Dubai, UAE – YouTube has launched its Shopping affiliate programme in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, allowing eligible creators to earn commission when viewers buy products tagged in their content. The programme was announced on 26 October 2026, with Amazon as the first retail partner and more retailers expected to follow.
How it works
Creators tag products in long-form videos, Shorts and livestreams. When a viewer buys through the tag, the creator earns a commission. Clicks, estimated revenue and earnings are tracked in YouTube Studio, and creators can also earn from international viewers where purchasing options are available. Commissions on refunded purchases may be deducted.
Who can join
- At least 500 subscribers, through the expanded YouTube Partner Programme
- Three public videos uploaded in the previous 90 days
- Either 3,000 valid public watch hours over the past year, or 3 million valid Shorts views within 90 days
- Meeting the Shopping affiliate eligibility rules (check the Earn section of YouTube Studio)
New AI tools
YouTube has added AI features that identify products appearing in videos and suggest tags, while viewers watching on TV can scan a QR code to go straight to featured products.
A big regional audience
According to YouTube, more than 40 million logged-in users in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria ran shopping-related searches in June 2026, and viewers worldwide watch more than 40 billion hours of shopping content each year. A Kantar survey found that 86% of surveyed viewers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia see YouTube as having the most trusted creators for shopping recommendations.
For UAE creators and small brands, the launch opens a new revenue stream and a direct route from content to sales.
Source: The National.
