YouTube affiliation: How does it work?

How to set up affiliation on a Youtube account?

Affiliate marketing is permitted on YouTube, subject to certain conditions. Google has laid down strict rules for its platform.

For example, it is forbidden to create videos that are too sales-oriented, that encourage the purchase of products or that deal with illegal subjects. For a complete list of prohibitions, please consult the rules governing external links on YouTube.

As with written content, the key to generating a large number of views on your videos will then be your relevance, humor, and exclusivity to differentiate you from other youtubers.

Where to share affiliate links on Youtube?

The sharing of links (affiliated or not) on Youtube is limited to defined locations:

1. The video description : this is the main place to share affiliate links, directly below your video. This is where you can insert one or more links.
2. Cards: these inserts, which appear while your audience is viewing the video, enable you to offer other videos from your channel for further playback, as well as outgoing links. However, you need to check that the site you wish to link to is on the list of sites authorized by Youtube.
3. Embedded videos : If you repost your videos on social networks or on your website, you can include affiliate links with them.
4. The companion site: If you have a website that accompanies your channel, you can redirect your audience to it and include the affiliate links of your choice (NB: if you use Affilizz's services, you generate all the formats to be published at once: the YouTube link, the social network link, a possible price table for a classic web page, etc.). This method has two advantages:
   - You are not subject to Youtube rules on outbound links, and can redirect your audience to any website.
   - You can offer more effective CTAs than simple text links, such as buttons or price tables (see our article on optimizing CTAs in affiliation).

How to make a success of your affiliation on Youtube?

To succeed in affiliate marketing on YouTube, there are four main rules to follow:

1. Respect your audience by being honest about the products you test and promote, and remember that you are an enthusiast trusted by a community.
2. Make affiliate links available by clearly indicating them in the video description, the cards and on a companion website, to avoid losing revenue. Explain where these links are located:
   - For the description, put the link at the top of the description and indicate it in the video.
   - For the cards, add them at the right moment and make a reminder at the end of the video.
   - For a companion website, redirect directly to the page offering the links. Make them appear at the top of the page. Don't forget that your site must be viewable on both smartphone and desktop.

1. Listen to your audience , using constructive feedback to improve the quality of your content.
2. Improve the quality of your productions by developing your video editing skills to achieve a professional look. You'll find numerous tutorials on Youtube to help you learn how to create beautiful videos.

Youtube affiliation: advantages and disadvantages

Benefits

👍 The opportunity to earn money by talking about your passion
👍 A simple Smartphone is all you need to create videos
👍 The ease of sharing links
👍 A highly developed potential audience

Disadvantages

👎 Places to share links are limited
👎 Youtube's algorithm cannot be bypassed