Data as of Aug 25, 2026 · Based on 296 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
Brands AI recommends here
Named in 26% of answers
Named in 26% of answers
Named in 20% of answers
Named in 19% of answers
Source | Citation share |
|---|---|
 Usage Rights: A Guide for Business Owners | Mailchimphttps://mailchimp.com/resources/usage-rights/ | 4.2% |
 Understanding usage rights: A guide for online content compliance | Bazaarvoicehttps://www.bazaarvoice.com/blog/usage-rights-compliance/ | 4.1% |
 How to ask for permission to use other people's videos in your ...https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-ask-for-permission-to-use-other-peoples-videos-in-your-video-A-lot-of-them-arent-reachable-even-through-the-email-on-their-website-so-Im-confused | 2.9% |
 The Basics of Getting Permission - Copyright Overview by Rich Stim - Stanford Copyright and Fair Use Centerhttps://fairuse.stanford.edu/overview/introduction/getting-permission/ | 2.1% |
 Legal Risks of Using UGC in Your Videos (And How to Stay Protected)https://www.vidjet.com/blog/legal-risks-of-using-ugc-in-your-videos-and-how-to-stay-protected | 1.9% |
 How do I properly use third-party copyrighted content in my video or stream?https://www.legal.io/articles/5170616/How-do-I-properly-use-third-party-copyrighted-content-in-my-video-or-stream | 1.9% |
 How to Get Copyright Permission: 4 Steps to Get Startedhttps://nytlicensing.com/latest/methods/how-get-copyright-permission/ | 1.8% |
 Legal to use customer videos in ads?https://www.reddit.com/r/ecommerce/comments/rkhjdv/legal_to_use_customer_videos_in_ads/ | 1.7% |
 Video Advertising and Marketing Laws and Ethicshttps://www.controlshiftvideo.com/post/video-advertising-and-marketing-laws-and-ethics | 1.6% |
Understanding UGC Usage Rights & How to Request Permissionhttps://brands.joinstatus.com/ugc-usage-rights | 1.4% |
Getting the rights to use customer videos (User-Generated Content, or UGC) for advertising doesn't have to mean drowning in complex legal paperwork. The easiest and most efficient way to secure these rights comes down to a simple formula: **automate the ask, use software, or rely on explicit opt-ins.** 1. The Easiest…
Getting the rights to use customer videos (User-Generated Content, or UGC) for advertising doesn't have to mean drowning in complex legal paperwork. The easiest and most efficient way to secure these rights comes down to a simple formula: automate the ask, use software, or rely on explicit opt-ins.
If a customer posts a glowing review or video featuring your product on Instagram, TikTok, or X (Twitter), you can secure rights programmatically with a comment.
If you are scaling up and doing this regularly, manual DM requests get messy fast. Dedicated software platforms automate the heavy lifting of rights clearance, tracking, and asset management.
If you are actively sourcing videos via a contest, a review incentive, or an app upload portal, make the rights transfer a mandatory gate.
For high-value or exceptionally good customer videos, a direct, human-to-human approach is best.
Crucial Checklist: What Your Permission Must Cover
Whichever method you choose, ensure your short-form terms or agreement explicitly state:
If you'd like, let me know:
I can help you draft a ready-to-use template for your comment/DM requests!
The easiest approach is to **get a short written license/release from the customer before you use the video in an ad**. Don’t rely on “they posted it publicly” or a DM saying “sure” unless the permission clearly covers advertising. For a U.S. business, I’d use this workflow: 1. **Ask the customer for permission**
The easiest approach is to get a short written license/release from the customer before you use the video in an ad. Don’t rely on “they posted it publicly” or a DM saying “sure” unless the permission clearly covers advertising.
For a U.S. business, I’d use this workflow:
Your release should give your company a license to use:
If the customer didn't create the video themselves—for example, a videographer filmed it—the customer may not have all the copyright rights you need. You may need permission from the actual copyright owner too. 4. Keep the customer's testimonial truthful
The FTC treats a customer video used in advertising as a testimonial/endorsement in many circumstances. It needs to reflect the customer's genuine experience, and you shouldn't edit it in a way that distorts what they actually said. Federal Trade Commission Federal Trade Commission 5. Be careful with incentives
If you give the customer money, a discount, free product, or another material benefit in exchange for the testimonial, that relationship may need to be disclosed. Federal Trade Commission 6. Don't manufacture or manipulate testimonials
The FTC's consumer-review/testimonial rule has been in effect since October 21, 2024, and specifically addresses deceptive testimonials and reviews.
You can send something like:
“We loved your video and would like to use it in our advertising. Would you give [Company] permission to use, edit, and reproduce this video, including your name, image, voice, and statements, in paid and organic advertising on social media, our website, and other marketing channels? We may crop or edit the video for length and formatting, but we won't intentionally change the meaning of your statements. Please reply ‘I agree’ if you're comfortable granting us this permission.” Even better: turn that into a proper one-page UGC/video release that the customer signs electronically. That's much easier to prove later than an informal conversation.
The FTC's current guidance is a good starting point for the advertising side: ftc.gov.
This is general U.S. guidance, not legal advice. State publicity/privacy laws and the specifics of the video can matter, so for a large campaign it's worth having counsel review your release once and then reusing the approved template.
Getting rights and permissions to use customer-generated videos (UGC) in paid advertising can be done easily and legally without drowning in manual paperwork if you use the right approach. The easiest ways to secure and manage these rights range from automated software to direct, frictionless outreach: 1. **Use UGC…
Getting rights and permissions to use customer-generated videos (UGC) in paid advertising can be done easily and legally without drowning in manual paperwork if you use the right approach.
The easiest ways to secure and manage these rights range from automated software to direct, frictionless outreach:
If you'd like, let me know:
I can help you pick the best workflow or draft a custom #Yes hashtag consent policy for your brand.
Yes. The easiest approach is to treat each customer video like a small **testimonial + media release** rather than relying on a casual “sure, you can use it.” ### A simple process 1. **Ask for permission in writing.**
Yes. The easiest approach is to treat each customer video like a small testimonial + media release rather than relying on a casual “sure, you can use it.”
For a business, I'd use a short Customer Testimonial & Advertising Release that says, in substance:
“I give [Company] permission to use my video, name, likeness, voice, and statements in advertising and promotional materials, including paid digital advertising. I authorize [Company] to edit, reproduce, publish, distribute, and display the content, including on social media, websites, and advertising platforms, worldwide and for an unlimited period.” I'd also include a checkbox confirming that the customer created/owns the video or has permission from whoever owns it, and a separate acknowledgment if they're receiving compensation or anything of value.
One important wrinkle: if you're soliciting the video specifically with the possibility that it will appear in advertising, tell the customer that upfront. FTC guidance notes that this can affect how the testimonial is viewed and whether a material connection should be disclosed.
If you want, I can draft a one-page customer video release that you can send customers electronically for signature.
The easiest way to get permission to use customer videos in advertising is to create a simple **user-generated content (UGC) rights workflow** rather than asking case-by-case in informal messages. A practical process: 1. **Ask for explicit permission**
The easiest way to get permission to use customer videos in advertising is to create a simple user-generated content (UGC) rights workflow rather than asking case-by-case in informal messages.
A practical process:
Ask for explicit permission
Use a clear rights release Your permission request should state:
Collect the approval in writing Keep:
Check for third-party rights Even if the customer gives permission, confirm the video does not contain:
Use platform permission tools when available Some platforms have built-in authorization flows. For example, TikTok provides creator authorization workflows that allow brands to request permission to use creator videos as ads.
A simple permission message could say:
“Hi [Name], we love your video featuring [product]. We’d like permission to use it in our paid advertising on [platforms] for [time period]. We may edit it for length, captions, or formatting. You’ll be credited as [credit preference]. If you agree, please reply confirming you grant us permission to use this video for these purposes.”
For a small business, a spreadsheet plus a standard release form is often enough. For larger ad programs, UGC rights-management tools can help track approvals, usage limits, and expiration dates.
If you are running paid ads, it is worth having a lawyer review your release template because the exact rights you need depend on your country, industry, and how broadly you plan to use the videos.
Getting the rights to use customer-generated videos (User-Generated Content or UGC) legally and smoothly comes down to securing clear, documented permission before your ads go live. Here is an easy, step-by-step roadmap to get those rights locked…
Getting the rights to use customer-generated videos (User-Generated Content or UGC) legally and smoothly comes down to securing clear, documented permission before your ads go live. Here is an easy, step-by-step roadmap to get those rights locked down:
#YesBrandName or #UseMyVideo ). Reply to the customer's post with your hashtag. If they reply back using that hashtag, your automated terms give you the baseline rights to reuse the content.Would you like me to draft a ready-to-use permission request message or a simple written release template you can send to your customers?
Getting the rights to use customer videos doesn't have to be a legal headache. The easiest way to secure rights is by using automated tools or a clear, standardized **User-Generated Content (UGC)** workflow.[[1]](https://blog.codinghorror.com/youtube-vs-fair-use/)[[2]](https://flockler.com/blog/ugc-display-api) Here…
Getting the rights to use customer videos doesn't have to be a legal headache. The easiest way to secure rights is by using automated tools or a clear, standardized User-Generated Content (UGC) workflow.
Here is how you can easily get rights and permissions:
#Yes[BrandName] ). Once the customer replies with that hashtag, the platform legally logs their consent and archives the permission for you.Would you like me to help you draft a custom permission DM template and hashtag consent terms for your brand?
Yes. The easiest approach is to make **permission to use customer videos part of your normal testimonial process**, rather than asking for rights ad hoc later. ### A simple process 1. **Get written permission before using the video in an ad.**
Yes. The easiest approach is to make permission to use customer videos part of your normal testimonial process, rather than asking for rights ad hoc later.
Get written permission before using the video in an ad.
Have the customer agree that your company may use the video, their name/likeness, voice, and statements for advertising and marketing.
Make the permission broad enough for your actual plans.
Ideally cover:
Get permission from everyone who needs to give it.
If other identifiable people appear in the video, don't assume the customer can authorize their likeness. Get releases from them too. Be particularly careful with children.
Keep the original video and the signed consent together.
Maintain a simple record showing exactly what was authorized, when, and by whom. This becomes very valuable if the customer later asks where the video is being used.
Don't alter the testimonial in a misleading way.
The FTC says endorsements must reflect the customer's honest experience and can't be edited or presented out of context in a way that distorts their opinion.
Handle compensation carefully.
If you're paying or otherwise incentivizing the customer in connection with the testimonial, the relationship may need to be disclosed in the advertising. The FTC specifically notes that even an expected benefit for being featured can potentially be a material connection.
For future customer videos, put a Video Testimonial Release directly into the submission flow. For example:
“By submitting this video, I authorize [Company] to use, reproduce, edit, publish, and display this video, my name, likeness, voice, and statements in advertising and promotional materials, including paid digital advertising and social media, worldwide.”
Then include a checkbox confirming that the customer has the authority to grant those rights.
Important: A release solves the permission/rights problem, but it doesn't automatically make the advertisement legally compliant. Customer testimonials still need to be truthful, substantiated where they make product claims, and appropriately disclosed when there's a material connection. The FTC's current rules and guidance are worth reviewing.
If you're in the U.S., I can also give you a short, business-friendly customer video release form designed specifically for paid advertising.
Getting rights to use customer-generated videos (UGC) doesn't have to be a legal headache. The easiest way is using a structured, automated approach rather than chasing people down in direct messages.[[1]](https://getflowbox.com/blog/ugc-video/) Here is how you can easily secure those rights: 1. **Use a Rights…
Getting rights to use customer-generated videos (UGC) doesn't have to be a legal headache. The easiest way is using a structured, automated approach rather than chasing people down in direct messages.
Here is how you can easily secure those rights:
Would you like me to share a plug-and-play DM/comment template you can use to ask customers for permission, or do you need recommendations for a UGC software tool based on your budget?
The easiest approach is to treat every customer video as something you **license for advertising**, rather than assuming that because the customer gave you the video—or posted it publicly—you can use it in paid ads. A simple process: 1. **Ask for explicit written permission.**
The easiest approach is to treat every customer video as something you license for advertising, rather than assuming that because the customer gave you the video—or posted it publicly—you can use it in paid ads.
A simple process:
Ask for explicit written permission.
Get a short “testimonial/video release” that says the customer gives your company permission to use their video, image, voice, name, and statements in advertising and marketing.
Give yourself the rights you actually need.
Ideally, the release covers:
Get the permission before running the ad.
A signed electronic release is much cleaner than relying on a DM or verbal “sure.” Also keep the original video and the signed authorization together in your records.
Make sure the testimonial itself is legitimate.
The customer's statements should reflect their actual experience. Don't edit a video in a way that changes its meaning, and don't have the customer make claims you can't substantiate. U.S. FTC guidance says endorsements/testimonials must be truthful and not misleading.
Handle compensation/incentives carefully.
If you pay the customer, give them free products/services, or provide another incentive, that relationship can require disclosure when the testimonial is used. The FTC says material connections between an endorser and marketer should be disclosed, and disclosures in video content need to be sufficiently noticeable.
For most businesses, I'd make a one-page digital release and send it immediately after a customer agrees to provide a testimonial:
“We'd love to feature your video in our marketing. This release gives [Company] permission to use your video, name, likeness, voice, and testimonial in paid and organic advertising.”
Then have the customer check/sign electronically.
One important distinction: permission to post a customer's video on your social media isn't necessarily the same thing as permission to use it in paid advertising. Your release should specifically say “paid advertising” and identify the platforms/channels broadly enough to cover your campaigns.
If you're operating in the U.S., I can also give you a simple one-page customer video release template that covers the important advertising rights without turning it into an intimidating legal document.
