Google Plans To Offer Music Downloads

10.22.09 | FL News Team

Google is getting into the music selling business. Visitors to the world's most popular search engine will soon be able to stream music and then, with the click of a "buy" button, purchase songs they like from a variety of sites including Amazon and the iTunes Music Store. All of the major music labels have signed onto the project including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music and EMI. The labels hope making a search for music and purchases simpler will boost sales. The new and still unnamed Google service is scheduled for launch on October 28th.

The music industry is dealing with plunging sales along with fewer media outlets willing to play recordings by new acts. The industry hopes taking advantage of of Google's position as champion of all search engines along with other ventures will help boost sales. Universal Music and Sony Music have partnered with YouTube creating a new music video service dubbed Vevo. That service, which will help give new acts wider exposure, is expected to launch in December.