How You Make Money Through Google Play Pass

Google Play Pass is a new service that offers access to hundreds of apps (games included) but without advertisements or microtransactions.

Google Play Pass is a new subscription-based service that offers access to hundreds of apps (games included) but without any advertisements or microtransactions. If you’re an Android developer, you’re likely going to be interested in knowing about the monetization process.

Take due note that the entire business model of Google Play Pass is based on engagement. The more time users spend in your app, the more recurring revenue you can expect to earn. The amount of royalty paid also depends upon the content value that you bring to users. This is something that the Mountain View company will determine through its machine-learning algorithms. Much like its search engine, Google will continuously update the system to make sure Google Play Pass fairly rewards the apps with the highest engagement.

This sort of monetization does come with disadvantages. There are always going to be apps that find it easier to rank high in the engagement metric compared to others. While Google Play Pass does promise to push your app to reach a new widespread audience, no matter the category, retaining new users will always be a challenge. Hence, Android developers are advised to spend more time in providing a high-quality app with regular content updates rather than spam the Google Play Store with a half-baked product at first light.

Google Play Pass is all about creating an experience, says Google. Remember that engagement also comes through menu navigations and design. Your app is unlikely to be curated for the program if it’s a headache to look at. In addition, if your app does get accepted, updating it down the line in unfashionable ways will only lose engagement. Thus, losing you revenue as well.

Unlike Apple Arcade, Google Play Pass isn’t directly funding development nor demanding exclusivity. You can get an invitation from Google to participate but you won’t be paid up front. Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass, for example, not only pays developers in advance but also has royalties down the line.

There’s no harm in asking Google to add more monetary incentives — easily understood — that work for Android developers just like the subscription-based service works for Android users.

You can learn more about Google Play Pass from the official Google Play developer guides. You can also use the same link to fill out a form to express interest in participating in the program.

Google Play Pass isn’t the only new subscription-based service on the block. There’s also Google Stadia, a new cloud-based service, that hopes to shake up the gaming industry. It’s capable of streaming both console and PC games in up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. There’s the additional support for high dynamic range and numerous data centers across the globe that work in tandem to provide a low latency. Also, Google Stadia has an impressive library of games for your consideration.

Saqib is a managing editor at segmentnext.com who has halted regime changes, curbed demonic invasions, and averted at least one cosmic omnicide from the confines of his gaming chair. When not whipping his writers into ...