Affiliate marketing globally is projected to reach $30 billion by 2030. YouTube allows creators to add their affiliate links in the video description.
YouTube is evolving into a passive income for creators and affiliate marketers. With growing eCommerce adoption, built-in YouTube Shopping features, and creator-friendly affiliate platforms, even small channels can now earn a consistent income without relying solely on AdSense.
Are you searching for “What is YouTube affiliate marketing?”, “How does an affiliate program work?”, or “Are affiliate programs worth it in 2025?”, you are in the right place.
In this article, you will explore the top YouTube affiliate programs list and learn how to start affiliate marketing on YouTube.
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Latest YouTube Affiliate Marketing Statistics & News
- Over 2.7 billion monthly active users globally. (Source: Forbes)
- Product-tagged videos see 30–40% higher conversion rates.
- Short-form videos (YouTube Shorts) now support affiliate links.
- Creator-led commerce is growing faster than traditional ads.
YouTube News Update
YouTube is prioritizing shopping-enabled videos and creator monetization beyond ads, making affiliate marketing more visible in search, Shorts, and recommendations.
What Is YouTube Affiliate Marketing?
YouTube affiliate marketing is a monetization method where creators subtly promote products/services in their videos and earn a commission when purchases are made through their affiliate links.
Which products or services can I promote on YouTube via affiliate links?
Creators can promote Amazon affiliate links, AI, SaaS tools, Proxies, VPNs, Web hosting deals, etc.
Can I do affiliate marketing on YouTube without a large following?
Indeed, yes. Affiliate marketing for YouTube works effectively when the content is informational and not promotional.
What if I can’t access YouTube?
Use YouTube proxies to access YouTube from any country or region.
How Does a YouTube Affiliate Marketing Program For Beginners Work?
This guide shows you the steps to the YouTube affiliate program signup.
Let me show you an example of how you can promote Amazon links on YouTube and make money with affiliate marketing.
➡️ Step 1: Go to Amazon Associates and join the Amazon affiliate program for free.
➡️ Step 2: Once your account is approved (instant), you can search for any products on Amazon and get your unique affiliate link by clicking on the Get Link button.
➡️ Step 3: Use AI video generators like Zoviz, FlexClip, or Vidnoz to generate product animation videos.
➡️ Step 4: Upload the video to YouTube and add your Amazon affiliate link in the video description.
➡️ Step 5: When a user watches your video and clicks on the link to purchase the product, you receive a commission. The best part about Amazon affiliate is that even if the user purchases a product other than your recommended one, you still get a commission. Amazon offers a 24-hour cookie duration.
Now that you know how to add affiliate links to your YouTube videos, let’s dive into the list of top-performing YouTube affiliate programs.
Top YouTube Affiliate Programs List of 2025
| Affiliate Program | Category | Commission | Cookie Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program | Physical Products | Varies by brand | Session-based |
| Amazon Affiliate Program for YouTube | Various niches | 1%–10% | 24 hours |
| vidIQ Affiliate Program | YouTube Tools | Up to 25% recurring | 30 days |
| TubeBuddy Affiliate Program | Channel Optimization | 30% recurring | 30 days |
| Canva Affiliate Program | Design & Thumbnails | Up to $36 per signup | 30 days |
| Skillshare Affiliate Program | Online Learning | $7–$10 per referral | 30 days |
| Bluehost Affiliate Program | Web Hosting | Up to $65 per sale | 45 days |
| Veed.io Affiliate Program | Video Editing | Recurring commissions | 30 days |
These are some of the most profitable affiliate programs for YouTubers in 2025. With AI software & tools becoming essential, YouTube holds a big opportunity for AI content creators.
YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program: Eligibility & Criteria (2025)
This section explains YouTube shopping affiliate program eligibility.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Your YouTube channel should be accepted into the YouTube Partner Program.
- The channel has a minimum of 10,000 subscribers.
- You are residing in any of the following countries: the United States, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, India, Singapore, or Brazil.
- Music channels are ineligible.
- Your videos should not be set as Made For Kids.
Is the YouTube partnership program available in India?
Yes, the YPP is available in India, allowing creators to monetize their content via ads, memberships, Super Thanks, and Shopping features.
What’s the criteria for Indians to be eligible for the YouTube partnership program?
The channel should have at least 500 subscribers, 3 uploads within 90 days, and 3k watch hours/3M Shorts views.
Are Affiliate Programs Legit and Worth It in 2025?
Affiliate programs are legal, but utmost care should be taken when joining iGaming affiliate networks or adult ad networks.
How Much Do YouTubers Make From Affiliate Links?
Many creators now earn more from YouTube affiliate links than AdSense, especially in high-intent niches. This depends on Niche, Traffic quality, Product pricing, and Commission structure. Ensure you follow the YouTube affiliate links policy.
Creators like Mr. Beast make millions of dollars every year with YouTube.
Pros & Cons of Affiliate Marketing for YouTube Channels
| 👍 Pros | 👎Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Free to join. | ❌ The YouTube Partner Program and the YouTube Shopping affiliate program have stringent criteria. |
| ✅ No sales target. | |
| ✅ Different models like CPS, CPA, and Revenue Share are available. | |
| ✅ Easy to add YouTube affiliate links to the video description. |
Conclusion: Is YouTube Affiliate Marketing Worth Starting in 2025?
Videos have more engagement than blog posts. Therefore, it is worth investing in affiliate marketing via YouTube. With AI tools, you can easily create short videos and add affiliate links to Amazon or other merchant websites.
FAQs | Best YouTube Affiliate Programs
What is the YouTube affiliate program bonus?
It allows creators to earn commissions by promoting products through affiliate links in videos.
How long does it take to learn affiliate marketing?
Affiliate marketing is like a marathon and not a sprint. Once you learn the basics, you can start making money immediately.
Can I do affiliate marketing on YouTube without monetization?
Yes, YouTube video monetization is different and has a stringent eligibility criterion. However, there are no requirements to start affiliate marketing, and creators can make money with affiliate links.
What are the YouTube affiliate program requirements?
YouTube allows creators to earn from ads shown between videos and Short videos. To be eligible to show ads, YouTubers need 1000 subscribers, 4K public watch hours within 365 days/10 million public Short views.
What are the most profitable affiliate programs for YouTube?
Gadgets, Training, SaaS tools, Hosting deals, AI tools, and high-ticket products on Amazon.
Is YouTube affiliate marketing available in India?
Yes, it is available via the YouTube Shopping integrations.
