YouTube Shopping Launched in France

YouTube has launched its YouTube Shopping affiliate program in France, allowing content creators to earn commissions from product sales through videos. Announced at the YouTube Festival in Paris, the initiative enables content creators to add product tags to videos, Shorts, and live streams. The program aims to support e-commerce sales by connecting retail brands with content creators.

Products Can Be Purchased Through Videos with YouTube Shopping

Under the YouTube Shopping program, content creators can tag products from participating retailers in their content. Viewers can access product information through the shopping button and complete their purchases on the seller's e-commerce website. Up to 60 products can be tagged in long-form videos. Shopping tags can be used in Shorts, while specific products can be pinned and displayed to viewers during live streams. Content creators earn commissions on eligible sales at rates determined by sellers.

At Least 500 Subscribers Required to Join the YouTube Shopping Program

To participate in the program, content creators in France must have at least 500 subscribers and be accepted into the YouTube Partner Program. Application requirements include uploading at least three public videos in the last 90 days and reaching either 3,000 valid watch hours in the last 365 days or 3 million valid Shorts views in the last 90 days. Channels targeting children and accounts with active Community Guidelines strikes are not eligible for the program.

E-Commerce Sales Value Increased 13-Fold in Two Years

According to company data, the total value of global sales generated through the YouTube Shopping program increased 13-fold between the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2026. The number of content creators participating in the program worldwide exceeded 1.3 million. Commissions paid to content creators increased by more than 100% year over year, while product tags placed in videos generated up to 110% more clicks compared to links in video descriptions.

Artificial Intelligence Will Be Used in Product Tagging

YouTube offers tools that use artificial intelligence technology to automatically identify and tag products featured in videos. The system can analyze video titles, descriptions, subtitles, and content to generate product recommendations. Catalog partnerships developed with e-commerce platforms such as Amazon are also expanding the program's global product coverage. The company is also working to bring shopping features to television screens.

YouTube Reaches 43 Million Users in France

According to the released data, YouTube reaches approximately 43 million monthly users in France, with users spending an average of 55 minutes per day on the platform. Meanwhile, 68% of French consumers report discovering a product through a content creator.

Yann Damongeot, Director of YouTube Ads France, stated that the relationship between content creators, brands, and users is one of the platform's fundamental elements. Damongeot explained that the affiliate program launched in France enables brands to integrate their products into videos and offer them for sale, while creating additional revenue opportunities for content creators.