Google Allows Spotify To Use Its Own In-App Payment System: Users Now Have Option Of Google Play Billing Or Spotify Payment

After years of the audio streaming and media services provider Spotify having to fork more than 30% of its payments for premium services, processed through Google’s PlayStore option or Apple’s AppStore, the Swedish company has finally reached an understanding with the American tech giant Google.

According to an announcement made by Google and Spotify on Wednesday, Android users who have downloaded the Spotify app through Google PlayStore will now be presented with an option to make payments in the app through Spotify’s payment system, besides the Google Play Billing.

Complete details about this one-of-its-kind partnership is provided below.

Google & Spotify Partnership

Android users who have downloaded the Spotify app through PlayStores will now be provided with two choices of making payments in-app.

This will include:

• Spotify’s payment system, and
• Google Play Billing

Such a partnership, which has never happened before, will allow the two payment options to remain side by side in Spotify, a feat which will allow a small number of participating developers, starting with Spotify, to offer an additional billing option next to Google Play’s billing system in their apps, stated Reuters.

The two companies announced a multi-year agreement on Wednesday, and through this new feature, people would be given more freedom to subscribe and make purchases while using the app, directly on the app, and not through PlayStore, or AppStore in Apple’s case.

“Spotify will continue to freely communicate with users about our Premium subscription service, promote discounts and promotions, and give listeners on our Free tier the ability to convert to Premium directly in the app,” informed the company.

Also, the two companies will be working closely to substantially build the new experience, followed by rolling out the same in different countries.

“We anticipate launching the first iteration of User Choice Billing later this year,” stated a Spotify blog post.