Studio shots vs. creator content: what performed better?
One of the most common questions we get: “Should we shoot this in a studio or use UGC?”
The truth is, both have their place — but in this case, creator content crushed it.
Here’s what happened when a lifestyle brand tested two versions of the same ad.
The test
Product: Luxury hair oil
Audience: Women 25–40, Instagram and Facebook
Goal: Drive traffic to product page and increase conversions
Version A: Studio ad
Clean white backdrop
Product close-ups in soft light
Minimalist motion graphics
Calm music and voiceover
Version B: Creator ad
Creator talking directly to camera
Handheld application demo in natural light
Raw voice + captions
Ends with: “You need to try this — seriously”
The results
Engagement rate: +70% on the creator version
Click-through rate: 2.3x higher
Cost per click: 40% lower
ROAS: +1.8x improvement
Why the creator version won
It felt real and personal
The viewer saw themselves in the scenario
Trust built quickly — it felt like a recommendation, not an ad
Hook came faster, and CTA was more natural
What the brand learned
Polished doesn’t always mean powerful. For paid social, relatability wins. The audience didn’t want to be impressed — they wanted to believe.
Takeaway
Studio content has its place, especially for landing pages or product displays. But for scroll-stopping, trust-building performance? Creator-led ads are often your best bet.
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