14 DAY TRIAL // Just recently, Apple made major changes to its App Store and added a new revenue sharing model that gives developers a higher share of profits when users subscribe to a service via their applications. Now it seems that Google is considering introducing the same modifications in its Play Store.
Apple upped the profit share for developers from 70/30 to 85/15 for subscriptions, but the catch is that only subscriptions older than 12 months will benefit from the higher share.
The company also intends to make big changes to its discovery and subscription methods, allowing users to subscribe to games as well. The new move implies that developers would benefit more only from their long-term subscribers, and it is also supposed to lead to better deals and certain advantages to loyal users.
Recode reports that Google is working on a similar move, but with one significant advantage over Apple's. Google intends to make the same share profit available right away, without the 12 month minimum lifetime.
Google is testing the Subscription 2.0, which offers the same split share
Google’s similar program is called Subscription 2.0, and the news website reports that the firm is already testing the new split with entertainment companies. Still, it’s unclear when the company will actually roll out the new pricing plan. The move could also mean lower subscription prices for all, since the split share would drop from 70/30 to 85/15 in favor of developers.
Google’s move was to be expected, considering that it has been encouraging developers to invest in Android. The company also allowed developers to handle payments without its involvement, as opposed to Apple, which requires payments to go through its iTunes billing system.
A month ago, Google announced Early Access for beta apps on the Play store in order to help users join and leave beta testing programs easily, as well as to support developers.