The move by Google could catapult the online advertising company’s revenue far past its $3.2 billion in revenue it earned last year, particularly if it includes processed charges for adult content sites.
Google, which declined to comment to XBiz on Monday regarding a possible electronic payment system, makes millions from adult and mainstream paid search results on Google.com.
Exact details of Google’s PayPal-like service aren't known, but one report said it would be rolled out by the end of the year.
Consumers like PayPal for the security it offers, since it allows them to share their credit- and debit-card numbers only with PayPal without having to divulge the information to merchants of products and services.
But PayPal in recent years cut off adult transactions through their terms of service agreements. Nevertheless, some online adult companies — particularly those in the amateur market — still use PayPal with the risk of having their accounts closed and funds seized.
The Mountain View, Calif.-based company two months ago filed to incorporate a California corporation called Google Payment Corp., although it isn't known whether that is linked to Google's payment-service plans.
Google currently accepts credit-card payments for some services, including advertisements and customized research. Its website said the company eventually will allow consumers to pay to view videos online.