The program lets creators feature products in their videos, allowing viewers to click through to sellers’ websites and make purchases.
YouTube has launched its Shopping affiliate program in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, giving eligible creators a new way to earn commissions by tagging products in their videos, Shorts, and livestreams.
The program allows viewers to click on tagged products and visit retailers’ websites to complete purchases. Amazon is the affiliate program’s first retail partner, with additional retailers expected to join in the future.
How YouTube Shopping Works for Creators
Eligible creators enrolled in the YouTube Partner Program with at least 500 subscribers can tag products directly in their content. When viewers purchase through the tagged products, creators can earn commissions on qualifying sales, including purchases made by viewers around the world.
The feature is designed to connect product recommendations with the shopping experience, allowing viewers to move from watching content to visiting a retailer’s checkout.
YouTube is also using Google AI to identify products featured in videos and suggest relevant tags. For viewers watching on televisions, the platform offers another option: scanning an on-screen QR code with a phone to continue shopping.
Amazon Joins as the First Affiliate Partner
Amazon is the first retail partner in the initial rollout across the three markets. YouTube expects more retailers to join the program, potentially giving creators access to a wider selection of products to recommend to their audiences.
Javid Aslanov, Head of YouTube in the Middle East and North Africa, said the launch would give creators another way to build their businesses while helping brands reach audiences interested in product recommendations.
“Launching YouTube Shopping in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt opens a massive new chapter for the creator economy, giving creators another practical way to build their businesses while offering brands a way to connect with highly engaged audiences,” Aslanov said.
He added that the affiliate partnership with Amazon would help businesses of different sizes connect with customers when they are looking for recommendations.
YouTube Reports Strong Shopping Search Activity in the Region
YouTube said more than 40 million logged-in users across Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE made shopping-related searches on the platform in June 2026.
The figure covers five markets, while the initial affiliate program launch is limited to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
The expansion gives eligible creators in these three countries another way to monetize their content through product recommendations. For brands and retailers, the program offers a route to reach consumers through creators whose content they already watch.
As additional retailers join, the range of products available through YouTube Shopping could grow, expanding the opportunities for creators to earn commissions from purchases generated by their content.
