Street interview ads vs. UGC: which should you run?
By Talk Street Media · Updated
UGC is a creator you hire filming themselves with your product, usually from a brief. A street interview ad films a stranger meeting your product for the first time. UGC is cheaper per video and quick to produce. Street interviews are harder to fake, which makes them stronger with skeptical buyers.
What's the difference between street interview ads and UGC?
| Street interview ads | UGC | |
|---|---|---|
| Who's on camera | A stranger who walked by | A creator you hired |
| Script | None. A host asks questions | Usually a brief or talking points |
| Who films it | A host and crew on location | The creator, often on their phone |
| What it's best at | Believability and first reactions | Demos, volume, and fast testing |
| Biggest risk | You can't control what people say | It can look like every other ad |
| What you end up with | One shoot cut into many ads | Usually one video per creator |
Which is cheaper, UGC or street interview ads?
UGC is usually cheaper per video. Influee puts the average single video at $150 to $212, and JoinBrands says most professional creators charge $500 to $1,200. Paid usage rights often cost extra on top of that.
A street interview shoot costs more up front, but one shoot can produce a stack of different ads. So the fairer comparison is cost per usable ad, not cost per shoot. Our cost guide goes through the numbers.
When should you choose UGC?
- You need a lot of videos fast, on a small budget.
- The product needs explaining or a step-by-step demo.
- You want a specific type of person, like a nurse, a new parent, or a golfer.
When should you choose street interview ads?
- Your audience is tired of creator content and scrolls past it.
- Your product gets a visible reaction when people try it.
- You're selling something people are skeptical about, and a stranger's approval would help.
- You want one shoot to give you many angles to test.
Can you run both?
Yes, and most brands should. They do different jobs. A street interview can stop the scroll and earn the trust, while UGC can show how the product works. A simple way to start is one street interview shoot next to the UGC you already run, then let your own numbers tell you which to scale.
Common questions
Are street interview ads considered UGC?
Not really, though they get lumped together. Both feel native to the feed, but UGC comes from a hired creator, while a street interview ad comes from a stranger and a production crew.
Do street interview ads perform better than UGC?
It depends on the product and audience, and anyone promising a universal answer is selling something. The honest way to find out is to test both against each other in your own ad account.
Talk Street Media films street interview ads and event interviews for consumer brands.
Packages start at $999.