YouTube has added Amazon to its Shopping Affiliate Program. Eligible US creators can now earn money from product recommendations in their content.
Creators can tag Amazon products in Shorts, long videos, and livestreams. Viewers can use those tags to find the featured items. This move links product discovery with creator earnings. The feature is available only to eligible creators in the United States for now.
YouTube announced the integration in a blog post. Its support pages explain the rules and how the tool works. Creators must join the YouTube Partner Program and the YouTube Shopping affiliate programme in the US. They also need an active Amazon Influencer or Amazon Associates account linked to their channel.
After access is granted, creators can add eligible Amazon products through YouTube Studio’s product picker. They can contact Creator Support if a product they want is missing. YouTube also offers auto-tagging. This option can scan recent uploads and identify eligible Amazon products.
Creators can track clicks and estimated earnings in YouTube Studio Analytics. Final Amazon payments go through their existing AdSense account with other YouTube affiliate income. Commissions settle on a monthly cycle. For example, earnings that lock in January are paid in the March AdSense cycle.
YouTube can also link tagged Amazon products to trusted local merchant offers when viewers buy from outside the United States. This allows creators to earn from eligible international sales. If no suitable local offer exists, the tag may send viewers to the Amazon US store or another relevant local store.
The platform also adjusts earnings for product returns. A returned item can lead to a commission deduction. If the balance falls below zero, the amount carries into the next monthly cycle until it turns positive. Tagged content must follow YouTube’s product tagging rules, Community Guidelines, and paid product placement policy.
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