YouTube channels with as few as 500 subscribers will soon be able to earn money by tagging products in their video content. The change comes as YouTube significantly lowers the barrier for creators to participate in shopping mediation. Industry observers predict YouTube's presence in Korea's commerce market will continue to grow.
YouTube announced on the 30th that it is easing the eligibility requirement for its YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program to 500 or more subscribers. The previous threshold was 1,000 subscribers, meaning it has been cut in half. The YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program allows creators who meet certain requirements, including enrollment in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), to tag affiliate partner products in their video content. When viewers purchase products through those tags, creators receive a commission.
The relaxed requirements apply to all 12 countries where the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program operates, including Korea, the United States, Japan, India, Malaysia and Vietnam. YouTube has steadily lowered the entry barrier for the shopping affiliate program with the stated goal of diversifying creators' revenue streams. In Korea, the program initially required at least 10,000 subscribers when it launched in June 2024. That threshold was lowered to 5,000 in the second half of last year and to 1,000 earlier this year. "Creators will be able to build sustainable business models from the early stages of their activities," YouTube said. "They can also build stronger connections with viewers through product recommendations."
YouTube's influence in Korea's commerce market is expected to expand accordingly. The number of Korean creators participating in the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program stood at 25,000 as of March last year. Considering that the participation requirement at the time was 10,000 or more subscribers — far stricter than the current threshold — industry observers expect this number to grow rapidly. YouTube also recently partnered with AliExpress as part of its push into the Korean market, expanding its affiliate partners to 10 companies including Olive Young, Coupang, Kurly and Ohouse.
Korea is seen as having immense commerce growth potential given its high level of YouTube engagement. According to 2026 YouTube statistics published last month by Global Media Insight, a global research firm, Korea's average monthly YouTube views stand at approximately 204 billion, ranking seventh among the countries surveyed. Mirae Asset Securities (006800.KS) stated in a report last year that "YouTube Shopping's gross merchandise value in Korea is expected to reach 13 trillion won ($9.5 billion) by 2030," adding that "penetration within Korea's e-commerce market is projected to rise to 2.6% by 2030."