• January 18, 2008

Google Checkout isn't just for Web merchants anymore. With the Web becoming a key way for political campaigns to raise money, candidates can now use the payment service to collect contributions online.

The new feature allows candidates (registered with the Federal Election Commission) to embed Checkout buttons on their Web sites, blogs and social networking profiles to begin taking donations. The feature also lets candidates capture contributor occupation and employer information, and includes a policy message within the process.

Google charges 2% of donations plus a 20 cent transaction fee. Other services such as PayPal and ActBlue are already used for making political donations online.

-- Mark Walsh