Microsoft says you search, we pay

Stan Beer
Thursday, 22 May 2008 06:03

Opinion and Analysis

Since all the advertising revenue that Microsoft gleans from Live Search Cashback is passed on to the consumer, Microsoft obviously doesn't make any money from it. However, consumers do have to register for the service, including their bank or PayPal account details, which indicates that for the moment Microsoft is more intent on growing traffic and its consumer database than anything else.

While it would be easy to be cynical and dismiss Live Search Cashback as just another desperate attempt by Microsoft to stem the irresistible tide flowing towards Google, the service is actually pretty damned good for certain products and it would be nice to see it expand in scope and extended to other parts of the world besides the US.

By the way, if you're in the market for any Microsoft products, this Live Search Cashback appears to be a good place to start - if you live in the US.