Google Gives In to Spotify on Payment Choice

Spotify, earnings, Q4 2021

Spotify has reached an agreement with Google to allow Android users to pay for the service through either Google Play Billing or Spotify’s payment system, a Spotify blog post said.

The users who have downloaded Spotify from the Google Play store will be given the choice of payment options. The two options will be side by side in the app.

Developers like Spotify have complained for years that Google Play and Apple App Store don’t allow direct payment to developers, but require payments to go through the Google or Apple payment systems, which take a hefty processing fee.

Spotify plans to work with Google’s product and engineering teams to build the new experience and roll out in countries around the world.

The program was characterized as a “pilot” and part of a “multi-year agreement.”

The companies plan to “test and learn” and explore product innovations across the Android platform, with the first Choice Billing iteration coming later this year.

Alex Norström, Chief Freemium Business Officer, commented, “Spotify is on a years-long journey to ensure app developers have the freedom to innovate and compete on a level playing field.”

See also: Spotify May Add Blockchain, NFTs to Streaming Service

PYMNTS wrote that Spotify was considering adding blockchain technology and NFTs to its streaming service.

The report says the move excites those in the cryptocurrency and music industries because digital assets can boost earnings for artists.

Spotify has been recruiting people to work on early Web3 projects, though the company didn’t reply to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, Meta Platforms founder Mark Zuckerberg has said Instagram will soon support NFTs on that platform.