Introduction
For e-commerce brands, user-generated content has become one of the most powerful ways to build trust and drive conversions. Customers are more likely to believe a “real person” talking about a product than a polished studio commercial, which is why UGC style ads dominate TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook feeds.
The challenge is obvious. Not every brand can constantly coordinate with creators, ship products for every shoot, manage approvals, and re-edit videos for each new offer. That is time-consuming, expensive, and difficult to scale when you need fresh creatives every week.
AI closes this gap by simulating UGC style content using product images, short prompts, and digital presenters. With tools like Heyoz, e-commerce teams can generate testimonial-style videos, unboxing sequences, and “talk to camera” ads without filming anything.
This article explains how AI can create UGC-style ads automatically, how to structure them for e-commerce, how talking-avatar and influencer-like creatives work, and finally, a step-by-step walkthrough of using Heyoz to build scalable UGC style ad campaigns.
Are there AI tools that create UGC-style ads automatically?
Yes, there are AI tools built specifically to create UGC style ads from simple inputs like product images, short scripts, and prompts.
These tools can:
- Simulate a person talking about your product
- Add captions for silent viewing
- Overlay benefits, testimonials, and calls to action
- Output platform-ready vertical videos for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts
Instead of coordinating with real creators, you feed the system:
- What the product is
- Who it is for
- The main problem it solves
- Any specific angle or hook you want to test
The AI then composes a video that looks and feels like a social UGC post, but is generated on demand.
How to create UGC-style video ads for e-commerce?
The structure matters more than the visuals. Strong UGC style e-commerce ads follow a familiar pattern that feels native to social feeds.
A simple structure you can use:
1. Relatable hook
- “I did not expect this to work.”
- “Here is what finally fixed my…”
- “If you also struggle with…”
2. Short problem story
- Show the pain point clearly
- Use text overlays to emphasize key phrases
3. Product reveal and demo
Show the product in use or close up
Focus on one or two key benefits
4. Quick proof or reassurance
- “I have been using it for X days.”
- Reviews, ratings, or quick testimonial lines
5. Call to action
- “Link in bio”
- “Tap to shop now.”
- “Get it before the offer ends.”
AI tools help you plug your product into this framework and generate multiple versions quickly.
Can AI create an influencer-style ad using avatars or digital actors?
AI can generate influencer-style ads by using digital actors or avatars that perform scripted lines, gestures, and expressions.
These systems can:
- Render a human-like presenter talking about your product
- Match facial expressions and lip movements to a generated script
- Change outfits, backgrounds, and overall style per brand or campaign
This is especially useful when you want:
- A consistent “brand face” across markets
- Content in multiple languages without re-shooting
- Influencer-style videos without dealing with contracts and schedules
While not a direct replacement for real influencers and their audiences, digital actors give you full creative control and infinite reusability.
How to generate talking avatar ads for Facebook / YouTube / Instagram without filming?
Talking avatar ads are built by combining three main components: a script, a digital presenter, and a layout tailored to each platform.
Typical workflow:
1. Script or prompt
- Write or generate a short script focused on one main promise
- Keep it under 20–30 seconds for social feeds
2. Avatar selection
- Choose a presenter style that matches your audience
- Decide on tone: friendly, expert, energetic, calm
3. Background and framing
- Use a simple background or product visual
- Add brand elements subtly, like logo or color accents
4. Captions and overlays
- Add captions for silent autoplay
- Highlight key phrases as text on screen
5. Export in the right format
- Horizontal for YouTube in-feed
- Vertical or 4:5 for Facebook and Instagram feeds
- Vertical for Stories and Reels
AI automates most of these steps, so you focus on the message and offer rather than editing.
Can I create UGC / unboxing-style ads using AI?
Yes, unboxing and “first impressions” style ads are perfect for AI workflows. You can generate these using staged sequences that mimic how a real user would interact with your product.
AI can:
- Simulate hands opening a box and revealing the product
- Show close-ups of packaging and details
- Add overlay text like “First impressions” or “What’s inside the box.”
- Combine this with a voice or captions that narrate the experience
For e-commerce, this works well for:
- Beauty and skincare routines
- Gadgets and accessories
- Home and kitchen tools
- Fashion items and footwear
By pairing unboxing visuals with a testimonial-style script, you get both discovery and social proof in a single creative.
How to use Heyoz to create AI UGC ads for E-commerce brands?
Here is a practical workflow for building UGC style ads using Heyoz.
Step 1: Add your product
- Go to the product section
- Upload 3–6 high-quality product images
At least one clean shot on a plain background
One or more lifestyle images in context
- Add product name, category, and a short benefit-driven description
Screenshot idea: Product page showing multiple images, name, price, and description fields.
Step 2: Choose Realistic Talking Avatar format
- Pick an actor
- Choose a voice
- Include your product in the image if you want, the avatar is able to hold the product
- Ensure the aspect ratio is set to vertical for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts
Screenshot idea: Format gallery showing UGC, testimonial, and unboxing style options.
Step 3: Define your angle and prompt
- Describe the main problem your product solves
- Specify the tone you want
“Like a friend recommending a product.”
“Honest review after 2 weeks of use”
- Mention any key phrases to include, such as “no harsh chemicals” or “fits in any bag.”
Example prompt:
“Create a UGC style review from a young professional who uses this planner to stay organized. Start with feeling overwhelmed, then show how planning with this product makes the week feel under control.”
Step 4: Generate and compare multiple variations
- Ask the system to generate several UGC style videos at once
- Look for differences in hooks, pacing, and on-screen phrasing
- Keep 2–3 that feel the most natural and native to your target platform
Step 5: Refine text, pacing, and visuals
- Tweak any captions that feel too generic
- Make sure your main benefit appears in the first few seconds
- Confirm that the product is clearly visible and recognizable
Screenshot idea: Video preview panel with caption layers and simple text editing controls.
Step 6: Export and publish
- Export the final UGC style ads in vertical format
- Upload into TikTok Ads Manager, Meta Ads Manager, or use them as organic posts
- Track performance by hook, angle, and offer to see which variation resonates
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How real do AI UGC ads look compared to real user videos?
AI UGC ads are designed to mimic real social content in pacing, framing, and text overlays. While experienced viewers may sometimes notice the difference, for short performance ads, the key is whether the message, structure, and offer resonate. When done well, they blend naturally into feeds and deliver strong results.
2. Can AI generate different personalities or avatar styles?
Yes. You can choose different presenter looks, tones, and angles, such as “enthusiastic beginner,” “calm expert,” or “busy parent.” This lets you match the style of the ad to your target audience and test which persona converts better.
3. How many product images do I need to create a UGC style ad?
In most cases, 3–6 images are enough:
- One hero image of the product
- One or two lifestyle or in-use shots
- A close-up or detail image
More assets give the system additional angles and cutaway options, but you do not need a full photo shoot to start.
4. Can AI help me create testimonial videos without asking real users?
Yes. You can generate scripted testimonial-style videos that reflect typical feedback or expected outcomes. These should always be based on honest product benefits and realistic use cases, but AI can package them into short stories that feel like a review.
5. Are AI UGC ads suitable for TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook?
They are particularly suited to these platforms because short, vertical, story-driven content is the norm. As long as the pacing is fast, the hook is clear, and the visuals feel native to each platform, AI-generated UGC style ads can perform very well in these environments.
6. Can AI create multiple variations for A/B testing?
Yes. You can generate multiple versions of:
- Hooks
- On-screen text
- Scripts and angles
- Visual pacing
This makes it simple to run creative tests and learn which approach your audience responds to before you scale spend.
7. Do AI UGC ads perform better than polished product videos?
Performance will always depend on audience, offer, and creative quality. However, for many e-commerce brands, UGC style creatives frequently outperform polished product videos because they feel more relatable, less like traditional advertising, and better aligned with social feed behavior.
Conclusion
AI has made it possible for e-commerce brands of any size to create consistent, scalable UGC style ads without constant filming or creator management. By combining clear storytelling frameworks with product images and automated video generation, you can produce testimonial, unboxing, and influencer-like content at speed.
Platforms like Heyoz give you a repeatable system for turning product ideas into trust-building creatives that are ready to launch on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and beyond.
About the author
Kevin Alster
Kevin Alster is a Strategic Advisor at Synthesia, where he helps global enterprises apply generative AI to improve learning, communication, and organizational performance. His work focuses on translating emerging technology into practical business solutions that scale.He brings over a decade of experience in education, learning design, and media innovation, having developed enterprise programs for organizations such as General Assembly, The School of The New York Times, and Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Kevin combines creative thinking with structured problem-solving to help companies build the capabilities they need to adapt and grow.