for easy discovery by followers, improving engagement.

How do I create Instagram Guides that my audience will like?

To ensure your audience likes your guides, focus on including relevant content that resonates with them. Use your Instagram content calendar to plan ahead, mix new content with existing content, and regularly update your guides. Instagram guides are a collection of posts, so make sure they are well-organized and provide value to your followers.

What type of content should I include in my Instagram business guides?

For Instagram Guides for your business, include Instagram user-generated content that reflects your brand, such as customer testimonials, product reviews, or service highlights. Guides are ideal for repurposing posts into organized collections like gift guides or how-to guides, providing followers with easy access to the most relevant content on your Instagram account.

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