YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program
Education
Introduction
The YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program allows creators to tag products from a variety of brands and retailers in their content, providing viewers with a seamless shopping experience while enabling creators to earn commissions on purchases made through their links. In this article, we will explore how this program functions, its eligibility requirements, the process for tagging products, and how you can track your earnings.
How the Program Works
When creators tag products in their videos, Shorts, or live streams, a shopping button appears for viewers to click. This feature allows fans to browse featured products without leaving the watch page. Upon clicking a product, viewers are redirected to the merchant's site, and if a purchase is made, the creator earns a commission on the entire transaction.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program, your channel must meet specific criteria:
- You must have surpassed the subscriber threshold and be approved for monetization.
- Channels made for kids, music channels, or official artist channels are not eligible.
- Ensure that your channel does not have Community guideline strikes in sensitive policy areas.
- Tags for affiliate products will not appear on videos containing claimed content.
Tagging Products
Tagging in Videos and Shorts
To tag products in your Shorts, you can do so during the upload process by navigating to the tagging section. Here, you can explore stores available from different sellers or search for specific brands and products. Each product will display its price and the corresponding commission rate, which is a percentage of the total sale. You can tag up to 30 products. To remove a product, simply click the trash icon next to it. You also have the option to tag products in existing videos by going to the Content tab in YouTube Studio.
Tagging in Live Streams
In live streams, creators can feature tagged products prominently by pinning them during the stream. To tag products in mobile live streams, tap the shopping button during setup, while on a desktop, navigate to the live control room. You can tag up to 30 products in your live stream, and you can pin one product to feature it prominently.
Commission and Payments
Commission is earned on the entire basket size when a viewer clicks on a product tag and makes a purchase. Payments are processed through your AdSense account, usually between 60 to 120 days following a purchase, accounting for returns and the payment timeline. If a viewer returns an item, any earned commission will be reversed. Some brands allow commissions to be earned for up to 30 days after a viewer clicks on a tagged product.
Best Practices for Tagging Products
- Only tag products that are easily identifiable and prominently featured in your content.
- Ensure that products tagged are used safely and as intended.
- Encourage viewers to check out your tagged products, especially in popular videos.
- Familiarize yourself with restrictions related to your content to ensure compliance.
Tracking Earnings
Creators can track their earnings in YouTube Studio by navigating to Analytics, then Revenue, and selecting the affiliate chip section. In this area, you can view estimated revenue, product clicks, number of orders, total sales, top earning products, and top earning content.
The YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program is a fantastic opportunity for creators to monetize their content while sharing products they love, ultimately enhancing the viewing experience for their audience. For more detailed information, refer to the provided resources in the description.
Keywords
YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program, tag products, commissions, eligibility requirements, monetize, tracking earnings, best practices, video content, live streams, shopping experience.
FAQ
What is the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program?
- It is a program that allows creators to tag products in their content and earn commissions on sales made through those tags.
What are the eligibility requirements for the program?
- Creators must meet the subscriber threshold, be approved for monetization, and not have channels made for kids or focused on music.
How many products can I tag in my content?
- You can tag up to 30 products per video, short, or live stream.
How do I track my earnings from the affiliate program?
- Earnings can be tracked in YouTube Studio under Analytics, by selecting Revenue and then the affiliate chip section.
When will I receive payment for commissions earned?
- Payments are typically processed within 60 to 120 days after a purchase is made, allowing time for returns and other factors.