MENUMENU
  • Services
    • Services
      • Search Engine Optimization
      • International Search Marketing
      • Local Search Marketing
      • Pay Per Click Advertising
      • Social Media Marketing
      • Email Marketing
      • Conversion Rate Optimization
      • Public Relations
      • Website Design & Development
      • Reporting & Analytics
      • Amazon Marketing Services
      • Digital Marketing Strategy
      • Franchise Marketing
  • Case Studies
  • About Us
    • About Ignite Visibility
      • Our Story
      • Clients
      • Our Values
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Our Team
      • UCSD Extension Courses
      • Careers
  • Thought Leadership
      • Our Blog
      • Podcast
      • SEO: The Movie
      • Social Media Marketing: The Movie
      • Book: The Forecaster Method
      • Attend Our Next Digital Marketing Event
  • Contact
  • 619.752.1955
Home / Industry News / Report: Google Turning YouTube Into a Shopping Site

Report: Google Turning YouTube Into a Shopping Site

October 13, 2020 By John E Lincoln

Why not? Everything else is becoming an e-commerce site.

According to a new report from Bloomberg, Google wants you to go shopping on YouTube.

What does that mean, exactly? I’ll go over it in this article.

Google may be turning Youtube into shopping site

Direct Purchases

The idea behind shopping on YouTube is to enable people to purchase products they see in review videos, unboxing videos, tutorials, and more.

Of course, YouTube is already a shopping destination. About half of consumers use videos to make purchasing decisions.

But in the future, Google wants to enable people to purchase items without even leaving the site. Just like they can do on Instagram right now.

That’s why Google is making some changes.

Instagram check out feature

Checkout on Instagram 

What Changes?

Bloomberg reports that Google is already gathering info about products featured in videos. The company is doing that by asking publishers to tag and track products in their clips.

Additionally, Bloomberg says that YouTube confirmed that it’s rolling out product-tagging features. They’re testing those enhancements in a limited number of channels.

YouTube also says that creators will have control over which products get tagged in videos.

Just an Experiment?

Another thing YouTube is saying: the whole project is just an experiment.

However, in the history of software development, plenty of great features start off as experiments. In other words, Google has to test it before they roll it out.

So of course it’s just an experiment.

But you can be sure if the experiment turns out well, YouTube will roll out the full feature set into production.

Shopify Integration

Google is also in the process of testing integration with Shopify. And yes, that integration will be used to sell products on YouTube.

But how will Google make money by offering shopping via video? Presumably, the company will take a cut of each transaction.

Additionally, Google will gather data throughout the shopping experience. Then, the Big G can use that data for shopping purposes.

For example, if people seem interested in videos selling treadmills, then the company can include those folks in an audience consisting of consumers who are likely to purchase a treadmill in the near future.

And then Google makes money off of that advertising and eventual purchases.

But how will publishers make money? That’s a more difficult question.

I’m guessing they’ll become affiliate marketers. In other words, they’ll take a commission for each product they sell.

Before they get to that point, though, they have to qualify to become affiliates. That’s often easier said than done for YouTube publishers who don’t have a huge following.

So if you’re interested in becoming a YouTube merchant, start building your following right now. Then, you’ll be in great shape if and when Google rolls out shopping via video.

Of course, you could also sell your own products on YouTube. Then you won’t have to worry about any kind of approval process.

A History of Shopping Integration

This isn’t the first time YouTube brought e-commerce into YouTube. Just last year, Google partnered with Merchbar to sell products via a bar underneath the video.

Although that gave publishers the ability to sell items, customers had to complete transactions on the Merchbar site.

Youtube Merchbar

Youtube partnership with Merchbar

YouTube also rolled out Shopping Actions last year. That also requires shoppers to visit a third-party site.

Wrapping It Up

It’s probably going to happen, but not any time soon.

If you’re looking forward to selling products on YouTube just in time for Christmas, you should probably prepare for disappointment. I don’t think it will happen that quickly.

Instead, look for a release next summer.

 

About John E Lincoln

John Lincoln (MBA) is CEO of Ignite Visibility (a 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 Inc. 5000 company) a highly sought-after digital marketing strategist, industry speaker and author of two books, "The Forecaster Method" and "Digital Influencer." Over the course of his career, Lincoln has worked with over 1,000 online businesses ranging from small startups to amazing clients such as Office Depot, Tony Robbins, Morgan Stanley, Fox, USA Today, COX and The Knot World Wide. John Lincoln is the editor of the Ignite Visibility blog. While he is a contributor, he does not write all of the articles and in many cases he is supported to ensure timely content.

You may also like:

  • Instagram Emphasizes Photos Again
    Breaking Digital Marketing News (Updated Every Friday)

  • Christine Hsu Evans, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at Headspace…

  • Clutch Highlights Ignite Visibility As a Top SEO Company for…
  • Tim Ellis Marketer of the Week
    Tim Ellis, Chief Marketing Officer for the National Football League…

Search Here

NEWSLETTER // SIGN UP NOW

About The Editor

John E Lincoln, CEO

John Lincoln is CEO of Ignite Visibility, one of the top digital marketing agencies in the nation and a 6x Inc. 5,000 company. Lincoln is consistently named one of the top marketing experts in the industry. He has been recipient of the Search Engine Land "Search Marketer of the Year" award, named the #1 SEO consultant in the USA by Clutch.co, most admired CEO and 40 under 40. Lincoln has written two books (The Forecaster Method and Digital Influencer) and made two movies (SEO: The Movie and Social Media Marketing: The Movie) on digital marketing. He is a digital marketing strategy adviser to some of the biggest names in business. John Lincoln is the editor of the Ignite Visibility blog. While he is a major contributor, he does not write all of the articles.

LEARN MORE ABOUT JOHN

Contact Us. Let’s Chat!

  • Hidden

Marketing Guides

SEO In 2020: How To Prepare For Major Disruption

"SEO: The Movie" - Have You Seen Our Film? Watch Now

"Social Media Marketing: The Movie" - Have You Seen Our Film? Watch Now

Amazon Seller Central vs Vendor Central

Listen To The Podcast Featuring The Best Minds In Marketing

John Lincoln Interviews Global Director of Digital Marketing & Strategy at Qualcomm, Jessica Jensen

Check Out 227 Free Online Marketing Classes

The 2020 Guide To Dominating SEO With Advanced Schema

Learn More About Our Digital Marketing Agency

Learn More About Our SEO Services

Learn More About Our Paid Media Services

SELECT CATEGORY

Become A Contributor

Interested in writing for Ignite Visibility?

APPLY NOW

Services

  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Pay Per Click Management
  • Conversion Rate Optimization
  • Website Design & Development
  • Social Media Company
  • Public Relations
  • Amazon Marketing Services
  • Franchise Marketing
  • International Services
  • Digital Marketing Agency Services

About

  • Our Team
  • Our Values
  • Clients
  • Reviews
  • UCSD Extension Courses
  • Careers
  • Tools & Resources
  • Sitemap

Contact

4250 Executive Square, Suite 100
La Jolla, California 92037

619.752.1955

Join The Newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest from Ignite Visibility.

google parther logo

©2022 Ignite Visibility. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy