When we’re scrolling through product pages—whether it's for the perfect pair of socks or a new phone case—there’s something undeniably more persuasive about seeing a photo of someone actually using the item. That raw, real-life proof often says more than a hundred glowing words. This is where photo reviews truly shine. In fact, as these photo reviews vs text reviews CTR statistics show, visuals don’t just help tell a story—they drive action, clicks, and purchases in ways text-only reviews rarely can. I’ve spent time curating the most insightful, research-backed stats to show just how powerful a single image can be in turning browsers into buyers.
Top 20 Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics 2025 (Editor's Choice)
# | Audience / Industry | Statistics |
---|---|---|
1 | E-commerce shoppers | Photo/video reviews lead to a 106% higher conversion rate vs. text-only reviews. |
2 | Fashion & lifestyle brands | 4× higher conversion rate observed on product pages with image/video reviews. |
3 | General consumers | 60% of users consider UGC with photos 3× more authentic than brand-created content. |
4 | Online shoppers | 65% of consumers find photo reviews more helpful than plain text reviews. |
5 | Psychology researchers | Photos improve review helpfulness when aligned with the text message. |
6 | Retail SEO marketers | Adding images to older reviews boosts visibility and discoverability. |
7 | Marketing campaigns | Visual content improves CTR by 27% in ads and landing pages. |
8 | Content marketing | Articles with images get 94% more views than those without visuals. |
9 | Advertising agencies | UGC-based ads deliver 4× higher CTR and 50% lower CPC. |
10 | D2C brands | Landing pages with photo reviews see an 80% boost in conversions. |
11 | E-commerce platforms | UGC boosts website conversions by 29% compared to non-UGC formats. |
12 | Consumer review analysts | Text-only reviews still dominate, but photo reviews lean more positive in sentiment. |
13 | Behavioral psychologists | Photo reviews enhance helpfulness for positive tones but reduce it in negative ones. |
14 | Online retail (cross-category) | Visual UGC drives 29% more conversions across retail websites. |
15 | Online shoppers (global) | 99.9% read reviews; visual ones tend to influence more quickly. |
16 | U.S. online consumers | 91% consult reviews before purchase; visuals accelerate trust. |
17 | Apparel and accessories | Consumers are 3× more likely to click reviews with images when shopping for fashion. |
18 | Mobile commerce users | Photo reviews increase mobile product page dwell time by 35%. |
19 | Review platforms | Reviews with visuals receive 2.3× more upvotes than text-only ones. |
20 | Tech-savvy Gen Z users | Photo/video reviews boost purchase likelihood by up to 38%. |
Top 20 Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics 2025
Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#1 – 106% Higher Conversion Rate from Photo/Video Reviews
Photo and video reviews lead to a 106% increase in conversion rates compared to text-only reviews. This suggests that visuals significantly impact purchase decisions by building immediate trust and reducing uncertainty. Users who view these rich media reviews are more confident in the product’s quality and fit. For fashion and e-commerce brands, this provides a strong incentive to encourage visual UGC. This uplift makes photo reviews a top-performing asset in increasing CTRs and conversions.
Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#2 – 4× Higher Conversion Rate on Product Pages with Visual Reviews
Pages with photo or video reviews see a 4× higher conversion rate than those with only text reviews. This stat underscores the power of visuals in influencing buyer behavior at the decision-making stage. Visual reviews help shoppers better imagine the product in real life, reducing friction. It also implies longer page interaction and higher engagement. For e-commerce marketers, including visual reviews isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#3 – 60% of Users Trust Photo UGC 3× More Than Brand Content
60% of consumers find photo-based UGC three times more trustworthy than traditional brand-created content. The authenticity and real-life context offered by user-submitted images make them feel more genuine. This trust translates into higher click-through rates and conversions. Brands leveraging photo reviews tap into social proof in its most powerful form. It’s an emotional trust-driver that outperforms polished marketing visuals.
Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#4 – 65% of Consumers Prefer Photo Reviews Over Text
About 65% of consumers say that reviews with photos are more helpful than those with just text. This reveals a strong user preference for visual validation when considering purchases. These reviews reduce guesswork, especially in fashion or sizing-based decisions. More helpful reviews also receive more clicks and attention, indirectly boosting CTR. Offering visuals alongside text enhances the perceived value of every review.
Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#5 – Photos Increase Helpfulness When Aligned With Text
Photos that align with the review’s written content significantly increase the perceived helpfulness of the review. This alignment reassures shoppers that both content types are authentic and complementary. It also leads to longer review engagement time, which can correlate with increased clicks. Misaligned visuals, however, may confuse users or reduce trust. This stat reinforces the importance of relevance in visual UGC, not just presence.
Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#6 – Adding Photos to Old Reviews Boosts Visibility
Older text reviews that are updated with photos become more visible and discoverable in search results. This added visibility increases traffic and click-through rates to product pages. Google often gives preference to multimedia-rich content, especially in e-commerce. For businesses, this is an easy win—enhancing existing content without starting from scratch. CTR increases from this strategy are both organic and sustained.
Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#7 – 27% Higher CTR from Visual Content in Ads
Marketing campaigns that use visual content experience a 27% higher click-through rate on average. While this includes more than just reviews, it proves that visuals drive action. Photo reviews serve as social proof and visual content simultaneously. Integrating them into ad creatives can enhance both performance and credibility. It’s a perfect blend of engagement and trust-building that increases CTR.

Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#8 – 94% More Views for Articles with Images
Articles that include images get 94% more views compared to text-only content. This stat applies across industries and underlines human preference for visual-first content. On review pages, photo reviews mimic this same behavior by drawing the eye and increasing time on page. More views naturally correlate with more clicks and interactions. For content-rich shopping platforms, this is a critical insight.
Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#9 – 4× Higher CTR and 50% Lower CPC in UGC Ads
Ads using user-generated content, like photo reviews, deliver a 4× higher CTR and a 50% drop in cost-per-click. This means you pay less and get more performance by incorporating visuals from actual users. These ads are more relatable and less likely to trigger ad fatigue. Shoppers are more likely to click when the imagery feels real and grounded. It's an unbeatable CTR booster when executed well.
Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#10 – 80% More Conversions from Visual Landing Pages
Landing pages that include user photos or visual reviews can experience an 80% uplift in conversion rates. This is especially effective in apparel, footwear, and accessories industries. Shoppers want to see real-world usage before clicking "Buy." These pages not only get more traffic but also more decisive action. Visual reviews anchor emotional decisions in reality.
Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#11 – 29% More Website Conversions via UGC
User-generated content, including photo reviews, leads to 29% more conversions on websites. Higher conversions are often preceded by better engagement, longer browsing, and more clicks. UGC reviews drive both informational and emotional appeal. This creates a pathway to higher CTR through trust and relatability. For any brand, this should be a key motivation to prioritize visuals.
Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#12 – Text Reviews Dominate, But Photos Skew More Positive
While text-only reviews still make up the bulk of online feedback, photo reviews are more likely to be positive. This is important because positive sentiment correlates with higher CTR. When shoppers see smiling customers or satisfied usage visuals, they’re more likely to click and buy. The skew toward positivity can also influence overall brand perception. Including photo reviews enhances both experience and performance.
Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#13 – Helpful for Positive Reviews, Harmful for Negative Ones
Photos can increase the perceived helpfulness of positive or hedonic reviews but may backfire in negative contexts. For brands, this means curating which photo reviews are most visible is key. Displaying too many negative photo reviews may deter clicks. Positive photo content reinforces desirability and boosts click-through performance. The strategic use of visuals is more important than just having them.

Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#14 – Visual UGC Drives 29% More Conversions
UGC that includes visuals drives 29% more conversions than standard text-based content. This stat backs up the trend that people buy what they can visually confirm. The power of visual storytelling in reviews brings products to life. This inevitably leads to more clicks, especially when placed near key conversion areas. Brands should prioritize photo reviews in high-intent zones.
Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#15 – 99.9% of Shoppers Read Reviews (Visual Ones Stand Out)
Almost all shoppers (99.9%) read reviews before purchasing—and visuals help break through the noise. A sea of text reviews makes photo content stand out dramatically. These reviews are often the first clicked due to their eye-catching nature. CTR benefits from standing out visually among uniform listings. In this saturated space, photos offer a psychological anchor.
Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#16 – 91% Use Reviews, Photos Speed Up Trust
91% of online shoppers use reviews before making a purchase, and photo reviews shorten the trust-building process. When users quickly trust what they see, they click faster and more confidently. This acceleration contributes directly to better CTRs and reduced bounce rates. It also supports quicker funnel progression in high-competition niches. Visual reviews act like a shortcut to shopper assurance.
Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#17 – 3× More Clicks for Fashion Photo Reviews
Consumers are 3× more likely to click on photo reviews than text reviews when shopping for fashion items. Seeing how clothes look on real people reduces sizing anxiety and styling doubts. The human element builds connection and triggers faster decision-making. These clicks often happen earlier in the shopping process, increasing chances of conversion. Fashion brands benefit immensely from enabling visual reviews.
Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#18 – 35% Longer Dwell Time on Mobile Due to Photo Reviews
Mobile product pages with photo reviews experience 35% longer average dwell time. More time spent means higher exposure and more chances to click through related offers. This deeper interaction also improves remarketing performance. It reflects user interest and curiosity sparked by real-world visuals. CTR rises as visual content captures more attention span on smaller screens.
Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#19 – 2.3× More Upvotes for Photo Reviews
Photo reviews receive 2.3× more upvotes and positive feedback from other users than text-only reviews. This suggests higher engagement, which often increases the review’s visibility on platforms. More visibility leads to more impressions and, consequently, higher CTR. Popular reviews often get algorithmically promoted or floated to the top. Encouraging photo reviews boosts both engagement and click flow.

Photo Reviews vs Text Reviews CTR Statistics#20 – 38% More Likely to Buy After Seeing Photo Reviews
Shoppers are up to 38% more likely to purchase after seeing photo or video reviews, especially Gen Z. The visual context fills gaps that text can’t cover, such as material, fit, or real-life usage. This intent-driving content leads to more deliberate and confident clicking. In younger demographics, visual reviews are often non-negotiable. Brands ignoring this are missing out on a high-CTR gateway.
Why Brands Can’t Ignore Visual Reviews Anymore
Let’s be real: we live in a visual-first world. If you’re a brand relying solely on written reviews, you’re likely leaving serious clicks—and conversions—on the table. These stats make it clear that photo reviews don’t just boost credibility; they light a fire under engagement. From higher CTRs to longer dwell time, the numbers consistently lean in favor of imagery. Whether you're selling socks, skincare, or something else entirely, encouraging visual feedback could be the game-changer your product pages need.
Sources
https://www.powerreviews.com/complete-guide-ratings-reviews-2023/
https://stampedsupport.stamped.io/hc/en-us/articles/10072906662171-Photo-Video-Reviews
https://www.bazaarvoice.com/blog/user-generated-content-statistics-to-know/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0261517722000723
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00222437231169711
https://www.sproutworth.com/visual-content-marketing-statistics/
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/images-in-blog-posts-tips
https://appagent.com/blog/ugc-filming-guide/
https://trustmary.com/reviews/online-reviews-statistics-that-will-blow-your-mind/
https://www.everyonesocial.com/blog/user-generated-content-statistics/
https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/13/7/344
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022435923000386
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/on-page-seo/image-optimization/
https://www.powerreviews.com/how-visual-ugc-became-fundamental/
https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics
https://www.reviewinsights.pro/benefits-customer-reviews-with-photos-videos/
https://reviewtrackers.com/reports/online-reviews-survey/
https://www.oberlo.com/statistics/user-generated-content-statistics
https://www.wyzowl.com/video-marketing-statistics/