YouTube launches Shopping affiliate program in the Netherlands

YouTube has launched its Shopping affiliate program in the Netherlands, making it the second country on mainland Europe to receive the feature. The service allows creators to tag products directly within their videos, enabling viewers to discover and purchase items seamlessly. This initiative aims to create an ecosystem connecting creators, retailers, and viewers.

Bol.com has been announced as the first local retail partner for the rollout. To expand the program's reach, YouTube is collaborating with the social agency Team5pm, part of SAMY. The platform is also deploying AI tools to automatically tag products in videos, enhancing the shopping experience.

To participate in the affiliate program, creators now only need a minimum of 500 subscribers. The program offers a new revenue stream through commissions on sales generated via tagged products. This move follows similar implementations in Germany and the United Kingdom and positions YouTube to compete in the social commerce space.