Jakarta, Indonesia – Video-sharing platform YouTube has announced its partnership with e-commerce platform Shopee to launch YouTube Shopping in Indonesia. The tie-up will also be released in Thailand and Vietnam in the following weeks.
The collaboration allows people to purchase products displayed on YouTube through links that lead to Shopee. This feature has previously been only available in the United States and South Korea.
YouTube Asia-Pacific director Ajay Vidyasagar explained that the “energy and velocity around online shopping” in Indonesia inspired the move.
The launch is part of YouTube’s goal of providing creators with a platform for successful businesses. While the launch benefits consumers in Southeast Asia, the collaboration also issues opportunities for content creators through the YouTube Shopping affiliate program.
“We want more of you to be able to share your favourite products with fans and grow your businesses on YouTube. There are now over 250,000 creators in the YouTube Shopping affiliate program, and soon that number will grow,” the company said in its blog.
The company also announced the launch of gifts on live streams that allow earnings from viewer participation. Audience engagement will also evolve through the ‘Community Hub’ feature, which reflects audience feedback and metrics.
