Google launches micropayments solution

Google has launched a micropayments solution –
One Pass – that enables publishers to charge for online articles
and other content.

One Pass allows publishers to set their own
pricing structures, and offers different models including
subscriptions, pay-per-article and metred-access.

The payments are handled by Google Checkout
and is currently available to publishers in Canada, France,
Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and the US.

Publishers can use the platform to set their
own prices and state different terms for their content.

“Our goal is to provide an open and flexible
platform that furthers our commitment to support publishers,
journalism and access to quality content,” said Lee Shirani,
director of business product management at Google.

“Like First Click Free, Fast Flip and Living
Stories, this is another initiative developed to enable publishers
to promote and distribute digital content.”

German publishers Axel Springer, Focus Online
(Tomorrow Focus) and Stern.de have already signed up, as have
US-based Media General and Rust Communications, French publishers
Nouvelobs and Spanish group Prisa.