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May 21, 2008 10:20 AM PDT

Will cash back boost Microsoft's search?

by Ina Fried
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REDMOND, Wash.--Microsoft's Live Search cash back program may be a new business model for Microsoft, but the underlying economics have actually been used outside the company for some time.

Bargain hunter sites, such as FatWallet, also offer cash back programs using much the same model that Microsoft is employing with its program.

In both cases, the referring sites get a certain percentage of the sale and give part or all of that money back to consumers.

Sites like FatWallet tend to appeal toward hard-core bargain hunters. One of the questions that looms over Live Search cash back is whether such programs have broader appeal.

Microsoft is playing up the change in economics for advertisers, who are able to pay just based on the actual sales that their advertising yields, as opposed to paying for everyone that comes to their site or views an ad.

As expected, the software maker announced more details of the program on Wednesday, ahead of a speech by Chairman Bill Gates. Initial partners for the program include eBay, Barnes & Noble, Circuit City, and Zappos.com, among others.

Microsoft said it will give its entire cut back to consumers, benefiting from the added search traffic as well as the user data customers are required to give in order to take part in the program.

The company also announced a Live Search-branded version of Farecast, the travel cost prediction service that it acquired last month.

During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina.
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by totocalimero May 21, 2008 10:40 AM PDT
Microsoft is to the computer industry what Ford and GM are to the auto industry. Old, big, unappealing. So, where do I get my 0% financing and cash back to use Windows?
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by Chameleon81 May 21, 2008 11:29 AM PDT
usually i use search engine ( google ) to search information not products. And I tried several times live and yahoo they didnt work for me very well.
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by Kev Orng May 21, 2008 11:39 AM PDT
Why does this concept make me think of a creepy old guy handing out candies?

or, maybe, escort services. Paying out might get you some action, but it won't get you any respect.
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by GeoBear2 May 21, 2008 12:37 PM PDT
Well, bribery has worked for Microsoft in the past. However, rampant corruption, combined with Bill Gates' grademark arrogance and greed and bizarre stunts like Vista have nearly ruined Microsoft's reputation (which never was sterling to begin with).

I wish Bill Gates the best of luck - NOT.

David Blomstrom
www.viva-chavez.com/Topics/Chavez_vs_Gates/
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by BrianDuper May 21, 2008 2:29 PM PDT
There is already a site that compares Microsoft Live Search Cashback Product Prices to the other popular comparison sites .. amazing how fast the web adapts:

http://www.startjoint.com/shopcompare.aspx
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During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft.


Beyond Binary is a look at how technology is changing our lives and the people behind all that life-changing stuff, with an extra emphasis on that which emanates from Redmond, Wash.

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