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# Monetizing YouTube Content With Merchandise Annotations
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/monetizing-youtube-content-with-merchandise-annotations/
- Published: 2012-11-21T11:28:00.000Z
- Updated: 2012-11-21T11:28:00.000Z
- Description: Guest post by Valeria Bornstein of Fame House YouTube is one of the most pervasive social media outlets for both music discovery and fan engagement. As one of the world’s leading online video. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2012/11/monetizing-youtube-content-with-merchandise-annot
- Author: admin
- Tags: Music Marketing, Social Media, Vinyl, Cassettes & Retail, YouTube & Video, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 10:49

[![YouTube-Music-Shop](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e2017c33d4275b970b-150wi "YouTube-Music-Shop")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e2017c33d4275b970b-popup?ref=hypebot.com)

Guest post by [Valeria Bornstein](https://twitter.com/ValeriaRb?ref=hypebot.com) of [Fame House](http://famehouse.net/?ref=hypebot.com)

**YouTube** is one of the most pervasive social media outlets for  
both music discovery and fan engagement. As one of the world’s leading online  
video services, YouTube provides artists with tools to effectively market their  
brand on the network. Many of these tools are made available through the  
[YouTube Partner Program](http://support.google.com/youtube/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=72851&ref=hypebot.com), a program that allows content creators to improve  
their marketing and creative skills, reach larger audiences, and **monetize their**  
**videos**.

  
The YouTube Partner Program most notably assists artists in  
monetizing video content through advertising. YouTube recently launched the  
Merchandise Annotations Tool, which aims to provide artists with a new means of  
monetizing video content. Artists can now promote the sale of licensed  
merchandise directly in their videos. Merchandise annotations can link to  
pre-approved external sales sites.

So far, YouTube has approved Google Play, Shopify, District Lines,  
Cafepress, Spreadshirt, Topspin, Jinx, Songkick, and iTunes (additional  
retailers are said to be approved soon). With Merchandise Annotations enabled,  
fans can now link to purchase sites from within the video without having to  
look for links to storefronts elsewhere. Before adding this feature, videos  
were mostly monetized by adding advertisements – an experience that isn’t  
exactly engaging for fans. By adding the Merchandise Annotations feature,  
YouTube makes shopping convenient for fans on the platform while giving artists  
an engaging means of monetization.

When using Merchandise Annotations, it’s important to keep some basic  
practices in mind. The length of time that people watch your video is important  
when it comes to view counts and SEO. Annotations would be more effective if  
they appeared near the end of the video, or at a time where it wouldn’t take  
away from the viewing experience. Viewers should be encouraged to watch the  
entire video, and should not be driven away by an annotation that appears at  
the wrong time.

Annotations should also be entered at an optimal time where view  
time is not disrupted and purchasing is encouraged. They should contain  
captivating copy and stand out as a purchasing message, while not being overly  
annoying or distracting to the viewer. The messaging should also be clear so  
that the audience does not mistake it for advertising.

Creating videos showcasing your merchandise is an engaging way  
to not only promote your merchandise, but also showcase and test your  
Merchandise Annotations. Getting creative with your video content and  
showcasing your annotations in an engaging, meaningful way can make a big  
difference in the monetization of your YouTube content.

—

*[Valeria Bornstein](http://twitter.com/valeriarb?ref=hypebot.com), [Fame House](http://famehouse.net/?ref=hypebot.com)*

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