“YouTube content partners now have the ability to promote and monetize their content in a new and exciting way and create a deeper distribution channel for their content online,” said Chad Hurley, co-founder and CEO, YouTube. “Our goal is to improve the overall YouTube experience by connecting consumers with relevant information and entertaining content. The addition of retail links will enhance the viewing experience and allow people to engage more deeply with the content they want to consume.”
The retail link that is the click-to-buy button will enable users to purchase music videos and select videos like the ones authorized by EMI Music. It seems that the service will be offered in other parts of the world as well but that will happen some time later.