Google launches user-selection billing on Google Play in the UK
Google today announced that it will be offering user choice billing in the UK, offering the ability for Google Play developers to use other billing options rather than Google’s own system. This change began on March 29th and is initially only available to non-game developers.
If the developer chooses it, it cannot completely replace Google Play billing. Instead, third-party routes are provided as an option.
Developers who choose to use the alternative billing option will receive a 4% discount on the fees they pay to Google (considering the fees that third parties will also charge). Google typically receives up to 30% savings on in-app transactions and paid downloads.
in Blog post Announcing the change, Google claimed that over 90% of developers on the platform are either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with Google Play’s native billing. However, “We recognize that some developers may want to choose more about how they process payments. With this launch, developers can provide additional billing systems along with Google Play’s billing system, allowing users to choose the options they want to use at checkout.”
The backstory is a bit more rosy than Google being a good person.
Google’s move is actually a long-awaited response to a Competitive Markets Bureau (CMA) A survey that goes back to 2022.
At the time, the competitive watchdog was revealed Report Based on a year-long study of the mobile ecosystem, we noted that both Apple’s power in the Google and Apple market could be subject to regulatory scrutiny. Corporate app stores were the only in-app billing providers on their respective platforms, but were particularly focused when investigating the anti-competitive duopoly status of Google and Apple.
That was just the beginning. 2023, Google suggestion Being able to resolve antitrust probes by providing developers with user choice requests. In response, the CMA will be Consultation has begun We’ve invited developers to provide feedback on Google’s suggestions.
CMA was eventually closed Last year, a survey of Google and Appleplease note that we plan to use regulatory reforms. Digital Market Competition Bill, etc.regulating these companies in the mobile market.
In the meantime, Google has allowed claims from third parties elsewhere in response to regulatory pressures to open the App Store to more competition.
Included in countries where Google already offers user choice billing USsimilarly India, Australia, Indonesia, Japan, and the European Economic Zone (EEA)everything follows the same committee and fees as in the UK