Amazon expands program that pays Alexa developers for top-performing voice apps

Amazon today announced a new program that gives developers a way to earn money for their Alexa skills – the voice apps that run on smart speakers like the Echo, and other Alexa-powered devices. According to the company, developers will be compensated for top-performing and "engaging" voice apps across over a half-dozen categories, including games, which were previously being compensated through a similar program. This program had first begun in May, when Amazon quietly introduced direct cash payouts to Alexa developers with popular games. Now, Amazon will begin to reward voice apps in other categories, including Education & Reference, Food & Drink, Health & Fitness, Lifestyle, Music & Audio, and Productivity, it says. The idea here is to offer developers a means of making money from their Alexa skills ahead of any formal monetization program.