YouTube is rolling out fresh ways for creators to increase their income through brand deals and shopping features. These updates were announced at the company’s Made on YouTube event.
One of the most notable additions is the new system for sponsorships in long videos. Creators will soon be able to add brand segments in special slots and later replace them when a deal ends. This means the same video can keep generating revenue with new sponsors over time. The testing of this feature will begin with a small group of creators early next year.
YouTube is also turning to AI to make shopping easier. The platform will automatically tag products at the exact moment they are mentioned in a video. Later, it will even be able to recognize and tag every eligible product without manual work from the creator.
Shorts creators are getting upgrades, too. They will soon be able to include direct links to brand websites. This will help viewers find products faster and give brands better insight into how Shorts drive results.
To connect brands and creators more effectively, YouTube will enhance its creator partnerships hub. The platform will proactively suggest creators who are a good fit for specific campaigns, making collaboration smoother.
The YouTube Shopping program is also expanding. More creators will get access, and new markets such as Brazil are being added. Big names like Nike, Best Buy, Etsy, Shark Ninja, Michaels, and Michael Kors are joining in the U.S., while Olive Young and ZigZag are coming to Korea.
YouTube says interest in shopping on the platform is growing fast. Gross Merchandise Volume has jumped five times in the last year, and over 500,000 creators have already signed up worldwide. The company also shared that it has paid more than $100 billion to creators, artists, and media companies in the last four years.
