general
YouTube lowers Shopping affiliate threshold to 500 subscribers
YouTube will allow creators with 500 subscribers to join its Shopping affiliate program, expanding early monetization across Shorts, VOD and Live.
Mar 25th 2026 ยท United States
Insights
- YouTube reduced the Shopping affiliate program subscriber requirement from 1,000 to 500.
- The affiliate program, launched in 2022, pays creators kickbacks when viewers buy tagged products.
- The program applies to Shorts, video on demand and Live content.
- Creators must still meet other YouTube Partner Program requirements to participate.
- The change follows Meta adding shopping links to Reels a day earlier, letting creators link up to 30 products.