Unlock YouTube Earnings: New 500 Subscriber Requirement for Shopping Program

The video-sharing giant announced on March 30 that it will relax the eligibility criteria for its YouTube Partner Program (YPP), allowing creators with just 500 subscribers to participate in its Shopping affiliate program.
The YPP Shopping program enables creators to monetize their content by tagging branded products in their videos, Shorts, and live streams. When viewers purchase the tagged items, creators earn a commission. Commission rates vary depending on the product type and brand, but average around 15%.
This move is part of a gradual easing of eligibility criteria. The subscriber threshold has been lowered from 10,000 to 5,000, and then to 1,000 earlier this year. YouTube cites the effectiveness of interest-based subscriber recommendations in driving actual purchases as a key reason for expanding the program.
Currently, the YPP Shopping program is available in several countries, including the United States, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brazil, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
A YouTube spokesperson explained that this policy change reflects the company’s commitment to supporting creators partner throughout their growth.
The YPP Shopping program has become a key revenue stream for creators in the early stages of their channel development. Reports suggest that creators with around 10,000 subscribers generate 70-80% of their total YouTube revenue through this program.