YouTube Now Hawking Click-to-Buy Ringtones

Along with overlaid affiliate links to buy MP3s on iTunes and Amazon, YouTube will now feature click-to-buy ringtones on top of videos that feature music from its content partners. So if you’re watching the music video for “Every LittIe Thing She Does Is Magic,” and want to make the song play every time your girlfriend calls, it’s just that easy. I’ll never understand how shortened versions of songs can cost $2.99, but hey, Thumbplay makes it easy by charging it to your phone bill and send you a direct mobile download link.

A YouTube spokesperson said, “We’re constantly looking for innovative ways to offer users more content on YouTube, while providing partners with new opportunities to generate revenue.” Sales of ringtones are actually on the decline, but if it’s another place to unobtrusively eke out a dime, great. Other recent YouTube revenue-generating efforts include monetizing viral videos when they take off, partnering with FreeWheel to help partners serve their own ads, and allowing overlaid links to outside sites.