- YouTube’s native affiliate marketing program faces challenges in attracting creators.
- Many creators prefer using multiple affiliate programs to diversify income.
- YouTube’s affiliate program requirements, including a 15,000 subscriber minimum.
YouTube launched its native affiliate marketing program last year, aiming to become a go-to shopping platform.
However, the company faces stiff competition from established affiliate programs like Amazon, MagicLinks, and LTK. Many creators have long-standing relationships with these platforms, making it difficult for YouTube to convince them to switch.
Creators seek diverse revenue streams
Some creators, like Kelly Anne Smith, a personal-finance influencer with 53,000 subscribers, have not adopted YouTube’s affiliate program due to the lack of finance-related products available.
Others, like Golka, the creator behind the Swell Entertainment channel, prefer to use multiple affiliate programs to diversify their income streams and avoid tying all their revenue to a single platform.
The program requirements limit participation
YouTube’s affiliate program offers commissions between 1% and 20%, comparable to other platforms like the Amazon Influencer Program. However, the program’s eligibility requirements, which include having more than 15,000 subscribers and being part of the YouTube Partner Program, limit participation for smaller creators.
Lifestyle influencer Gigi Robinson, who has 1,500 subscribers, hopes YouTube will eventually lower these requirements to allow more creators to join.
