Google Adds Venmo Payment Option on US Play Store

Google is expanding payment options on its Play Store in the US by adding Venmo as a viable alternative. This move allows users to link their existing Venmo account and use it for purchases, eliminating the need to add another card. According to Techcrunch, this development gives Google Play another familiar digital payment option alongside services like PayPal and Cash App.

The addition also fits into Google's broader effort to make Play Store payments accessible to more people and markets. Mobile spending has become a significant portion of the app economy, with consumers spending over $167 billion on in-app purchases across iOS and Google Play in 2022, representing a 10.6% increase from the previous year.

Google has been working on removing payment barriers for years, particularly in emerging markets where access to credit cards is not universal. The company has introduced options such as e-wallets, UPI in India, and carrier billing, with over 170 carriers now supporting the latter worldwide.