Microsoft Will Offer Search Customers Cash

Rewards part of effort to gain ground on market leader Google
By Jim O'Neill,  Newser Staff
Posted May 21, 2008 10:46 AM CDT
Microsoft Will Offer Search Customers Cash
This set of flagpoles sits at one of the entrances to Microsoft Corporation in Redmond, Wash.   (AP Photo/Joe Brokert, File)

Having largely abandoned its bid to buy, in the form of Yahoo, a significant presence in the Internet search business, Microsoft now will give customers money back when they buy items through its Live.com search portal, the Wall Street Journal reports. To be made official today, the move makes clear Microsoft isn't giving up on its search ambitions.

Industry leader Google holds a significant edge on Microsoft, which is currently running third behind Yahoo, but looking to "Live Search cashback" to help close the gap. Customers using the service will need to create a free account and shop through the website; vendors include Home Depot, Barnes & Noble, Circuit City, and Oakley sunglasses. (More Microsoft stories.)

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