Shopify Collabs Quietly Paused New Creator Signups—Here’s Your Q4 2025 Workaround to Keep Getting Paid by Shopify Brands

What changed (and why it matters this week)

Shopify Collabs now shows a notice: “Collabs isn't accepting new creator signups at this time.” Existing creators can still use the app, and merchants can continue to invite creators directly. That makes the merchant invite your fastest path back in. ^[1]

On the merchant side, Shopify also documents a temporary bulk‑invite window—stores can import and invite up to 1,000 creators in any 7‑day period when this feature is activated (then it reverts to 100). If you’re a creator, this is your leverage to ask brands to send you an invite now. ^[2]

Your 72‑hour plan to replace lost Collabs access

1) Get invited directly by brands (the “back door”)

• Ask the brand’s marketing or ecommerce lead to “Invite creator” from their Collabs app and use the bulk import if they plan multiple invites this week. Include your payout email and preferred code. ^[3]
• Mention the current invite window: up to 1,000 creators in 7 days helps them scale Q4 seeding and affiliate launches. ^[4]

2) Use YouTube Shopping affiliate with Shopify merchants

If you’re in YPP and meet eligibility, you can tag Shopify merchants’ products directly in videos/Shorts. YouTube expanded its Shopping affiliate program to US creators in YPP with subscriber thresholds (previous rollout referenced 20K+ subs). Merchants connect via the Google & YouTube app in Shopify, which exposes catalogs to creators for tagging. For holiday content, this lets you earn affiliate commission even if your Collabs account is pending. ^[5]

3) Stack non‑Shopify interim monetization

• Gumroad for instant product drops (10% + $0.50/tx; 30% on marketplace discovery). They’re Merchant of Record since Jan 1, 2025, handling global sales tax for you. ^[7]
• Ko‑fi for tips/memberships fast: free plan has up to 5% service fee; Ko‑fi Gold ($12/mo) drops platform fee to 0% on tips/memberships/commissions. ^[8]

Holiday‑proof your payouts: settings, fees, and timelines

Revenue math: what “good” looks like in November

Execution checklist for this week (Nov 10–16)

• Make a hit list of 10 Shopify brands you already use; email for a Collabs invite and reference their 1,000‑invite capacity this week. ^[14]
• Connect YouTube Shopping: ensure you meet YPP criteria and confirm catalog access for those brands (via the Google & YouTube app on Shopify). ^[15]
• Plan two formats: one “Top 10 Under $25” Shorts carousel and one 6–8‑minute “Editor’s Picks” with product tags.
• Ask brands for a temporary BFCM commission boost (e.g., +5–10 pts for 10 days). Many brands are using default rates; boosts get prioritized now. ^[16]
• Backstop revenue with a digital quick win (Gumroad) and a supporter lane (Ko‑fi) in your link‑in‑bio before Friday. ^[17]

Risk notes and gotchas

• Some auto‑payouts in Collabs may include a 2.9% commission processing fee; align on whether the brand or creator absorbs it before launch. ^[18]
• YouTube Shopping affiliate access depends on YPP eligibility and merchant participation; verify your access and the brand’s default rate in advance. ^[19]
• Holiday inventory changes quickly—brands should pre‑load Affiliate Sellers & Offers so creators see live rates/stock. ^[20]

Why this still works—even with the signup pause

Shopify’s own docs make clear: merchants can keep inviting you during the freeze, and there’s a short‑term invite capacity that favors fast movers. Meanwhile, YouTube’s Shopping affiliate rails give you a second monetization lane with many of the same Shopify catalogs—no Collabs application required. Combine both and you’re covered for BFCM and December gifting. ^[21]

Actionable takeaways

• Ask brands for Collabs invites now; cite the 1,000‑creator import capacity to speed approvals. ^[23]
• Turn on YouTube Shopping affiliate and tag Shopify merchants’ products in Shorts and long‑form gift guides. ^[24]
• Negotiate a BFCM commission boost above the brand’s default rate for 10–14 days. ^[25]
• Backstop with Gumroad (10% + $0.50/tx; taxes handled) and Ko‑fi (0–5% fees) for digital upsells and supporter revenue. ^[26]

“Collabs isn’t accepting new creator signups… Merchants can continue to send direct invites to creators.” That line is your green light to keep earning this month—just switch your entry point. ^[27]