YouTube has launched its Shopping affiliate program in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, allowing eligible creators to tag products in videos and earn commissions on purchases.
The program’s first phase includes Amazon as an affiliate partner, with YouTube planning to add more retailers. Eligible creators in the YouTube Partner Program with at least 500 subscribers can tag products in videos, Shorts and livestreams, earning commissions when viewers make purchases, including viewers outside the region where the program is available.
Globally, users watch more than 40 billion hours of shopping-related content on YouTube each year, the company said. In June 2026, more than 40 million logged-in users across Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the UAE searched for shopping-related content on the platform.
A survey conducted by Kantar found that viewers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE rated YouTube highly for shopping-related content, including instructional videos, product reviews and unboxing videos. Some 94% said the platform had the best instructional videos, while 85% cited product reviews and 80% unboxing videos.
The survey also found that 86% of respondents said YouTube had the most trusted creators for product recommendations. In Saudi Arabia, 84% of surveyed viewers said the platform helped them make more confident shopping decisions.
YouTube Shopping enables viewers to move from watching a video to a retailer’s checkout with a click, allowing brands to reach customers while products are being demonstrated or recommended by creators.
“Launching YouTube Shopping in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt opens a massive new chapter for the creator economy, giving creators another, practical way to build their businesses, while offering brands a way to connect with highly engaged audiences,” said Javid Aslanov, head of YouTube in the Middle East and North Africa.
The partnership with Amazon would help businesses of all sizes reach customers seeking recommendations, he added.
The lower eligibility threshold gives regional creators an opportunity to earn revenue earlier in their careers. Those who meet the requirements can tag Amazon products and earn commissions on qualifying purchases.
“This collaboration with YouTube brings together the power of authentic creator recommendations and Amazon’s trusted shopping experience,” said Sumit Kapoor, director of marketing and Prime at Amazon Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. The partnership would connect creators with millions of products and help customers discover and buy items, he said.
Saudi creator Bander Madkhali, known as BanderitaX and followed by more than 21 million subscribers, said the feature would make it easier to share recommendations with viewers who ask about his gaming setup, accessories and controllers.
YouTube said Google artificial intelligence tools would identify products in videos and suggest tags, reducing the need for creators to add them manually. Viewers watching YouTube on televisions can also scan an on-screen QR code with a mobile device to complete purchases.
The company said the launch was the first step in expanding YouTube Shopping across the Middle East and North Africa, with plans to work with more local and international retailers.
Egyptian creator Marwan Serry, whose channels include Erza3 and Beta3 Aflaam and whose audience exceeds 3.7 million, said viewers would be able to buy products such as football jerseys, boots and filming equipment shown in his videos.
UAE creator Ayatee, who has nearly 11 million subscribers, said the feature would make it easier for viewers to purchase beauty products and gadgets featured in her videos and challenges.
