Thai viewers will find it easier to make purchases on YouTube's entertainment platform thanks to a partnership between Shopee and YouTube.
Following a successful launch in Indonesia, Thailand is the fourth country to be part of YouTube's Shopping affiliate programme, and second in Southeast Asia. Creators in Thailand who meet the requirements can now sign up for the programme and tag Shopee items in their content.
"YouTube is a unique platform that connects viewers, brands and creators. Our affiliate programme will empower creators to monetise their content and provide viewers with a seamless shopping experience," said Mukpim Anantachai, head of YouTube partnerships, Thailand.
"By recommending products directly in their videos, creators can add value for their communities, while brands can gain access to a trusted network of influencers to promote products. Following successful launches in the US, Korea and Indonesia, this is an exciting opportunity for Thai creators to explore new revenue streams, and for brands to reach a wider audience."
This expansion taps into Thailand's thriving digital economy, which is projected to reach a gross merchandise value of US$50 billion by 2025. As a major driver of Thailand's digital economy, the e-commerce sector, representing 61% of total digital GMV in 2023, is poised for continued growth, reaching $30 billion by 2025.
In 2023, people watched over 30 billion hours of shopping-related videos on YouTube, indicating their confidence in product advice and the need for authentic product reviews and demonstrations.
According to a Kantar survey, 87% of viewers in Thailand agree that YouTube helps them make decisions. In addition, 93% of respondents agree that the information they saw made them feel confident about a purchase.
YouTube Shopping allows users to watch videos from their favourite creators and browse a list of tagged items with details in the video's description. Viewers will then be conveyed to an external sales page to begin shopping by clicking on a product.
