Google Changes Play Store Fees
Google Changes Play Store Fees
Google 更改 Play 商店收費
Introduction
Google is changing how it takes money from app developers. This happens because Google and Epic Games had a legal fight.
Google 正在改變從應用程式開發者收費的方式。這是因為 Google 與 Epic Games 之間發生了法律糾紛。
Main Body
Google used to take 30 percent of the money. Now, the price is different. Small companies pay 10 percent. Big companies pay between 20 and 25 percent. Some people also pay a small 5 percent fee for using Google's payment system.
Google 以前會收取 30% 的費用。現在價格有所變動，小公司支付 10%，大公司則支付 20% 至 25% 之間。部分使用者若使用 Google 的付款系統，還需支付 5% 的低額費用。
Now, developers can use other payment websites. They can put a link in their app. This helps them save money. Google also gives lower prices to apps that work very well and are safe.
現在開發者可以使用其他的付款網站，他們可以在應用程式中放置連結，這有助於他們節省成本。Google 也針對表現優異且安全的應用程式提供較低的價格。
These changes start at different times. The US and Europe started in June. Australia starts in September. Japan and Korea start in December. All countries will have these rules by 2027.
這些變更在不同時間點生效。美國與歐洲於六月開始，澳洲於九月開始，日本與韓國則於十二月開始。所有國家將在 2027 年前全面實施這些規則。
Conclusion
Google is changing its fees and payment rules to end its fight with Epic Games.
Google 正在更改其費用與付款規則，以結束與 Epic Games 的爭鬥。
Vocabulary Learning
📅 Talking about Time & Dates
In this text, we see how to say when things happen. This is a key skill for A2 learners.
1. The Word 'Start' We use start to show the beginning of a change.
- Example: "Australia starts in September."
2. Months and Years We use the preposition in before a month or a year.
- in June
- in September
- in December
- by 2027 (This means 'no later than')
3. Quick Pattern Map Place Time US/Europe June Australia September Japan/Korea December
💡 Simple Tip:
When you talk about the future or a schedule, keep it simple:
[Subject] + [starts/happens] + [in] + [Month].
Vocabulary Learning
Google Updates Play Store Billing Fees After Epic Games Settlement
Google 在與 Epic Games 達成和解後，更新 Play Store 的計費費用
Introduction
Google has started introducing a new fee system for the Play Store. This change follows a legal agreement with Epic Games regarding unfair competition and market practices.
Google 已開始為 Play Store 引入一套新的收費系統。此次變更係隨後與 Epic Games 就不公平競爭和市場行為達成法律協議而定。
Main Body
The new system replaces the old 30 percent commission model. Now, Google has divided its costs into two parts: service fees and billing fees. For developers who earn less than $1 million per year, there is a flat 10 percent service fee. For larger companies, the rates vary between 20 and 25 percent depending on when the app was installed. Additionally, a 5 percent billing fee applies to transactions made through Google's own platform, although this rate can change depending on the country.
新系統取代了舊有的 30% 抽成模式。現在，Google 將其成本分為兩部分：服務費和計費費。對於年收入低於 100 萬美元的開發者，將收取 10% 的固定服務費。對於大型公司，費率則根據應用程式的安裝時間在 20% 至 25% 之間變動。此外，透過 Google 自家平台進行的交易需支付 5% 的計費費，不過此費率可能會根據國家而有所不同。
Furthermore, the agreement allows developers to use external payment links. By using 'choice screens' that follow Google's guidelines, developers can send users to their own billing systems. This allows them to avoid the 5 percent billing fee, although they must still pay the service fee. To encourage better app quality, Google is also launching the 'Games Level Up' and 'Apps Experience' programs. These initiatives offer lower fees to developers who improve their app's security, memory use, and cross-platform performance.
此外，該協議允許開發者使用外部付款連結。開發者可以透過遵循 Google 指南的「選擇螢幕」，將使用者導向至自己的計費系統。這讓他們能避開 5% 的計費費，但仍須支付服務費。為了鼓勵提升應用程式品質，Google 還推出了「Games Level Up」和「Apps Experience」計畫。這些計畫將為改善應用程式安全性、記憶體使用及跨平台性能的開發者提供更低的費用。
These changes are being released in stages across different regions. The US, UK, and Europe started on June 30, while Australia will follow on September 30, and Japan and Korea on December 31. The entire global rollout is expected to finish by September 30, 2027. Although these changes give developers slightly more money, Google still maintains a high level of control over the Android system.
這些變更將在不同地區分階段發布。美國、英國和歐洲於 6 月 30 日開始，澳洲將於 9 月 30 日跟進，而日本和韓國則在 12 月 31 日。預計全球全面推行將於 2027 年 9 月 30 日前完成。雖然這些變更讓開發者獲得略多一點的收益，但 Google 依然對 Android 系統保持高度控制。
Conclusion
Google is currently rolling out a new global system of lower, separated fees and more payment options to settle its legal dispute with Epic Games.
Google 目前正在全球推行一套更低且分開計算的費用系統，並提供更多付款選項，以解決與 Epic Games 的法律爭端。
Vocabulary Learning
🚀 The 'B2 Leap': Moving from Simple to Complex Connections
At the A2 level, you usually connect ideas with simple words like and, but, and because. To reach B2, you need to use Logical Connectors that show a sophisticated relationship between two ideas.
⚡ The Power of 'Although'
Look at this sentence from the text:
*"Although these changes give developers slightly more money, Google still maintains a high level of control..."
Why this is B2 level: Instead of saying "Google gives money, BUT they still have control," the writer uses Although. This creates a "concession." It tells the reader: "I acknowledge Fact A is true, but Fact B is actually more important."
How to use it:
Although + [Opposing Fact], [Main Point].
- A2 Style: I studied hard, but I failed the test.
- B2 Style: Although I studied hard, I failed the test.
🛠️ Expanding your Utility Kit: 'Furthermore' & 'Additionally'
In the article, Google doesn't just list things; they build a case using Additive Transitions:
- Furthermore: Used to add a point that is even more important or convincing than the last one.
- Additionally: Used to add extra information that is of equal importance.
The Logic Shift:
- A2: "Google changed fees. They also allow external links."
- B2: "Google changed fees. Furthermore, the agreement allows developers to use external payment links."
🎯 Quick Transformation Guide
| Stop using (A2) | Start using (B2) | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| And / Also | Furthermore / Additionally | Makes you sound professional |
| But | Although / Despite | Shows complex thinking |
| So | Consequently / Therefore | Shows a logical result |
Vocabulary Learning
Implementation of Revised Google Play Store Billing Structures Following Epic Games Settlement.
Epic Games 和解後 Google Play 商店修訂計費結構之實施
Introduction
Google has commenced the phased deployment of a modified fee architecture for the Play Store, resulting from a legal settlement with Epic Games regarding anticompetitive practices.
由於與 Epic Games 就反競爭行為達成法律和解，Google 已開始分階段部署 Play 商店的修改版費用架構。
Main Body
The transition represents a departure from the previous uniform 30 percent commission model. Under the new framework, Google has decoupled its revenue stream into distinct billing and service fees. For developers with annual earnings below $1 million, a flat 10 percent service fee is applicable. For higher-earning entities, transaction rates are tiered based on the installation date: 20 percent for post-June 30 installs and up to 25 percent for prior installations. A supplementary 5 percent billing fee is levied on transactions utilizing Google's internal platform, though this rate may vary by jurisdiction.
此次轉型代表對先前統一 30% 佣金模式的捨棄。在新框架下，Google 將其收入流拆分為獨立的計費費與服務費。對於年收入低於 100 萬美元的開發者，適用 10% 的固定服務費。對於高收入實體，交易率則根據安裝日期分級：6 月 30 日後安裝的為 20%，而先前安裝的最高為 25%。使用 Google 內部平台進行的交易將被徵收 5% 的附加計費費，儘管此費率可能因司法管轄區而異。
Furthermore, the settlement facilitates a degree of rapprochement between Google and third-party developers by permitting the use of external payment links. Developers may now implement choice screens, subject to Google's user experience guidelines, to redirect users to external billing systems, thereby bypassing the 5 percent billing fee while remaining liable for the service fee. To incentivize technical optimization, Google is introducing the 'Games Level Up' and 'Apps Experience' programs. These initiatives offer reduced transaction rates to developers who meet specific benchmarks regarding cross-platform functionality, memory efficiency, and security protocols.
此外，該和解協議允許使用外部付款連結，促進了 Google 與第三方開發者之間的關係緩和。開發者現在可以在符合 Google 用戶體驗指南的前提下，實施選擇頁面將用戶重新導向至外部計費系統，從而避開 5% 的計費費，但仍需支付服務費。為了激勵技術優化，Google 推出了「Games Level Up」與「Apps Experience」計劃。這些計劃為在跨平台功能、記憶體效率及安全性協定方面達到特定基準的開發者提供更低的交易率。
Temporal implementation is staggered by region. The United States, United Kingdom, and Europe initiated the transition on June 30. Australia is scheduled for September 30, followed by Japan and Korea on December 31. Global saturation of this model is projected for completion by September 30, 2027. While these adjustments provide marginal revenue increases for developers, the institutional control of the Android ecosystem remains largely intact, pending the future certification and integration of third-party app stores as mandated by the settlement.
實施時間按區域分階段進行。美國、英國與歐洲於 6 月 30 日開始轉型。澳洲定於 9 月 30 日，隨後是日本與韓國於 12 月 31 日。預計該模式將於 2027 年 9 月 30 日完成全球覆蓋。雖然這些調整為開發者帶來了微幅的收入增加，但 Android 生態系統的制度控制在很大程度上依然完整， pending 於和解協議所要求的第三方應用商店的未來認證與整合。
Conclusion
Google is currently executing a phased global rollout of reduced, decoupled developer fees and expanded payment options to resolve its litigation with Epic Games.
Google 目前正分階段在全球範圍內推出降低且拆分的開發者費用以及擴展的付款選項，以解決其與 Epic Games 的訴訟。
Vocabulary Learning
The Architecture of 'Corporate Euphemism' and Precision Nuance
To bridge the gap from B2 to C2, a student must move beyond simply understanding a text to deconstructing the strategic intent behind its lexical choices. This article is a masterclass in Institutional Formalism—a style where highly specific, Latinate vocabulary is used to soften the impact of aggressive corporate maneuvers.
🧩 The Pivot: From 'Change' to 'Decoupled'
At B2, you might say "Google changed its fees." At C2, we observe the use of "decoupled its revenue stream."
- Analysis: Decouple (to separate two things that were previously linked) is a precision verb. It doesn't just describe a change; it describes a structural reorganization. In a C2 context, using decoupled instead of separated signals an understanding of systems and professional jargon.
⚖️ The Sophistication of 'Rapprochement'
Observe the sentence: "the settlement facilitates a degree of rapprochement between Google and third-party developers."
- The C2 Edge: The author avoids saying "Google is now getting along with developers." Instead, they use rapprochement (a French loanword referring to an establishment of harmonious relations).
- Why this matters: C2 mastery requires the ability to employ 'high-register' loanwords to describe complex social or political dynamics with surgical precision. It transforms a simple business agreement into a diplomatic event.
🔍 The 'Passive-Institutional' Shield
Note the phrasing: "A supplementary 5 percent billing fee is levied..."
- Linguistic Maneuver: The use of levied (specifically for taxes or fines) combined with the passive voice removes the 'actor' (Google) from the immediate action of taking money.
- The Lesson: C2 writers use the passive voice not because they are 'wrong,' but to create an aura of inevitability and institutional authority.
🚀 Lexical Upgrades for the Ambitious Student
| B2 Expression | C2 Institutional Equivalent | Nuance Added |
|---|---|---|
| Started the change | Commenced the phased deployment | Suggests a planned, military-like precision. |
| Small increases | Marginal revenue increases | Quantifies the increase as insignificant/borderline. |
| Spreading everywhere | Global saturation | Implies a total filling of a market space. |
| Following the rules | Subject to guidelines | Establishes a conditional, hierarchical relationship. |