News in Short
- YouTube is adding Amazon product tagging to Shorts, long-form videos and livestreams.
- Eligible US creators can tag products through YouTube Studio and earn commissions on qualifying purchases.
- Creators can also use automatic product tagging and track clicks and estimated earnings through YouTube Studio Analytics.
YouTube is expanding its shopping tools by adding Amazon product tagging to its Shopping Affiliate Program. The new feature allows eligible creators in the US to tag Amazon products in Shorts, long-form videos and livestreams, giving viewers a direct way to discover featured products while giving creators an opportunity to earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
The integration effectively brings product recommendations and affiliate monetisation closer to the content itself, with creators able to manage tags and monitor their performance through YouTube Studio.
Creators Can Tag Amazon Products Directly
Eligible creators can select Amazon products through the product picker in YouTube Studio and add them to their content. YouTube also offers an automatic tagging option that can scan recent uploads and identify eligible Amazon products when enabled.
Creators who cannot find a particular product can contact Creator Support to check whether it can be made available for tagging.
The feature works across different YouTube formats, meaning creators can recommend products in a short-form video, a regular video or during a livestream.
How Creators Can Earn
The Amazon integration is currently available to eligible creators in the US. Creators need to be part of the YouTube Partner Program and YouTube Shopping affiliate programme, while also having an active Amazon Influencer Program or Amazon Associates Program account linked to their YouTube channel.
When viewers purchase eligible products through tagged content, creators can earn a commission. YouTube Studio Analytics will allow creators to monitor product clicks and estimated earnings generated through their tags.
Finalised Amazon earnings are paid through the creator’s existing AdSense account alongside other YouTube affiliate payments. Earnings are settled monthly, although returns can affect the final commission.
If a tagged product is returned, the corresponding commission can be deducted from the creator’s balance. If this results in a negative balance, the deduction can carry over to the next payment cycle.
Amazon Tags Can Also Help International Shoppers
YouTube says tagged Amazon products can also be connected with trusted local merchant offers when viewers outside the US want to purchase a product.
If an appropriate local offer is available, viewers may be directed to it, while products without a suitable local offer can lead to the Amazon US storefront or another relevant local storefront.
The feature therefore extends beyond simply adding an Amazon link to a video, with YouTube handling product discovery, tagging and affiliate tracking within its shopping ecosystem.
Creators using product tags must follow YouTube’s product tagging guidelines, Community Guidelines and paid product placement policies.
