YouTube is pushing deeper into the world of online shopping, positioning itself as the streaming equivalent of QVC or HSN (a.k.a. the Home Shopping Network).
The video platform said Tuesday it’s partnering with e-commerce heavyweight Shopify to expand its “creator-hosted streamed events.”
Which is to say, more sales pitches from people who present themselves as “influencers” but who may be, in fact, little more than corporate shills.
Live online shopping programs allow viewers to purchase goodies in real time. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.
“Now eligible creators can link their Shopify store to their YouTube channel in just a few steps,” YouTube said in a blog post.
Keep in mind, though, that the easier it becomes to sell you things online, the greater the odds that disreputable types will seek to take advantage of you.
Amazon sued the administrators of thousands of Facebook groups on Tuesday over bogus online