YouTube and Shopify have expanded their partnership, making it easier than ever for merchants and creators to collaborate and thrive. With over 30 billion hours of shopping-related videos watched on YouTube in 2023, the platform is fast becoming a critical space for connecting creators, fans, and brands.
Recent Developments
As of today, all eligible Shopify Plus and Advanced merchants in the U.S. can sign up for YouTube Shopping’s affiliate program through the Google & YouTube app on Shopify. This move will enable thousands of creators to tag products from a broader range of brands, making shopping content more engaging and impactful.
For merchants, this expansion means getting their products in front of new, high-intent audiences, dramatically increasing their visibility and potential sales. On the other hand, Creators benefit from access to a broader array of brands to tag in their shopping content, driving both viewership and affiliate commissions.
Joining the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program
If you're eager to take advantage of these new opportunities, here’s a simple guide to get you started based on the YouTube Shopping affiliate program (for Shopify merchants) starter guide:
For Shopify Merchants:
- Add the Google & YouTube app to your Shopify store:
- Within Shopify, navigate to your Shopify admin and add the Google & YouTube app. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
- Connect your YouTube Channel:
- From the Google & YouTube app, select "Overview", then "YouTube Shopping", and finally "Get Started".
- Choose the YouTube channel that you’d like to connect to Shopify.
- Manage Your Program Through Google Merchant Center:
- Through the Google Merchant Center, you can easily manage your products, content, and analytics, making it seamless to track your performance.
For YouTube Creators:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio:
- You can visit YouTube Studio and sign in with your credentials.
- Access the 'Earn' section:
- From the left menu, navigate to "Earn".
- Join the Affiliate Program:
- Under 'Programs', click "Join now".
- Review and accept the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program Terms of Service.
- Start Tagging Products:
- Begin tagging products in your content, ensuring you follow the tagging guidelines provided.
Additional Tips for Maximizing Your Earnings:
- Feature Sales & Promotions:
- Plan your content around high-traffic shopping periods and sales promotions from popular brands.
- Use Calls to Action (CTA):
- Tag relevant products in your videos with a strong CTA to inform your audience that they can shop the products you feature.
- Bulk Tagging:
- Utilize YouTube's Bulk Tagging feature in the "Earn" section of YouTube Studio to tag multiple products across your videos efficiently.
- Chrome Extension for U.S. Creators:
- Consider using the new Chrome extension, which allows you to save products while browsing and easily find them for tagging later. You can also check potential earnings from tagging products on the fly.
Understanding Your Earnings
Participating brands and retailers set their own commission rates and attribution windows for each product. Once a viewer clicks on your tagged product and makes a purchase, you’ll earn commissions which will be paid through AdSense within 60 to 120 days to account for potential customer returns.
Affiliate Sellers
The program includes a growing list of affiliate sellers such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas, Anthropologie, Bloomingdale’s, Crocs US, GameStop, and many more. You can explore affiliate offers, request product samples, and view commission percentages right from the YouTube Studio.
Seamlessly syncing your Shopify store with YouTube gives you unprecedented tools to elevate your sales and broaden your market reach. The synergy between Shopify merchants and YouTube creators provides a mutually beneficial ecosystem where both parties can enhance their business impact.
For more details and to sign up, head over to the official YouTube Blog and Google Merchant Center.
Source
- Full article on recent updates and partnership: YouTube Blog
- Sign up for the YouTube Shopping affiliate program: Google Merchant Center
