Google finally decided to halve the Play Store commission. A few months after Apple, the Mountain View giant will reduce the commission levied on purchases made through its application store. All developers will benefit from this easing on the first million dollars in revenue generated each year.
Google announced a reduction in the Play Store commission. “As of July 1, 2021, we are reducing the commission Google Play receives to 15% when a developer sells digital goods or services for the first million dollars in revenue that any developer earns each year,” said Sameer Samat, vice -President of product management at Google, in a statement.
Once the million dollars in revenue is exceeded, developers will have to pay the traditional 30% commission . Like Apple, Google is seeking to ease the burden on small developers. “Thanks to this change, 99% of developers worldwide who sell digital goods and services with Google Play will see their fees reduced by 50%,” said the executive.
EPIC GAMES TACKLES REDUCTION ANNOUNCED BY GOOGLE
Tim Sweeney, founder of Epic Games , the studio behind Fortnite, quickly stepped up to criticize Google's decision. “The vast majority of publishers will benefit from this new 15% rate and will therefore be less inclined to fight, but the vast majority of income comes from apps for which the 30% rate applies,” said Tim Sweeney on Twitter. As a reminder, Epic Games saw Fortnite kicked out of the Play Store last year. In violation of the rules of the store, the publisher had offered its own in-app payment system.
Remember: Apple made a similar decision a few months ago . Since January 1, 2021, the Californian group has taken only 15% on all app purchases or in-app payments via the App Store. On the other hand, only iOS developers who generate less than a million dollars per year are concerned.
Like Apple, Google is essentially trying to improve its image by reaching out to small developers. But, mirroring the brand to the apple, the search giant takes care to protect most of its income . Under these conditions, Tim Sweeney openly accuses Google and Apple of manipulating developers and “cheating consumers with their tax on apps” .