21 June 2010 | Author: D. Warburton Search Copywriter

Google developing one-click payment system for news content

Google is reportedly developing infrastructure to host a one-click payment system for online news content, which would allow users a range of payment options to access news from various publishers - including micropayments and long-term subscriptions.

The story was leaked by Italian newspaper La Repubblica, which suggested: "Later this year, Google will launch an integrated payment system that will allow users to buy [news content] with one click and publishers to use a single infrastructure for web, mobile and tablet to monetise their content."

Google has made no secret of its plans to charge for news content in the future, outlining its plans for micropayments in September that are expected to work in a similar way to Google Checkout.

Responding to the leaked news, Google explained: "We've consistently said we're talking with news publishers about ways we can work together, including whether we can help them with technology to power any subscription services they may be thinking of building.

"Our aim, as with all Google products, is to reach as broad a global audience as possible."

However, the spokesperson added: "We have nothing specific to announce at this time."

The move towards paid-for content will be a significant turnaround for Google, which has been a staunch supporter of an 'open web'. However, as the company outlined in a document to the Newspaper Association of America in September, "'open' need not mean free. We believe that content on the Internet can thrive supported by multiple business models - including content available only via subscription."

Google News has received criticism from news publishers for its free aggregation of content - despite the service giving greater visibility and driving traffic to many news publishers.

The most outspoken opponent of Google's free model has been Rupert Murdoch, whose recent acquisition of electronic reading platform Skiff is also bringing the advent of paid-for news content one step closer.

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