Google now asks you to enter your credit card as part of the Gmail signup flow

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8 points·mirceagoia··6 comments

This looks like an A/B test, I just talked on FB with Robert Cezar Matei. He got this when trying to open a Gmail account (not GWallet), but when I tried I didn't so, like I said, maybe an A/B test.

You can also click the "not now" to opt out, in the test. When I first read this, I read it as Google requiring you to enter CC info to get an account.. not the case.

I wonder when it will be "Right Now" (tied also to Google's policy of "real names" on G+ maybe).

The Not Now button is definitely presented as a secondary action, though, which I think could definitely confuse people into thinking credit card information is required, or that something will be missing if they don't enter their information.

In any case, it seems like a great way to end up with a bunch of users who aren't really aware of or interested in your product, and who signed up merely because you told them to.

In any case, it seems like a great way to end up with a bunch of users who aren't really aware of or interested in your product, and who signed up merely because you told them to.

Eh, I really don't believe anyone would enter their info because the Not Now button isn't clear enough. I do think they'll get a lot of people backing out and deciding not to go through with making an account for that reason though, and if the A/B testing reveals anything it will be that.

Yea, there might also be more to this a/b test - they might be targeting users who are somehow prequalified for wallet (not sure how). If they're asking completely random users to enter their cc that would be very surprising.

It's also interesting to note that the primary goal here is cross promoting wallet (vs verifying the users identity).

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