YouTube Opens up Shopify Access for Merch Sales

YouTube just announced it is rolling out a new partnership deal with Shopify, enabling all eligible creators to sell merchandise via one of the biggest e-commerce platforms in the world. Creators will now be able to link their Shopify stores with their YouTube channels for full access to live shopping tools and other retail features.

This is huge news for YouTubers who want to sell branded products to their fan base and beyond. YouTube confirmed today that creators who link to Shopify can display products via their channel, during live streams, and in their end cards.

Why is the new retail feature so exciting for creators? Viewers can purchase directly on YouTube rather than visiting an external link.

Creators will be able to sync their inventory numbers with Shopify in real-time, so consumers will be able to see what’s in stock. For creators based in the U.S., the platform is opening up the option for on-site checkout sales. This way, viewers won’t have to leave YouTube to make a purchase.

Creators will now also be able to directly tag their products during live streams. This live shopping feature could help boost merch sales by showcasing products to a captive and engaged audience.

How To Connect Your YouTube Channel To Shopify

To sell your products on YouTube, start by connecting your Shopify store to YouTube, just follow the instructions below:

• Sign in to YouTube Studio
• Select Monetization from the left-hand menu
• Click Shopping
• Click Connect Store
• Click Shopify
• Select Continue
• Select Add App to add your Google channel to Shopify

Which Creators are Eligible to Sell Merchandise?

To be eligible for access to YouTube’s shopping tools, channels must meet specific minimum requirements. These include: 

• The channel must be approved for monetization via the YouTube Partner Program
• The creator is based in an eligible country/region
• The channel must have a minimum of 10,000 subscribers (unless it’s a music channel
• If the channel is a music channel, it has to be for an officially certified artist
• The channel must not have a “significant number” of videos designated as made for kids

If you’re a creator with a Shopify store and you’re eligible for YouTube Shopping, be sure to connect your store ASAP to reap the benefits of this new feature.