23 May 2008
Microsoft’s most recent attempt to compete with Google in the Internet search market involves the software giant offering cash back to consumers who buy items they find through its search service.
The initiative will be called Live Search cashback. This will involve Microsoft joining forces with retail partners, such as eBay, Barnes & Noble.com and Sears, promising to offer customers “ad-funded cash rebates”.
The launch of the new service is part of a larger plan from Microsoft to attract more people to its Internet search service.
The services comes as part of the software group’s recent attempt to compete with Google by trying to acquire Yahoo!. Microsoft lags behind both groups in the Internet search space and has been trying to fight off Google’s dominance.
Although the service will be initially be launched in the United States, sources close to the company said that it would be introduced to countries such as Britain if it proves a success.
Microsoft said that the Live Search cashback portfolio will include more than 10 million products from more than 700 merchants, including at least 13 of the top 40 US-based retailers.
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