YouTube has added AliExpress as a partner in its shopping affiliate program. The deal allows creators to tag AliExpress products directly in their videos, Shorts, and livestreams. Viewers can then click through to AliExpress and complete their purchases without a separate search.
The partnership first launched in South Korea in March 2026. Creators there can already search for and select AliExpress products within YouTube Creator Studio. YouTube plans to expand the deal to the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Germany next.
This move fits into YouTube’s broader push to turn video content into a shopping channel. The platform already added Amazon as an affiliate partner in August 2026. It also partnered with regional retailers like Coupang and Kurly in South Korea. YouTube now plans to offer affiliate listings in 35 markets by the end of 2026.
The numbers suggest this strategy is working. YouTube’s shopping affiliate program has grown to over 1.3 million creators. The platform also reported 13x growth in gross merchandise volume over two years. In addition, YouTube says shopping tags drive more than twice as many clicks as traditional description links.
For AliExpress, the partnership opens a massive promotional channel. The platform lists over 100 million products, and its US gross merchandise volume rose 50% year over year during its May 2026 promotional period. Pairing that catalog with YouTube’s creator base could significantly boost its reach in Western markets.
However, YouTube has not disclosed commission rates or payment terms for the AliExpress partnership. Creators also face growing competition from TikTok Shop, which has aggressively expanded its in-app commerce features. Still, YouTube’s massive audience and established creator ecosystem give it a strong foundation to compete in social commerce.
