Google Play Store expands ‘user choice billing’ test to US

Google has announced the expansion of Play Store user billing alternatives test in the US and other markets. Eventually, the company mentioned that third-party apps can actively participate in this beta activity.

To those who are unaware, user choice billing enables Android app developers to use their own payment systems instead of Google’s. As a result, developers no more need Google’s in-built system to hold payment actions in their apps.

To be specific, users will have the choice to either use the Google Play Store’s in-app purchasing system or the developer’s payment system while buying in-app content (in supported countries).

The tech maker initiated the user choice billing beta tests in September. At that time, the company rolled out the pilot stage in Australia, EEA (European Economic Area), India, Indonesia, and Japan.

After the fruitful outcomes, Google Play Store has pushed off the user choice billing test in the US, Brazil, and South Africa. Alongside this, the latest expansion will make the user choice billing available in 35 regions worldwide.

 Spotify – the first pilot tester

Further, Google informed that Spotify is the first third-party app that has begun billing alternative testing. Thereafter, the Bumble application also joined this recruitment process.

After the stable implementation, Android users will catch a new user interface on Spotify and other apps. This user interface will permit users to choose how they want to pay for monthly or other subscription packages.

Requirements:

On the other hand, developers who want to adopt the user choice billing system in their applications, need to follow some major guidelines of Google. As per these regulations, developers must show separate screens for the billing options.

Further, the billing screen must be visible before every purchase. Aside, developers must fulfill the below-given requirements:

• Your app must be a non-gaming mobile or tablet app
• The developer must be a registered business
• Implement trust and safety requirements, and user experience guidelines when available
• Only offer user choice billing to mobile and tablet users in announced pilot countries
• Comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) (if handling credit and debit card data)

To get more detailed information about these guidelines, click HERE.

According to Google’s words, this is just the beginning and the company will continue to expand the new billing alternative testing in more regions in the time ahead.

[Source]