The YouTube platform announced the official launch of the affiliate marketing program within the YouTube Shopping service in Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, in a move that opens an additional source of revenue for content creators in the region.
The announcement came on Monday, October 26, 2026, where The company confirmed that Amazon will be the first affiliate marketing partner within the new phase, with plans to add more stores later.
The program allows qualified content creators to link products to the clips they publish, so that the viewer can know the details of the product and go to purchase it, while the creator receives a commission when a qualifying purchase is made.
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How does YouTube Shopping work?
The service relies on adding product tags within the published content, instead of simply placing traditional shopping links in the video description.
When submitting a review for a phone or device Home or beauty product, the content creator can link the displayed product to the available shopping offer.
The viewer is shown a path to access the product details and price and go to the store to complete the purchase.
This method supports different forms of content, including long-form videos, YouTube Shorts, and live broadcasts.
This allows creators to leverage edutainment content and reviews that include actual purchase recommendations.
The appearance of a product within a video does not mean that the purchase will occur entirely within YouTube; The completion of the order and payment remains Linked to the partner store mechanism.
Subscription starts from 500 eligible subscribers
An important point in the advertisement is that the program does not only target mega channels.
According to YouTube, some content creators who join the YouTube Partner Program can benefit from the shopping service when they have 500 subscribers on YouTube. At least, if they meet the rest of the eligibility requirements.
But reaching 500 subscribers alone does not guarantee activation of the feature.
Availability is also related to channel status, fulfillment of partner program requirements, country, applicable policies, and feature availability within YouTube Studio.
This is expected to give channels Small and medium sized businesses have the opportunity to develop additional revenue streams alongside video advertising and brand sponsorships.
Amazon is the first partner in Egypt and the region
YouTube chose Amazon to be the first affiliate marketing partner in the markets of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE within the new launch.
This can help Collaborate with content creators in linking reviews and recommendations to products available for purchase through the partner store.
It also provides brands with a new path to reach customers through creator-generated content.
Instead of relying on separate video advertising, you can Branding takes advantage of the viewer's moment of interest in the product they are viewing.
It is important for the content creator to clarify the nature of his commercial relationship and affiliate marketing links in accordance with the platform’s policies and applicable advertising rules.
Artificial intelligence helps in adding products
The company also announced support for tools that help content creators discover products appearing within the video and suggest appropriate tags for them.
These tools use Google AI technologies to reduce the time required to manually search for products and their links.
When a content creator offers a number of... Devices or gadgets During the video, the technology can help suggest items that can be linked to the shopping service.
But these suggestions need to be reviewed, especially when the names, models, or specifications of the products are similar.
Linking a video to an incorrect model may lead to misleading viewer and affects the public's confidence in the channel's recommendations.
Shopping feature hits TV screens
The update was not limited to phones and computers.
YouTube has also announced support for a purchasing experience on some Internet-connected TV devices, through a QR code that appears while watching Content.
The viewer can scan the code using his phone to go to the product page and complete the purchase through Amazon.
This addition reflects an attempt to link viewing on large screens with a purchasing experience that can be easily completed via phone.
The Universal Shopping Tags feature also allows you to expand shopping opportunities Benefit from views in international markets participating in the service, in accordance with the terms of the program.
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What does the launch mean for Egyptian content creators?
Owners of channels that rely on reviews of phones, electronics, and household appliances may particularly benefit from the program. Sports products, photography supplies, and other products that viewers are interested in comparing before purchasing.
A single video can become a source of income in more than one way, such as YouTube ads, commerce collaborations, and shopping commissions, when the channel qualifies for each. From her.
But the success of this model requires building continuous trust with the public.
An objective review that highlights the advantages and disadvantages may be more effective in the long run than recommendations that target only the commission.
Each view or click should not be considered a direct source of revenue. Because the commission is tied to qualifying purchases, store terms and the program.
What's next?
YouTube has announced its intention to add more local and international retail partners in the future, but has not set a final timeline for them to join.
The spread of the service in Egypt will depend on its availability For qualified channels, product diversity, ease of purchasing experience, and clarity of commission rules.
Its launch indicates that competition between video platforms is no longer limited to views and ads, but rather includes transforming content into a direct channel for discovering and marketing products.
