YouTube New Update | Affiliate Program
Science & Technology
Introduction
YouTube is expanding its monetization options for creators through a new affiliate program, enabling users to earn commissions by tagging products in their videos. This initiative targets various content creators, but channels specifically aimed at children, music channels, or official artist channels are not eligible to participate.
Before participating, it’s essential to ensure that your channel adheres to community guidelines, meaning it must not have received any strikes for sensitive policy violations. This includes avoiding any content that could lead to community guideline strikes.
Tagging Products in Videos
When uploading a video, creators can tag products by navigating to the product tagging section. This allows you to view a dropdown menu showcasing various stores from different sellers. You can search for specific products directly and observe their total price and commission rate—the latter being a percentage of the total price, which will determine your earnings.
To tag products, simply select the items that align with your video content. If you need to remove a tagged product, this can be done by clicking the trash icon next to it. If you've included links in the video description, suggestions to stack related products may appear automatically.
Live Stream Product Tagging
Creatively tagging products during live streams is also possible. Here’s how to effectively promote products while engaging live audiences:
- Set up a live stream: From your desktop, access the Control Room after going live.
- Access the Shopping tab located below the live stream preview.
- Search for and select products, adding them to the stream with the plus icon.
- Pin a specific product to highlight it during the stream.
During mobile streams, simply tap the Shopping button followed by pinning the desired product.
When viewers interact with the Shopping button, they can get more information and options to purchase while watching your live content. Notably, if a viewer clicks on a tagged product but decides to purchase a different item, you will still earn a commission based on their entire shopping experience.
Payment and Commission Structure
Payments will be processed through your AdSense account, typically set at a minimum of Rs. 60, and it may take up to 120 days to finalize payments. This waiting period accounts for product returns, which can affect the final commission earned. Some brands might offer different conversion windows, allowing for commission to be earned even if purchases occur more than 30 days after clicking a link.
It’s crucial to only tag products that are clearly visible and relevant to your content and to ensure they are used as intended, according to manufacturer recommendations. Always inform your audience about the tagged products when creating new content, and consider tagging products in older, popular videos for additional revenue opportunities.
Revenue Insights
Creators can track their earnings and performance through the YouTube studio. To review your affiliate performance, visit the earnings page and click ‘Show’ to view detailed insights, including estimated clicks, total orders, and highest-earning products.
Keyword
- YouTube
- Affiliate program
- Product tagging
- Commission
- Community guidelines
- Live streaming
- Payment structure
- Earnings insights
FAQ
Q1: What types of channels are eligible for the YouTube affiliate program?
A1: Channels must not be specifically targeted toward children, music channels, or official artist channels to participate in the affiliate program.
Q2: How do I tag products in my videos?
A2: You can tag products in your videos by going to the product tagging section during video upload and selecting items from the dropdown menu or directly searching for them.
Q3: Will I earn commission if a viewer purchases a different product?
A3: Yes, you will earn commission based on the total value of all products purchased by the viewer after clicking on your tagged link.
Q4: How long does it take to receive payment from YouTube?
A4: Payments are typically processed through your AdSense account and can take up to 120 days to finalize due to return policies and other factors.
Q5: Can I tag products in live streams?
A5: Yes, you can tag and pin products during live streams, making them prominently featured and accessible for viewers to purchase while watching.