To add a YouTube merch shelf, your channel must qualify for YouTube Shopping, you must connect an official store through YouTube Studio, and that store must have at least one eligible product. The shelf is enabled automatically when applicable; you can reposition or hide it in channel customization.
Check whether your channel is eligible
YouTube’s current own-products guidance says a channel must be in the YouTube Partner Program, meet the subscriber threshold for YPP or be an Official Artist Channel, and not be set as Made for Kids or have a significant number of videos set as made for kids. The channel must also have no Hate Speech Community Guidelines strikes. YouTube’s guidance does not state the subscriber threshold in the eligibility excerpt, so check the current status shown for your channel in Studio rather than relying on an older number.
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If you do not see the Shopping tab in Studio, first confirm that the channel meets the eligibility requirements. YouTube says the tab appears only for eligible channels. See YouTube’s Shopping eligibility and setup guidance.
Connect your merchandise store
- On a computer, sign in to YouTube Studio.
- Select Earn, then open Shopping.
- If you have not connected a store, select Get Started. If a store is already connected and you want to add another, select Connect new store.
- Follow the on-screen steps to connect your official merchandise store.
YouTube allows creators to connect more than one store. Its supported-platform guidance includes BASE (Japan only), Cafe24 (South Korea and Japan only), FourthWall, Marpple Shop (South Korea only), Shopify, SHOPLINE, Spreadshop, Spring (formerly Teespring), Suzuri (Japan only), TeePublic, and Wix. Availability can vary by country, so confirm local support with the provider and check YouTube’s current connect-a-store instructions.
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If you use Shopify
- Install the Google & YouTube app in your Shopify store.
- Connect a Google Account with admin access to the YouTube channel.
- In the app, open Overview, then YouTube Shopping, and select Get Started.
- Choose the intended YouTube channel, review and accept the program rules, and complete setup.
If one Google login manages multiple channels, check the channel selection before confirming.
Make the shelf visible and set its position
YouTube describes the store shelf as a way for mobile viewers to discover a channel store and browse products from the channel homepage. It can show product images, names, prices, and a button to visit the store. When a connected store has eligible products, the shelf is enabled automatically when applicable.
- In YouTube Studio on desktop, open Customization, then the Home tab.
- Find Products from store.
- Drag the shelf to change its position, or toggle it off to hide it.
You can also use the Studio app to turn the shelf off. If the labels differ in your account, follow the current channel customization controls. More detail is in YouTube’s guide to managing products from your store.
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Choose which products appear
With a connected store and at least one eligible product, YouTube may automatically show products in video descriptions and on the channel’s Store tab. To choose and order items for your channel-level selection, go to YouTube Studio → Earn → Shopping, select Create own selection or Customize, drag products into the order you want, and save. YouTube allows up to 30 products in this selection; controls and availability can change.
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Product shelves below or beside videos and livestreams are not available to every channel. If you do not have that placement, use the channel store and other surfaces available in your account.
Understand product review, sales, and shipping
YouTube says connected products are automatically reviewed for compliance with YouTube policies and Google Merchant Center policies. Shopify-specific instructions say review typically takes a few business days, but that timing should not be assumed for other store platforms. Individual products can be disapproved.
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The connected retailer or commerce platform—not Google—is responsible for merch sales. Check with that provider about product approval, store-feed details, shipping destinations, fulfillment, and the countries it serves.
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- The Shopping tab is missing: Check your channel’s YPP status, subscriber eligibility or Official Artist Channel status, audience settings, and strike status. The tab appears only when YouTube considers the channel eligible.
- The shelf does not appear: Verify that the store connection is complete and that it contains at least one eligible product. Product displays depend on eligibility and availability for your channel.
- A product is absent or disapproved: Check its review status and resolve any YouTube or Google Merchant Center policy issue shown. For feed or listing questions, contact the store provider.
- Your store platform cannot be connected: Confirm that it is on YouTube’s supported list and that the integration is available in your country.
- You cannot find a product shelf beside a video or livestream: That placement is not enabled for every channel. Use the channel Store tab or another available YouTube surface.
Or let it run in the cloud
Adding a merch shelf is separate from keeping a prerecorded video live on YouTube. For that, StreamNeo is a cloud service for looping uploaded videos on YouTube: upload a recording or playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. It supports any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream, and the first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
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