Google pushes ahead with test for new billing options

Google pushes ahead with test for new billing options

San Gfrancisco, 11/14/2022.

Google is running a test for alternative billing options in the Play Store in the U.S., Brazil and South Africa. Spotify has joined to participate as a pilot tester in the program, which allows Android users to choose their preferred payment option for in-app content purchases.

Google and Spotify announced the in-app purchase pilot in March. Called User Choice Billing (UCB), it allows app users to choose between Google Play Store billing and alternative payment systems for in-app purchases.

In return, Google is offering developers a 4% discount on user transaction fees. That means the company gets a cut of 11% or 26% per transaction, which is lower than the 15% to 30% it normally takes.

Since March, Google has expanded the third-party billing option to other developers in Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan and the European Economic Area (EEA). It says UCB is now available in 35 countries.