UGC hooks for brands
The best UGC doesn't feel like an ad for the first three seconds. These hooks sound like a person with an opinion, which is exactly why they get watched.
Updated September 29, 2026
Honest review
- I've been using product for time. Here's my honest review.
- I didn't want to like product. I really didn't.
- Is product actually worth it? Let's talk.
- Things I wish I knew before buying product.
- Unpopular opinion: product is surprising take.
- I bought product so you don't have to.
Before and after
- This is what my thing looked like before product.
- Time ago I was before. Today I after.
- Same thing, two weeks apart. The only difference: product.
- I tracked my metric for 30 days with product. Results:
- What time of using product actually did.
- Before you expensive fix, try this.
Answer the objection
- “Isn't product just a cheaper thing?” No, and here's why.
- I thought product was a scam. Then I tried it.
- The one thing nobody tells you about product.
- Why is product so expensive? I figured it out.
- Does product actually work for specific person? I tested it.
- Replying to @comment: yes, it really result.
Relatable moment
- Me pretending I have my life together vs me after product.
- When your friend / partner asks why you're behavior:
- Nobody: … Me at time using product:
- The product I bring everywhere, and the reason is a little embarrassing.
- Things in my room / bag / routine that just make sense.
- If you relatable struggle, I found the fix.
Recommendation
- My friend / sister made me try this and now I get it.
- Product is the best time / money I spent this year.
- Things I'd buy again with no hesitation: #1 product.
- Gift idea for anyone who trait.
- The category that finally worked for me.
- Stop scrolling if you've been looking for a category.
How to use these hooks
- Let creators say the hook in their own words. A hook read off a script sounds like an ad in the first second.
- Pair the spoken hook with on-screen text that says the same thing more briefly.
- Brief two or three hooks per creator and ask for each as a separate take. The body stays the same, so testing is free.
More hooks
All hook typesThe 9 kinds of hooks, with templatesHooks for app videos35 fill-in-the-blank hooks for app marketing on TikTok, Reels and ShortsTikTok slideshow hooks30 first-slide hooks for TikTok and Instagram carousel slideshowsStorytelling hooks25 storytelling hook templates for TikTok, Reels and ShortsEducational hooks25 educational and myth-busting hook templates for short-form video
Questions
What makes a good UGC hook?
It sounds like a person with an opinion, names who it's for, and makes a promise the rest of the video keeps. “I didn't want to like this” works because it's honest and sets up a story.
Should I write the hook for UGC creators or let them choose?
Give them 2 to 3 hook ideas and let them phrase it their way. You get the angle you want without the script-reading tone that kills UGC.
How long should a UGC hook be?
One sentence, said in under 3 seconds. If it needs a second sentence to make sense, it's not the hook yet.