Google's Requirements for Linkout-Enabled Regions

Last updated: 4 March 2026

Disclaimer: This is a high-level summary of publicly available materials as of the date of writing. Google & Apple may modify the program rules or requirements from time to time. This summary is provided by us for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and does not replace or override Google’s or Apple's official policies or program documentation. Developers should rely on Google’s and Apple's official materials as the controlling source of information.

Region/Program	Eligible apps	What’s allowed	Google's Fees on external purchases	Notes and references
United States 🇺🇸 External Content Links Program (ECLP)	All apps and games on Google Play serving users in the US (mobile and tablet)	Developers can link users to an external website for in-app digital purchases or app downloads. External purchase links can be offered alongside or instead of Google Play Billing.	0%	Enrolling in the external content links program for users in the US 4 March 2026 Update: New settlement has been reached. More details expected in the coming months which might include changes in fees.
Japan 🇯🇵 External Payments Program	All apps distributed on Google Play in Japan (games and non-games), via program enrollment	App-to-web purchases via new Google Play link-out program In-app display of prices and promotions for web purchases Google Play Billing and external options may coexist	Up to 20% 10% for all auto-renewing subscriptions, 10% for transactions within the first $1M (USD) of total developer earnings annually for eligible developers, and 20% for all other purchases of in-app digital content. For purchases made within 24 hours of following an external payment link.	Complying with Japan’s Mobile Software Competition Act Enrolling in the external payments program
EU/EEA 🇪🇺 External Offers Program	All Apps in the EEA that want to promote offers in‑app and send users outside the app (browser, other store, webview) for purchases/subscriptions	You can show in‑app promotional units and hyperlinks (‘linkouts’) that take users to your site or other destinations to purchase digital items or subscriptions	Up to 23% Including: 3% Initial Acquisition Fee on conversions within 6 months from app installation; 0% thereafter +10% Tier 1 Ongoing Service Fee (Required) +10% Tier 2 Ongoing Service Fee (Optional) - This tier offers advanced discovery, promotional, and re-engagement tools on Play Store	Enrolling in the external offers program Changes to the external offers program for users in the EEA
For in-app payment, not linkout EU/EEA 🇪🇺 Alternative billing program	Apps targeting users in the EEA that want to remove Google Play Billing entirely and use only their own billing in‑app	You complete in‑app transactions through your own (or third‑party) billing system only You are not allowed to offer Google Play Billing as an option in the same app	Standard Google Play Billing fee minus 3% (e.g. 12% instead of 15%, 27% instead of 30%)	EEA alternative‑billing program
For in-app payment, not linkout Australia 🇦🇺 Brazil 🇧🇷 Indonesia 🇮🇩 Japan 🇯🇵 South Africa 🇿🇦 United Kingdom United States 🇺🇸 EU/EEA 🇪🇺 User Choice Billing (UCB)	Non-game apps in Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, South Africa, United Kingdom, and United States All apps in EEA, South Korea, India	Apps can offer users a choice between Google Play Billing and an alternative in-app billing method	If using Google Play Billing: 15% for the first $1M/year in revenue; 30% above $1M/year If using external billing system: Standard Google Play service fee minus 4% (e.g. 11% instead of 15%, 26% instead of 30%)	User choice billing on Google Play