Microsoft Introduces Live Search Cashback Awards Program
Calling it "The Search That Pays You Back", Microsoft later this morning is introducing a new cashback awards feature on its Live Search web site.
Users must enroll and agree to terms and conditions. Once enrolled, search results will indicate merchants participating in the cashback program via a small coin icon. If the user completes a purchase by clicking through the search results to the participating merchant, they can earn a cashback reward.
Microsoft says that the cashback rewards savings will be paid via either a deposit to the user's PayPal account, direct deposit to user's bank account, or a check in the mail. An FAQ is available with more details. Interestingly, the FAQ notes that Microsoft "can't guarantee that your purchase will be reported to us correctly if you use an alternative payment method."
After 1030 AM PDT this morning, advertisers/merchants can sign up here to participate in cashback.
Robert Guth covers the story for the Wall St. Journal. SearchEngineWatch.com covers the story in more detail. Mike Arrington reports for TechCrunch saying "Microsoft’s hope is to lure advertisers with a promise to pay only if a purchase is made, unlike Google’s pay-per-click model that carries more risk because a searcher may not complete a transaction." In a post titled "Microsoft's "Cash Back" Google Search Killer: Great Idea, Won't Work", Henry Blodget writes on the SIlicon Alley Insider blog about why Microsoft's cashback awards won't be as disruptive as some might expect.
Add your comment... (note that all comments are reviewed before they're published)