Define Consumer Generated Media

Consumer generated media is a phrase used to describe content on the Internet that is created by the general public, rather than by a company's marketing department. Through consumer generated media, anyone can comment on products, services and more.

Blogs are one form of consumer generated media.

Places Found

• Consumer generated media is found on blogs, social networking sites, message boards, forums and review sites. According to a study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, 44 percent of online consumers have created their own content online.

Benefits

• Because they are created outside a company, opinions expressed through consumer generated media are often considered more trustworthy than those expressed through traditional advertising. It is also considerably less expensive than traditional means of marketing. In consumer generated media, many people have an opportunity to comment on a product, which can result in better products in the future.

Disadvantages

• Unlike traditional advertising, marketers are unable to control consumer generated media. The public is free to make negative comments as well as positive comments, and the negative comments can be far reaching, depending on the site where they are posted.