Press release:
Today, YouTube announced the launch of its Shopping affiliate programme in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The program allows creators to tag products directly in their content and earn a commission on purchases, helping connect regional brands and sellers with highly engaged audiences. The first phase launches with Amazon as an affiliate partner, with plans to expand to more retailers soon.
Globally, people watch more than 40 billion hours of shopping-related content on YouTube each year. In June 2026 alone, over 40 million logged-in users across countries in the Middle East & North Africa (Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia & the UAE) made shopping-related searches on YouTube.
Today, people browse videos along with traditional shopfronts and come to YouTube for authentic product reviews and recommendations. According to a survey conducted by Kantar, surveyed viewers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE agree that YouTube has the best shopping-related content, including instructional videos (94%), product reviews (85%), and unboxing videos (80%). The survey also indicated that 86% say that YouTube has the most trusted creators for product recommendations while shopping and 84% of surveyed viewers in Saudi agree that YouTube helps them make more confident shopping decisions.
YouTube Shopping lets viewers go from watching a video to merchant checkout with a simple click, making it easier for brands to connect with customers while their product is on-screen and being recommended by creators they trust.
"Launching YouTube Shopping in Saudi Arabia, the UAE & 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 & North Africa. “Our affiliate partnership with Amazon helps connect businesses of all sizes with customers at the exact moment they’re looking for recommendations," he added.
The launch gives regional creators a way to make money earlier in their journey, with a lower eligibility threshold of 500 subscribers. Creators who meet eligibility criteria can now tag products from Amazon and earn competitive commissions when viewers make a purchase, including viewers outside the region where YouTube Shopping is available.
Sumit Kapoor, Director of Marketing and Prime, Amazon Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey, commented, "This collaboration with YouTube brings together the power of authentic creator recommendations and Amazon's trusted shopping experience. We're excited to give creators across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt a new way to connect their audiences with millions of products, while helping customers discover and buy what they need seamlessly."
Ayatee also expressed excitement for the launch and its impact on her community of almost 11 million subscribers, saying, "From viral beauty hacks to the crazy gadgets I test in my 24-hour challenges, people always want to know if what they see is worth buying.” She adds, “YouTube Shopping makes sharing these great finds effortless." My community can click and check out right as I'm using the product on camera, which completely levels up how I connect and engage with my fans.”
YouTube Shopping is designed for seamless discovery across every screen. YouTube uses Google AI to automatically identify products in videos and suggest tags, saving creators hours of manual work. Additionally, viewers watching YouTube on their television can now scan an on-screen QR code with their mobile device to complete purchases instantly.
The launch marks the beginning of YouTube Shopping’s expansion in the Middle East & North Africa, with plans to work closely with more local and international retailers in the future.