User-generated content (UGC) refers to any type of content that is created and shared by users on digital platforms rather than by the platforms themselves or their official contributors. This content can take a multitude of forms, including but not limited to social media posts, comments on articles, entries in discussion forums, product reviews, and other participatory media where individuals can freely express and publish their opinions and creations.
From an SEO perspective, UGC also encompasses a specific attribute within hyperlinks. When users include links in their generated content, such as in comment sections or forum discussions, the rel="UGC" attribute can be used to signal search engines that the link is part of user-generated material. This attribute helps search engines understand the nature of the link and can influence how the link is assessed in terms of trustworthiness and relevance. For instance, to mark a link as user-generated, the HTML markup would appear as <a href="http://www.example.com/" rel="nofollow UGC">Link text</a>. It is important to note that the rel="UGC" attribute is not necessary when the content is created by recognized contributors or esteemed authors, as their content is not classified as UGC.