Microsoft has tried almost everything to get more people to pick its search site over Google, without success. So maybe a little cash will do the trick.
That is the idea behind a new Microsoft program that will return money to online users who find and buy select products through its Live Search engine. It's an unusual move that illustrates the lengths to which the Redmond company is willing to go in its struggle to gain ground on the Internet search king.
Microsoft's "Live Search cashback" site, set to be unveiled Wednesday, promises to pay back a portion of the purchase price -- ranging from about 2 percent to more than 30 percent -- to people who use it to find designated products and buy them online from participating retailers.
The company has signed up a long list of merchants to participate in the program -- including the online sites of large retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Sears, Home Depot, J&R Electronics, Office Depot and others.
Bill Gates confirmed plans for the Live Search cashback program Wednesday morning, speaking to online advertisers at a Microsoft conference in Redmond. He called it an example of how Microsoft sees the search business changing in the coming years.
"I think years from now, you may look back and say, 'Wow, search started to get a fair bit more competitive, and we can look back to that announcement,' " Gates told the crowd. He added later: "We think what we've got is super-neat here, but we can see taking this in some new directions."
A list of frequently asked questions on the Microsoft site includes one that many potential users will no doubt ask: "Why are you paying me cashback?"
Answer: "We want to earn your loyalty and reward it with cashback savings for your everyday online shopping. We are 'The Search That Pays You Back'!"
"But what they may do is just go to that site when they're thinking about buying something, and use Google the rest of the time."(hehhehe)"But what they may do is just go to that site when they're thinking about buying something, and use Google the rest of the time."
[h]HOW IT WORKS[/h[
Users who sign up for accounts will be able to search for eligible products on the Live Search cashback site, or look for special icons next to search results through the main Live Search engine.
When users click through to a merchant's site and buy eligible products, a designated percentage of the purchase price -- ranging from about 2 percent to more than 30 percent -- will be deposited into their Live Search cashback accounts.
Refunds will accumulate in the account and be available via direct deposit to a bank or PayPal account, or by check. The Microsoft site lists conditions for payout, including a $5 minimum balance. It also references a 60-day waiting period after purchase to account for the possibility of returns.
Microsoft will charge merchants for the Live Search cashback advertisements only when a user makes a purchase.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/ … rch21.html
That is the idea behind a new Microsoft program that will return money to online users who find and buy select products through its Live Search engine. It's an unusual move that illustrates the lengths to which the Redmond company is willing to go in its struggle to gain ground on the Internet search king.
Microsoft's "Live Search cashback" site, set to be unveiled Wednesday, promises to pay back a portion of the purchase price -- ranging from about 2 percent to more than 30 percent -- to people who use it to find designated products and buy them online from participating retailers.
The company has signed up a long list of merchants to participate in the program -- including the online sites of large retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Sears, Home Depot, J&R Electronics, Office Depot and others.
Bill Gates confirmed plans for the Live Search cashback program Wednesday morning, speaking to online advertisers at a Microsoft conference in Redmond. He called it an example of how Microsoft sees the search business changing in the coming years.
"I think years from now, you may look back and say, 'Wow, search started to get a fair bit more competitive, and we can look back to that announcement,' " Gates told the crowd. He added later: "We think what we've got is super-neat here, but we can see taking this in some new directions."
A list of frequently asked questions on the Microsoft site includes one that many potential users will no doubt ask: "Why are you paying me cashback?"
Answer: "We want to earn your loyalty and reward it with cashback savings for your everyday online shopping. We are 'The Search That Pays You Back'!"
"But what they may do is just go to that site when they're thinking about buying something, and use Google the rest of the time."(hehhehe)"But what they may do is just go to that site when they're thinking about buying something, and use Google the rest of the time."
[h]HOW IT WORKS[/h[
Users who sign up for accounts will be able to search for eligible products on the Live Search cashback site, or look for special icons next to search results through the main Live Search engine.
When users click through to a merchant's site and buy eligible products, a designated percentage of the purchase price -- ranging from about 2 percent to more than 30 percent -- will be deposited into their Live Search cashback accounts.
Refunds will accumulate in the account and be available via direct deposit to a bank or PayPal account, or by check. The Microsoft site lists conditions for payout, including a $5 minimum balance. It also references a 60-day waiting period after purchase to account for the possibility of returns.
Microsoft will charge merchants for the Live Search cashback advertisements only when a user makes a purchase.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/ … rch21.html
