Madiha Yaqoob
YouTube has been doubling down on e-commerce features in recent years, including shoppable links that allow creators to tag products within their videos. However, YouTube is now sunsetting this feature, which has been in testing since 2021. Instead, the platform is moving towards a more traditional percentage-based model.
In this article, we’ll explore what happened to YouTube’s shoppable links feature, why it didn’t work out, and what the platform is planning to do next to help creators build a business on YouTube.
Why is YouTube Phasing Out Shoppable Links?
Creators involved in the shoppable links test were paid a flat rate of $50 to $100 per month for including tags in their videos. However, YouTube has now declared that it will eliminate the capacity to label items from different brands and related transient motivating force programs.
According to Insider, the affiliate model used for shoppable links might not have worked out. YouTube reportedly said in a message to creators that it strongly believes an affiliate model will be the most beneficial way for creators to earn money at scale, and that it will invest in the affiliate program as a long-term solution.
What’s Next for Creators?
YouTube is creating some distance from the regularly scheduled payout for shoppable connections and towards a more customary rate-based model. The platform has already introduced the YouTube Shopping affiliate program in November 2022, which allows creators in the US to earn a commission from purchases on tagged products in their videos and Shorts.
YouTube plans to gradually roll out the shopping affiliate program to more creators throughout 2023. The stage accepts that YouTube is the best spot for makers to fabricate a business, and shopping is only one piece of that riddle.
Conclusion
In conclusion, YouTube is phasing out its shoppable links feature in favor of a more traditional percentage-based model. While the flat-rate affiliate model used for shoppable links might not have worked out, YouTube believes that an affiliate model is still the most beneficial way for creators to earn money at scale. The platform is investing in its affiliate program as a long-term solution and plans to gradually roll out the YouTube Shopping affiliate program to more creators throughout 2023.
