YouTube has launched its Shopping affiliate programme in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt, allowing eligible creators to tag products directly in videos, Shorts and live streams and earn commissions from purchases.

The programme is available to creators in the YouTube Partner Program with more than 500 subscribers. Its first phase launches with Amazon as an affiliate partner, allowing viewers to move from creator recommendations to merchant checkout while creators receive a commission on qualifying purchases made by audiences globally.

YouTube is also introducing AI-powered product tagging and QR-code shopping for viewers watching on televisions. The company said additional local and international retail partners will be added as the programme expands across the Middle East and North Africa.

The launch comes as shopping-related content continues to attract significant audiences on the platform. YouTube says viewers globally watch more than 40 billion hours of shopping content annually, while more than 40 million logged-in users across Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the UAE conducted shopping-related searches in June 2026.

YouTube MENA Head Javid Aslanov said the programme gives creators an additional way to monetise their audiences while connecting brands with viewers looking for product recommendations. Amazon Middle East, North Africa and Turkey Marketing and Prime Director Sumit Kapoor said the partnership will link creator recommendations with products available through Amazon.

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