isUserGenerated

isUserGenerated is a metadata flag used by digital platforms to indicate that a given item of content was created by a user, rather than by the platform itself or by automated systems. The flag helps systems distinguish origin for purposes such as moderation, licensing, search, recommendations, and display policies.

In practice, isUserGenerated is applied to a wide range of content, including posts, comments, reviews, photos, videos, and other submissions made by individual users. Content produced by official brand accounts, platform editors, or algorithm-generated materials is typically labeled as non-user-generated. Some implementations use a boolean value isUserGenerated, while others may compute a categorical indication (for example, user, brand, or automated).

Use of the flag supports several workflows. Moderation and safety systems may treat UGC differently from platform-generated content, including applying different guidelines or filters. Licensing and rights management often distinguish UGC to clarify ownership and potential licensing terms. Indexing, ranking, and recommendations may weigh UGC differently based on authenticity signals or community engagement.

Ambiguities can arise, such as content created by automated user accounts or bots or content curated by users but partially produced by platform tools. Platforms address these distinctions in their terms of service and policies. Legally, creators generally retain ownership of their submissions, while platforms typically obtain broad rights to display, modify, or sublicense, subject to terms and privacy protections.

See also: user-generated content, content moderation, licensing, terms of service.