Trending Now - Youtube Expands Affiliate Shopping Access to Smaller Creators

WHO:

YouTube, creators, Meta

WHAT:

YouTube is reducing the Shopping affiliate program subscriber threshold from 1,000 to 500.

The affiliate program allows creators to earn kickbacks when viewers buy products tagged in their videos.

The affiliate program applies to YouTube Shorts, Video on Demand (VOD), and Live content.

Creators must still meet the YouTube Partner Program's other requirements to benefit from the affiliate program.

WHERE:

YouTube platform, Facebook, Instagram

WHEN:

The announcement was made on Wednesday, March 25th, 2026.

The Shopping affiliate program launched in 2022.

WHY:

The change may be a response to Meta adding shopping links to Reels, allowing creators on Facebook and Instagram to link to up to 30 distinct products from marketplace partners in a single video.

HOW:

Creators can start tagging products in their videos to earn commissions.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 00:35 UTC)

YouTube announced on Wednesday that it is reducing the subscriber threshold for its Shopping affiliate program from 1,000 to 500, allowing more creators to earn commissions when viewers purchase products tagged in their videos. This program, which applies to YouTube Shorts, Video on Demand, and Live content, still requires creators to meet other criteria of the YouTube Partner Program. The change comes as a response to Meta's recent addition of shopping links in Reels, enabling creators on Facebook and Instagram to link to multiple products in a single video.