As a creator in the YouTube Shopping affiliate program, you can earn commissions when viewers purchase products you tag directly in your videos, Shorts, and live streams. You may also earn a commission when your tag directs viewers to a seller’s website or app, where they buy products other than the one you tagged.
Estimated rates vs. actual earnings
When you tag products in YouTube Studio, the commission percentage provided is an estimate based on the current rate.
Your commission payout reflects the rate on the day of each purchase, not the date you tagged the product. A commission rate for a seller’s product might change in the time between when you tag a product and a viewer buys it.
We display commissions based on sellers settings. When you browse products in YouTube Studio, you will find that rates vary by item and brand. Sometimes, sellers may choose to offer a custom commission rate for certain creators.
Why commission rates change
Commissions rates tend to change over time. Some reasons rates might change include:
- Strategy shifts: A seller adjusts their strategy, which shifts the commission rates you’re offered for a specific product, product category, or brand.
- Promotional campaigns: A short-term promotional window or special creator incentive begins or ends.
- International views:YouTube Shopping automatically localizes tagged products for international viewers. If your viewers live in a different country, we match the product that you tagged with the same product from a trusted local seller. In these cases, your commission will be based on the active rate for the product from the fulfilling seller, not the one you tagged.
Commissions on non-tagged products
When a viewer taps or clicks your product tag, then chooses to buy other products from the seller, you may earn a commission on those other products as well. Each eligible item they buy may earn you commission based on the rate for that specific item. Learn more about how to view indirect revenue on tagged products.