Google Checkout Says No To Ze Frank
Ze Frank decided to help monetize his vlog by letting readers buy digital rubber duckies and other things on his pages, but Google did not approve. The idea was viewers could pay $50 for large duckies, $10 for wittle duckies, and $5 for “jewels”, that would show a little message on mouseover (no link). Simple micropayments, way to support the show, but payments were through Google Checkout, and they got shot down. Google doesn’t want you using Checkout for donations.
On Friday’s show, he says:
In other news, Google Checkout has canceled “Gimme Some Candy“.
That’s right, no more duckies.
Google Checkout, that amazing platform that doesn’t support Canada, has determined it doesn’t support donation sites.
Recently strapped with YouTube, Google seems to have a problem with videoblogs that can actually generate revnue.
Way to move the internet forward, jackass.
I guess micro-duckie sponsorship is just gonna to have to use Paypal.
From Google Checkout’s policies:
You may only use the Service to process a Payment Transaction for a Product that is purchased from a Seller through a legitimate, bona fide sale of the Product. The Service may not be used to process a Payment Transaction, or otherwise transfer money between a Buyer and Seller, that is unrelated to a purchase of a Product.
At this time, Google Checkout is designed primarily for transactions involving tangible goods. However, you may also process transactions for intangible goods (such as digital or downloadable products), services, subscriptions, and donations (if your organization is 501c3 tax-exempt).
I’d say Google is in the wrong here. Ze can reasonable claim that micro-duckies are ad units, because, while they are user donations to support the show, they show actual advertising that companies can use (even if it isn’t the greatest ad format). That is a good/service, not a donation, and should have been allowed.
Bad Google Checkout, bad.
Links:
Sam Harrelson
ReveNews
Scoble
Ze Frank forums
Terry Heaton
UPDATE:
Google Says Yeah To Ze
Scoble reports via an email exchange from Dave Winer that Google has re-enabled Ze’s Checkout account and approved his ducky system. Great to hear! Someone’s listening at Google.
Plus, I got a link from Dave. I wonder if that’s the first time I scored a link from him. I’m willing to bet that if I set out to do it, I could get a link from ever single English tech blog in the Technorati 100. It couldn’t be too hard, since I’ve got a good portion of the list already. That’s not a bragging statement, more of a “If I wasted all my time on a single pointless crusade” type of statement.
Whatever. You can see the Google Checkout button on Gimme Some Candy.com.
I love Ze Frank. In a totally heterosexual way.
Comment by Jason Schramm | October 22, 2006
I think Ze is a real funny chap… though after a while, it tends to be more of the same.
Anyways, Why Dosen’t Google Checkout recognize Canada??
And Second, this is not democracy on the internet. I would last see Google limiting its services to specific targets. If Ze wants to use it for donations… he has the right to do so in my opinion.
Comment by Joseph | October 22, 2006
[…] Inside Google: “Ze Frank decided to help monetize his vlog by letting readers buy digital rubber duckies and other things on his pages, but Google did not approve.” […]
Pingback by Scripting News for 10/22/2006 « Scripting News Annex | October 22, 2006
Blowjobs and bong hits. Perhaps they don’t want to faciltate drug and sex transactions? Regardless, I love my little duckies. Go ze go!
Comment by Tim POst | October 22, 2006
[…] Inside Google: Google Checkout Says No To Ze Frank Google cancels his account because he’s accepting donations, or is it because he’s figured out how to make money on his videoblog, something Google might find hard after buying YouTube? […]
Pingback by Filter for 23/10 2006 - Felt | October 23, 2006
[…] Google fucks over Ze Frank. I think David not Goliath could win this one though. :Update before this is even published. Google backs down. […]
Pingback by Damien Mulley » Blog Archive » Fluffy links - October 23rd 2006 | October 23, 2006
[…] My aren’t they fickle? […]
Pingback by Google Says ‘No’ To Donations, Until They Say ‘Yes’ « Blast First | October 24, 2006
“Someone’s listening at Google.”
But apparently not that much. I just wish Google’s feedback system would be as good as it used to be.
Reporting bugs, potential vulnerabilities and requesting new features occasionally, I don’t feel like they’ve got any interest in hearing from you anymore.
From what I recall, their feedback system is actually even kind of broken, linking you to the wrong forms and such.
That said, I should check my mail to see if I finally got a response from Google…
Comment by Tim | October 26, 2006