YouTube is expanding its Shopping affiliate programme in India by adding Amazon and bringing more major online stores into the platform. Reports indicate, for now, AJIO, Meesho, Snapdeal and Tata CLiQ will be among the major platforms joining this program. The move gives Indian creators more products to feature and new ways to earn from their content.
The program already includes Flipkart, Myntra, Nykaa, Purplle, Shopsy and Tira. YouTube says more than 450 million logged-in users in India search for shopping content. Watch time for shopping videos grew 55% year-on-year. More than half of eligible Indian creators have joined the affiliate programme, which marks a 200% increase over the previous year.
Apart from these, the platform also added ‘Ask YouTube’ feature. This is to help users learn more about products. One can ask questions about items directly from a video’s watch page. The best part is not only mobiles, but even Smart TVs will support voice-based queries. The platform is also improving automatic product tagging to help creators connect viewers with local stores.
Aprt from that, YouTube is also testing Dynamic Brand Segments. In this advertisers will be allowed to insert sponsored segments across as many as 20 long-form videos at once. Finally, Exclusive Affiliate Campaigns are also expected to roll out next year. This will allow specific creators to have higher commission rates and performance bonuses for specific campaigns.
For creators, this can turn product-focused videos into a direct path to sales. YouTube is also testing tools that allow successful creator videos to be used in paid ads, giving brands another way to reach shoppers.
YouTube’s India push shows how shopping is becoming part of everyday video viewing. For creators, the change could bring more focus to product reviews, guides and recommendations as they become closely linked with sales.