IMPACT OF USER-GENERATED CONTENT ON CONSUMER TRUST AND PURCHASE INTENT: Investigation with reference to Social Media Marketing

User-generated content (also known as or consumer-generated content) is original, brand-specific content created by customers and published on social media or other channels. comes in many forms, including images, videos, reviews, a testimonial, or even a podcast. Think unboxing videos shared on Tik Tok or praise-filled posts on Instagram. Your customers are usually the most prominent cohort you’ll look to gain from, either because you’ve asked for it or because they’ve organically decided to share content about your brand. The advent of the digital age has transformed the way individuals interact, communicate, and make purchasing decisions. Social media, as a pivotal component of this digital landscape, has redefined the dynamics of consumer engagement, offering a platform where users actively create and share content. In this context, user-generated content has emerged as a powerful and influential force shaping the digital marketplace. This research seeks to unravel the intricate relationship between and two fundamental aspects of consumer behavior: trust and purchase intentions.