User-Created Content

User-created content, also called user-generated content, describes various kinds of content produced by Internet and social media users. Generally, user-created content is created by the user of a product or platform rather than the product or platform itself, represents a creative or original contribution, and is shared online and made accessible to other users. Content created by users has come to account for or shape much of the information, images, and videos that users encounter online, whether via social media or other sites. The relationship between user-created content and journalism is complicated, as user-created content can contribute to journalism, compete with it, or be used to promote and disseminate it. This entry describes the history of user contributions, defines various types of user-created content, explains ...