Shorts soon to get affiliate shopping – YouTube follows TikTok’s lead
Image Credit: YouTube
YouTube Shorts shopping, similar to TikTok and Instagram, will let creators link directly to products through affiliate marketing on YouTube.
YouTube is testing affiliate marketing on YouTube Shorts. Creators in the US will soon be able to tag their products, and users in Australia, Brazil, Canada, India and the US will be able to shop through Shorts in-app.
In the near future YouTube will allow creators to earn commission on products recommended via links in their Shorts and long form videos, The Financial Times reports. Viewers will be able to tap through to buy products promoted in the video.
YouTube is calling it an “endorsement model” rather than a paid-placement or advertising one. Long-term, YouTube wants to promote the platform as a means to support a business, as well as providing new revenue streams for creators.
YouTube’s investment in shopping mirrors TikTok and Instagram’s success with shopping features. TikTok Shopping recently arrived in the US, previously only available in the UK and several Asian markets. They got the jump on YouTube, just in time for the holiday season.
A Short isn’t a long chance to make a sale, but if the opportunity rolls out fully influencers should seize on the chance to make extra revenue. There’s future potential for artists here; think music production gear or instruments.
The announcement follows on from YouTube’s big announcements to completely overhaul the monetisation of Shorts, again in a bid to rival TikTok.