YouTube Is Shifting And Now Allows You To Shop Directly On The Video Platform.
Will YouTube Be The New Place To Online Shop?
You heard that right! YouTube is working on a new eCommerce feature that enables creators to tag products displayed throughout their video! Viewers can simply tap on any product in a clip to see more information.
“The goal is to convert YouTube’s bounty of videos into a vast catalog of items that viewers can read, click on and buy directly” (Bloomberg).
Who remembers 2018 when YouTube first began venturing into eCommerce through their merchandise ‘shelf’ for product tie-ins? The merchandise shelf allowed creators to showcase their branded products beneath their video clips.
And then came virtual try-on…
YouTube also added “AR try-on videos,” where the platform would display a split-screen with the YouTube video playing on top. Simultaneously, viewers could utilize their cameras to see what they would personally look like wearing a specific product.
We all know the struggle of blindly ordering make-up products online and don’t even get me started on the return process!
YouTube is taking a more advanced approach to video eCommerce through integrated product listings and this method of video monetization is, let’s just say a LEVEL UP!
But how does it compare?
Now the question is, how does YouTube’s method of product tags compare to LIKEtoKNOW.it and the IG shop feature? LIKEtoKNOW.it allows viewers to shop through Influencer posts housed in an app. The Instagram shop feature enables viewers to shop for products through the post itself. All of that is great, but being able to tap on any product you see within a video clip that the creator has tagged is the value this feature brings to the table.
Mind-blowing, really.
More doors are being opened for creators to generate direct revenue from their content. And now, there are more ways to include more products in their clips. New advertising opportunities are also being created for brands, using popular YouTubers to help showcase their products.
This video eCommerce approach is just the start of significant evolution for YouTube and other social platforms to follow.