SUMMARY
User can only recharge prepaid mobile connections only
Google Search redirects users to Paytm, Freecharge, Google Pay, and Mobikwik
Google has rolled out this new feature only for Android
In a bid to make mobile recharges simpler and faster, Google India, on Tuesday (February 4), launched a prepaid mobile recharge feature on Google search.
A user can use this feature by simply typing ‘prepaid mobile recharge’ in the Google search bar. In return to the search query, Google will either automatically select the mobile number and network carrier or a user needs to fill in details in a short online form.
After confirming the number and carrier details, a user can move ahead to compare recharge plans. Once a user selects the recharge amount, it is given with the option to select a third-party online platform from where it wishes to complete the transaction.
As of now, Paytm, Freecharge, Google Pay, and Mobikwik are available on the platform. A user can also compare discounts and offers provided by these platforms before Google redirects the user to their mobile applications.
Once the transaction is completed, users can get redirected to Google Search by using the ‘back to Google’ button where all the relevant customer support information is provided to them.
Currently, users can only top-up their prepaid mobile accounts if they are on Airtel, Vodafone-Idea, Jio and BSNL. Moreover, Google has rolled out this new feature only for Android users until now.
Google estimates that there are approximately 1.1 Bn cellular connections and 95% of these connections are prepaid SIM cards. “Prepaid cellular subscribers use a variety of ways to recharge their mobile phone. Today, we make it easier for people in India to recharge prepaid SIMs with a new Google Search experience,” Google said in a blog.
While Google Search supports multiple languages on the platform, it has limited the usage of recharge feature to English only.
The US-based tech giant further added that it is inviting any mobile payment provider interested in integrating their service. For the integration, a mobile recharge aggregator has to submit a form to Google which will be reviewed by the company before it starts to receive mobile recharge requests from Google Search. “To be eligible for Mobile Recharge, you must be a service provider or a mobile recharge plans aggregator in India that providers offer on mobile phone plans,” Google said.
