Google Preparing to Relaunch OnePass Publishing Service; Challenge Apple’s Ebooks

After a relatively slow uptake among publishers, Google are preparing a overhaul of their online content payment system OnePass to mark its first year in existence. The upgrades are not yet confirmed but they will be implemented over the next few weeks to help increase the uptake among publishers.

paidContent report that the changes in question are based on the feedback received from OnePass’ dozen or so trialist partners.  The move is timely after Apple recently revealed its intentions to enter the education market with the publication of its own ebooks. Currently the commission required to publish on Google is 10% in comparison to Apple’s 30%.

Google has been working closely with various publishers, both publicly and privately, to try and make the system more user friendly and meet the needs of publishers. The system will continue to include flexible content payment through Android apps and through the web with its 10% commission.

The service was originally revealed as a beta product back in February 2011. While publishers decide what price and terms they sell their content through, uptake of the service remained slow while it stayed a beta product. Now the relaunch aims to make OnePass an official service and boost publication numbers which will include a deal involving eight large French publications.

The industry in France is currently in turmoil due to crumbling distribution processes, slow digital reform and dependence on state aid so the relaunch of OnePass is of great interest for French publications.