Google extend free Checkout promotion

Google have announced that Checkout payments will be processed free of charge until the end of 2007. This is fantastic news for merchants with their own websites, effectively increasing their income by 2%.

Not so nice for eBay sellers, of course, who are prohibited from offering Google Checkout. This can only make it more tempting for eBayers to try to push their buyers to Checkout 'behind the scenes': not only will that damage Paypal's profits, it will damage buyer confidence. We all know that the majority of eBay buyers like the integration of Paypal with the site, and the security that Paypal offers them. With a strong incentive from Google now for sellers to try to undermine that, eBay should really wake up and try to do something that will benefit all parties, and allow Checkout on to the site.