Adding shopping features to YouTube Shorts is just the beginning of YouTube’s plan to make the video platform a shopping destination. As part of its push to be an ecommerce hub, YouTube has launched a new affiliate program and is testing shopping features for creators.
YouTube’s affiliate program will allow creators to earn commissions from sales of products they recommend. The program is still in its early stages, but will eventually reach a broader pool of creators. Currently, the program is limited to creators based in the United States. However, YouTube has plans to extend it to other countries in the future.
YouTube is also testing the ability to tag products from creators’ stores. Eligible creators will be able to tag products they sell and include links in their posts to purchase those products. YouTube’s spokesperson confirmed that this feature is already being piloted with creators based in the United States.
YouTube plans to expand its shopping capabilities to other countries in the future. This will include adding an in-app shopping feature, which lets users purchase products without leaving the platform. In addition, YouTube will begin monetizing Shorts through ads. As part of its plan to make YouTube an ecommerce hub, YouTube will pay creators 45% of the ad revenue generated by Shorts.
YouTube is focusing on the best monetization opportunities for creators. This is particularly important in the short-form video world, where video content can easily be edited, captioned, and tagged. With the right tools, creators can add shopping and other features to their videos, while viewers can browse endless videos. YouTube plans to make the most of the ecommerce opportunity by adding more creators and bringing the tagging function to more countries in the future.
One of the most interesting aspects of the new shopping feature is that it will allow users to buy products while they are watching videos. YouTube plans to make the feature available to viewers in Canada, India, and Brazil. This is similar to the ability to shop on Instagram and TikTok. Users can purchase items from their favorite creators by clicking on tagged links or interacting with the products. The tagged products will appear within the YouTube app, and users can purchase products directly as they scroll through the feeds. YouTube is hoping that this new feature will help increase ad revenue.
In addition to the new shopping feature, YouTube has launched an affiliate marketing program, which will pay creators a hefty 45% of the ad revenue generated by their Shorts videos. The affiliate marketing program will allow creators to earn commissions from sales of products they recommend, and is currently being tested by a limited number of US creators. Applicants for the program must have at least 1,000 YouTube subscribers and have at least 10 million Shorts views. The program is still in its early testing phase, but is expected to expand to more creators in 2023.
YouTube isn’t the only digital giant looking to make a splash in the shopping world. TikTok recently launched an in-app shopping feature, and Instagram has recently introduced commerce to its offerings.