YouTube has unveiled its much-anticipated Shopping Affiliate Program in India, opening up a new revenue stream for content creators across the country. Through this program, Indian YouTubers can now earn commissions by promoting products (currently from Flipkart and Myntra only) in their videos via affiliate links, making it easier than ever for creators to monetize their content and for viewers to directly shop featured products.
The YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program allows creators to tag (embed affiliate links for) products they feature or review in their videos (long-form, Shorts, and livestreams). When viewers click these links they will be redirected to Flipkart or Myntra, and when they make a purchase, creators earn a percentage of the sale as commission, providing a seamless way to generate income.
This program is particularly beneficial for creators focused on product reviews, unboxings, tech recommendations, lifestyle, fashion, and beauty, where product suggestions are common and often influence buying decisions. It also removes the need for creators to seek external affiliate partnerships or sponsorships, as everything is managed within YouTube’s platform. However, as this YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program supports only 2 brands currently, you can go for the Cuelinks Affiliate Marketing Network which is free to join and includes 1000+ Brands with the Highest Commission Rates in the affiliate market! Also helps if you are Ineligible!
The affiliate program is an excellent opportunity for Indian YouTubers, both big and small, to diversify their income streams. Unlike traditional sponsorships, which are generally limited to high-reach influencers, this program is open to a broader range of creators, making affiliate marketing accessible to those with smaller audiences but highly engaged followers. The transparency and simplicity of affiliate links, along with the potential to earn on each sale, can lead to a steady income for creators who build trust and offer reliable product suggestions.
How to Setup the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program in a YouTube Channel?
- Open ‘YouTube Studio’
- From the bottom menu, select ‘Earn’
- If you’re eligible, a section for the ‘YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program’ should be present
- Select ‘Get started’
- At the bottom of the screen, click ‘Turn On’
- Review and Accept the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program Terms of Service. Done!
For viewers, the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program introduces a streamlined shopping experience. When watching a product review, demo, or fashion haul, users can now click affiliate links to purchase the items they see directly, saving them time spent searching for the products themselves. With affiliate links embedded within YouTube, viewers have access to quick, reliable options without navigating away from the platform. This ease of access also reinforces YouTube’s appeal as a one-stop shop for both entertainment and product discovery.
Eligibility Requirements for YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program India
- There will be a Subscriber Threshold for your YouTube Channel which should be fulfilled. For instance, if your Subscriber Threshold is 500 Subscribers then you are eligible only if you have more than 500 Subscribers.
- Monetization Approval
- Kids oriented and Music/Official Artist channels are banned from this program
- No Community Guideline Strikes should be there especially in the sensitive policy areas
YouTube has increasingly positioned itself as more than just a video-sharing platform. With new shopping integrations like shoppable livestreams, product tagging, and now the Shopping Affiliate Program, YouTube is becoming a significant player in the e-commerce space. For brands and advertisers, this offers a new avenue to reach consumers directly through trusted creators, making it easier to leverage influencer marketing and connect with an engaged audience.
As YouTube rolls out this new affiliate feature, Indian creators have more reason to celebrate and innovate. The YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program incentivizes creators to produce valuable content while offering a practical way to generate passive income. For creators with an established audience, the program could lead to lucrative partnerships with brands, and for emerging creators, it provides an accessible way to start earning and increase visibility.
How to Tag Products in YouTube Videos and Shorts?
- While uploading the video, select ‘Tag Products’.
- Select from Recommended Products or search for them.
- You can also select ‘Sellers’ and choose your favorite brands.
- You will see the product images, prices, and commission rates (depends on product and brand).
- Select your desired products and submit.
If users select your tagged product and shop for it or other products or many of them, you will be paid for the entire order, not only the tagged product order! Also, you will get your commission amount within 60-120 days from the date of transaction so make a note! You can even make a dedicated video of the tagged product and showcase it, just like Live Video Shopping on Amazon and Flipkart! This is useful for your already uploaded popular videos. Besides, after visiting the product link, users can shop within the cookie period days for you to get paid!
The arrival of YouTube’s Shopping Affiliate Program in India is set to transform the landscape of content creation and shopping in the country. Indian YouTubers are now empowered to turn their influence into income, while audiences enjoy a seamless shopping experience. This integration reaffirms YouTube’s dedication to supporting its creators and evolving into a shopping-friendly space for today’s digital audience.
Sahil Ajmera is content writer with more than 7 years of work experience in field of Affiliate Marketing, Digital Marketing, etc. He loves saving money on everything. His aim is to get readers exactly what they are looking for and that too without wasting much of their time. Whatever he is writing on, you are sure to find a way to earn & save good!
