YouTube expands creator shopping push with AliExpress deal

YouTube creators in the US, UK, Brazil and Germany will be able to earn commission from AliExpress products directly through their content, as the platform continues to expand its affiliate shopping business.

AliExpress is joining the YouTube Shopping affiliate programme in the four markets following an initial rollout in South Korea in March.

Eligible creators will be able to find AliExpress products through YouTube Studio and tag them in their content, earning commission when viewers go on to make qualifying purchases.

The deal comes as YouTube has been steadily expanding Shopping internationally. The programme reached the UK earlier this year and is now available to eligible creators across 14 markets.

It also follows YouTube’s tie-up with Amazon in the US in August, which opened up a much broader range of products that creators can earn commission from.

AliExpress will similarly bring products from across its marketplace into YouTube, with an initial focus on Brand+, its selection of branded goods. The partnership is expected to expand into further countries alongside YouTube’s affiliate programme.

YouTube’s growing roster of retail partners is making affiliate revenue a more prominent part of how creators can make money on the platform, while bringing more of the journey from product recommendation to purchase inside YouTube itself.