Jeff Bezos Picks Up On Bill Gates' Pay-To-Search Idea

from the must-be-something-in-the-Seattle-water dept

Earlier this month, we mentioned Bill Gates' random musings on how it might make sense to bribe pay users to search at MSN instead of the competition. However, it did seem like random speculation, rather than part of Microsoft's grand plan. However, Geekzone is reporting that Amazon's A9 search subsidiary is already experimenting with something similar -- giving discounts at Amazon for people who search on A9. It sounds like they've put up a lot of conditions to try to limit the "click fraud" (search fraud?) aspect from taking over. Also, to try to copy some geeky charm from Google, the percentage you save is 1.57%... ~pi divided by two... as in "sharing the pi(e)." Yes, feel free to gag now.
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  • identicon
    Format c: v:stupid /q, 27 Dec 2005 @ 2:02am

    American Pi!

    I wonder how much pi you are going to have to have stored up before they will allow you to use any of it.

    I do business with one vendor who, BTW, partners with Amazon when it comes to buying and selling. They have a discount system as well, but you have to have a minimum amount of points, have a minimum ticket value. Even if you have a $100 in credit, and you want to use it against something that is $10, you'll have to wait until you have $500 in credits to use.

    Of course, they are a wholesale agency, Amazon will hopefully do things a bit differently.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Yehuda Berlinger, 27 Dec 2005 @ 2:32am

    Old news

    The pi/2 discount has been around since A9 was first introduced.

    Yehuda

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    giafly, 27 Dec 2005 @ 5:24am

    Privacy Policy

    "By visiting A9.com, you are accepting the practices described in this Privacy Notice. PLEASE NOTE THAT A9.COM IS A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF AMAZON.COM, INC. IF YOU HAVE AN ACCOUNT ON AMAZON.COM AND AN AMAZON.COM COOKIE, INFORMATION GATHERED BY A9.COM, AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PRIVACY NOTICE, MAY BE CORRELATED WITH ANY PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION THAT AMAZON.COM HAS". - A9.COM
    1. Remember to delete your cookies after visiting Amazon!
    2. I just saved 10% today, by shopping locally on a "10% off" day, so I'm not very impressed by 1.6% in return for information about me. Also shopping locally helps keep my neighbours employed.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      EricBrian, 27 Dec 2005 @ 5:46am

      Re: Privacy Policy

      You said it. Thank you.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Andrew Strasser, 27 Dec 2005 @ 7:55am

        Re: Privacy Policy

        I.E. spyware...

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Steve, 27 Dec 2005 @ 8:23am

          Re: Privacy Policy

          Theres huge difference between spyware and tracking cookie.

          Cookies you can *easily* disable in your browser. Spyware is software installed on your computer that is silently transmitting information about your browsing habits to EVERY site you go to. One cookie can just report back about one website.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            wooof, 27 Dec 2005 @ 9:08am

            Re: Privacy Policy

            I don't get why people don't do what I did - sign up for an amazon associates account, and use that for purchases - I get 4 to 7 percent kicked back.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              Mike, 27 Dec 2005 @ 10:38am

              Re: Privacy Policy

              Because that's against Amazon Associate's TOS, and if you're the only one buying stuff from the associate account links, it's kind of obvious to them. Besides, the whole point of this is to get paid for searching, not get paid for money that was yours in the first place.

              link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              Nicholas, 27 Dec 2005 @ 2:44pm

              Re: Privacy Policy

              Yeah... I'm in a bunch of affilliate programs, and you could actually do some jail time for buying the way you just described...

              I don't know why people are so concerned that Amazon knows that you happen to buy Weird Al CDs and like S&M... They don't really give a shit other than they know better how to serve you.

              All of these people bitching about Amazon and Google collecting usage history really need to shut up. Google and Amazon are providing a service. Part of that service is the fact that they are able to learn your preferences and suggest things that you like. If it's really that troublesome, don't use the services.

              BTW... What are you affraid of anyway? You only need to fear big brother if you're doing somthing he doesn't like.

              link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Steve, 27 Dec 2005 @ 8:22am

      Re: Privacy Policy

      I totally agree with you on the "shopping locally" comment, but unfortunately in some cases that argument just doesn't fly.

      I buy a lot of DVDs. There are very few stores (local or national) that carry a wide selection of DVDs. Media Play used to have the largest selection (along with the highest prices, but great sales), and they are closing down. Circuit City and Best Buy are all I have left, and they don't hold a candle.

      If it wasn't for Amazon (or the Internet, for that matter), I'd never have access to at least half of my collection now. My next best bet is to hit used DVD stores and garage sales and hope I luck out.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      jason, 28 Dec 2005 @ 2:32pm

      Re: Privacy Policy

      local stores also generally have a 15% markup over amazon anyway, so a 10% savings (plus tax) doesn't help local stores gain any advantage. the only advantage a local store has would be the ability to get the item RIGHT NOW, rather than waiting for delivery. almost 100% of my tech purchases in the past few years have been online.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Stoned4Life, 27 Dec 2005 @ 9:38am

    This isn't new...

    The idea to offer prizes, discounts, or just cash for using a search engine has already been picked up by Blingo. If you haven't heard of it, it's pretty much google but you have an opportunity to win a prize every time you search. It's no scam, as the money by the search advertisements pretty much pays for everything.

    If you get friends to sign up under you, every time a friend wins, you win too. It's pretty cool, and prizes range from free movie tickets to $100+ visa gift cards. My referral link is here if you want to give it a shot. (Am I alowed to do that?) lol, without the referral, you can get there at Blingo.com =P

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Bryan, 27 Dec 2005 @ 4:53pm

    comment a9

    I've signed up for the a9 discount and always click to use it when buy somthing on amazon, however I dont think I get the discount. You must have to fiddle arround with it and score some hits on their website advertisers before it becomes effictive.

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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