India’s creators now have more ways than ever to monetize content. With the recent launch of the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program and the established Cuelinks Affiliate Marketing Platform, influencers, YouTubers, bloggers, and even small publishers face an important question: Which one should you use?
Here’s a detailed, unbiased comparison to help you decide:
🎯 YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program — Best for Video-First Creators
✅ Key Benefits:
- Seamless product tagging in YouTube videos, Shorts & livestreams.
- No external links required—products are showcased natively in the video player.
- Potentially higher viewer trust, since the shopping experience stays within YouTube.
- Bonus rewards for top performers—up to $2,500 per month based on sales.
🚫 Limitations:
- Supports only Flipkart & Myntra in India (as of 2025).
- Strict eligibility:
- Must have 10,000+ subscribers.
- Must be in the YouTube Partner Program.
- Not available to music/kids-focused channels.
- Cannot promote on other platforms (Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, blogs).
🌟 Cuelinks Affiliate Marketing Platform — Best for Multi-Platform Monetization
✅ Key Benefits:
- Access to 1000+ brands, including Amazon, Ajio, Nykaa, Zomato, Mamaearth, MakeMyTrip.
- No subscriber/follower limit—perfect for micro-influencers, bloggers, Telegram channel owners.
- Works on:
- Websites & Blogs
- Instagram, Facebook
- Telegram, WhatsApp
- YouTube (via description, pinned comments)
- Auto-linking plugin for WordPress and websites.
- ₹500 signup bonus and frequent affiliate promotions & contests.
🚫 Limitations:
- No in-video product tagging like YouTube’s native experience.
- Visitors must click out of the platform—no “in-app” buying as smooth as YouTube’s feature.
- Performance depends heavily on your ability to drive traffic across platforms.
📊 Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | YouTube Shopping Affiliate | Cuelinks Affiliate Platform |
| Supported Brands (India) | Flipkart, Myntra | 1000+ brands (Amazon, Ajio, Nykaa, Domino’s, etc.) |
| Platform Usage | Only on YouTube videos/Shorts | Website, Blog, All Social Media (WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, YouTube (links), etc) |
| Eligibility | 10,000+ subs, YPP channel | Open to all creators, no limit |
| In-Video Product Display | Yes (Native tagging) | No (links only) |
| Commission Bonuses | Yes (up to $2,500 monthly) | Yes (varies by brand) |
| Ease of Setup | Automatic if eligible | Quick signup, link creation |
| Viewer Shopping Experience | Seamless in YouTube app | Redirects to merchant site |
| Monetization Scope | Limited to Flipkart/Myntra | 2500+ affiliate marketing programs across categories |
🚀 Who Should Choose What?
✔️ Pick YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program if you:
- Are a YouTube-first creator with 10k+ subs.
- Prefer native product placement directly in videos.
- Want to avoid managing external affiliate links.
✔️ Pick Cuelinks if you:
- Want to monetize across multiple platforms and social media (Telegram, Instagram, WhatsApp, Blogs).
- Don’t yet meet YouTube’s strict eligibility.
- Seek access to a broader brand range and more product categories.
- Want to diversify income beyond video content.
📝 Final Thoughts
Both platforms serve different needs:
- YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program is ideal for video-only creators focused on Flipkart & Myntra—offering easy tagging and in-app shopping.
- Cuelinks is perfect for creators who want platform freedom, more brands, and the ability to monetize anywhere, not just on YouTube.
For maximum earnings, many smart creators actually use both platforms together—tagging Flipkart/Myntra in videos via YouTube Shopping while promoting Amazon, Ajio, and others through Cuelinks on blogs, Telegram, and Instagram.
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!
