YouTube Shorts tests new shopping and affiliate marketing features

The world’s favorite video-sharing platform is testing new online shopping features. Specifically, YouTube will roll out YouTube Shorts shopping features in the US. 

They will enable users in the United States to buy products as they browse through the short-form clips. Also, qualified content creators will have the ability to tag products from their stores. 

YouTube will test its affiliate program in the US, allowing content makers to earn commissions via purchases of recommended products in regular videos and Shorts.

How YouTube’s new marketing programs will work

Photo Credit: www.searchenginejournal.com

TikTok quickly took over the internet with its short-form video content. Eventually, it has implemented ways for viewers to become customers. 

Some clips will feature products with links to their product pages. Users may tap them to purchase those goodies immediately. 

Nowadays, other websites want to emulate TikTok’s success. That is YouTube recently launched YouTube Shorts, its version of the Chinese app’s seconds-long content. 

YouTube Shorts shopping mimics TikTok’s upgrades by directing people to branded products and services. However, it would limit the feature to the United States.

The company aims to expand access but would focus on testing first. Moreover, select content creators could tag products from their online stores. 

For example, some YouTube creators have Funko Pop or Youtooz collectibles. Users from the US, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and India see and shop using the tags.

The video-sharing platform is also experimenting with an affiliate program that lets content creators earn money as people buy recommended products on their Shorts and regular vids. 

The news came after YouTube announced that creators will receive a 45% share of advertising revenue starting in 2023. It will open applications for the YouTube Partner Program.

Users may qualify by gaining ten million views on YouTube Shorts and a thousand subscribers after more than 90 days.

Aside from YouTube Shorts shopping, the company aims to enable livestream shopping features on the platform. In other words, it will allow viewers to buy products that content creators feature in real-time videos. 

Conclusion 

YouTube Shorts shopping will soon allow users in the United States to buy products featured in the seconds-long clips. Yet, it is not the only company that is trying to improve. 

For example, Meta recently implemented changes to the Instagram Shopping tab. Also, TikTok launched TikTok LIVE, which enables livestream content. 

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