Google just announced, in a lengthy 8 page pdf (see below) plans to launch a new micropayment process that will allow content developers to put some of their premium content behind a paywall. Many believe this has the potential to save newspapers, or at least infuse the cluttered internet with higher quality, “Pay-Per-Veiw” content. I’m interested to see if Google can develop a significant revenue stream outside of advertising, and think this may have potential to do so. It also brings up a question about them moving away from one of their ideological mantras to make all information free and available to the masses. Clearly, going public has facilitated a slightly different view. All being said, I think it’s a good move for them, and a capitalistic move for online information.
If you want to learn more feel free to read pdf Google released:
Google’s proposal to the Newspaper Association of America
