A Critical Review of User-Generated Content (UGC) Articles Published in CSSCI(Chinese Social Sciences Citation Index)

Purpose - This study aims to systematically review the development of user-generated content (UGC) research within Chinese academia, identifying key trends, limitations, and future research directions. Design/methodology/approach - Using 111 UGC-related articles published in CSSCI source journals from 2009 to 2025, the study conducts a systematic analysis across dimensions such as the distribution of publication years, journals, co-authorship, platform types, and the UGC lifecycle. Findings - UGC research in China has grown in distinct phases, peaking in 2024. Platform structures show “social dominance and vertical specialization,” reflecting diversified internet ecosystems. The main research focuses include content features, content optimization, user behavior, and content ecosystem development, contributing to content governance. Research implications or Originality - This study offers a novel three-dimensional framework integrating UGC lifecycle and content behavior contexts, highlighting the systemic interplay between user incentives and platform structures. It provides theoretical insights and practical governance strategies for building sustainable, participatory, and well-regulated digital content ecosystems.