Microsoft Expands Program To Bribe Users Into Using Its Search
from the when-in-doubt,-bribe-users dept
A few years ago, Bill Gates had indicated that if all else failed in winning over users from Google, Microsoft was prepared to resort to bribing users to use its search engine, rather than the competitors'. Back in May, this plan kicked off for certain product searches, where actual buyers would end up getting cash back. But, that's rather limited to a very specific type of search and very limited results. So, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that Microsoft has now opened up a new program, called SearchPerks, which is an attempt to bribe users to use Microsoft's regular search. Of course, the incentive isn't very strong. It only works in Internet Explorer, and you get a tiny number of "points" each time you search, and you need a lot of points to redeem prizes. It's kind of like those silly carnival games, where the amount of effort you need to actually win enough tickets to get anything makes the whole prospect of participating worthless. Unless, of course, you figure out how to game the system, as many users did on Microsoft's earlier attempt. Still, it's rather telling that Microsoft is still resorting to trying to bribe users to use its search engine. Where are all those people who insisted that Microsoft could beat any competitor at will because it was so big, and all it needed to do was copy them? That doesn't seem to be happening in search.
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Lmao
Go to MSN.com and tell me what you see... now go to Google... it seems to me that Google understands that they are first and foremost a search engine. MSN is more of a portal.
Also, Google understands that they shouldn't piss off their users and they understand the concept of having fans and playing their cards on the side of the mainstream, new age computer user. Until Microsoft shuts up about pirating and persecutes those users (who happen to be the majority these days), people will never see Micro as their kind of company... I believe that's one of Google's biggest advantages; they've got the fans on their side.
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Re: Lmao
And msn.com IS a portal.
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Ok, I went to live.com and google.com
google.com ahhh.
Even at live.com, microsoft cannot resist the urge to be cute. The sudden flash of squares and sparkles; am I suppose to enjoy the visual distractions? I don't, I find them irritating.
So again, your comparison helps drive the point that Microsoft still does not understand "search".
Microsoft understands granny-blanket, mommy-knows-best, do-what-I-say, My-way_or_no-way sort of attitude. Microsoft is like getting on the Interstate Highway in the USA without exits. Where do you want to go? If it is on our way we will take you there, no you cannot drive, sit and accept your destination.
Microsoft has forgotten that their Interstate is only valuable if you can do your own driving and choose your own path.
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How lame is that ?
that is so lame.
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MSN Search
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Lets face it...
Now, they actively ignore the bulk of their users in favor of the vocal few, and shove garbage like the Ribbon paradigm in Word (users kept asking for features already in Word!) and "limited rights" in Vista (It's too insecure! We need to make it so that even the administrator doesn't have administrator rights!)
Now smaller, lighter, cheaper, less powerful netbooks are coming out running Linux and giving people what they need, basic e-mail, browser, and word processing. No massively bloated OS requiring 4gig and a half-gig video card. Microsoft jumped the shark with Office 2007, and it's time for Potsie to sing his song...
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Always google
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I'm a PC too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQmx6lC_oZE
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Re: I'm a PC too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHK1xiuO740
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results over polish
If you want people to use your product make it better than the others.
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Be the first not catchup
Now though there are lots of other who can do what they do well so they will have to get thinking as coming second all the time will cost them.
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More Information Than You Require
Did you know John Hodgman is coming out with a new book on the 21st? It's called "More Information Than You Require", a follow up to the legacy "The Areas of My Expertise". Now, Hodgman has set the bar high-- the chapter "The Secrets of the Mall of America" in his first book was insanely funny, and something I pirated around to at least 20 Microsoft Employees, and they told me they would go out and buy the book, which I am sure they did.
Personally, I bought and gave away at least 10 print copies myself, so don't be a pirate this time! On the 21st, take a long lunch. Pick up the phone and call 3600. Tell them your need to get RTC 4 or something. When they drop you off, there's a bookstore called "Borders" a block away. You'll need to run, as the goal is to rip the book from someone more senior than you. If you are successful, you win 3 internets.
Can Hodgman continue with his unique style of humor? Only time will tell!
Can PC => Mac? No idea! Only you can tell. Who will be to the bookstore first? Is it YOU?
http://www.areasofmyexpertise.com/
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Microsoft has search?
I think the "live" branding is part of their problem - it doesn't stand out or say "search"
Google is a word that at least stands out.
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Search...
"Search that sucks so bad we have to pay you to use it."
Rather than bite at the rather meager reward for a search engine that forces the use of a non-standard virus-magnet browser, I'd settle for one that just gets me the results I'm looking for most of the time.
...like Google.
BTW, I suspect that since you have to download a "tracking app", you will be penalized for using any other search engine.
Note to M$: Call me, and I will explain to you exactly where you can stick that, and how far.
--
www.chl-tx.com Without the 2nd Amendment, the rest of the document is just wishful thinking.
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http://searchdns.netcraft.com/?position=limited&host=live.com
http://uptime.netcraft .com/up/graph/?host=www.live.com
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Ha!
It's also not listed anywhere in this article directly. Could be part of the problem. I have heard of "Windows Live", but never bothered to look into it.
The funniest part of this? I opened up a new tab, which defaults to google, and searched for "microsoft live search" just to FIND their search engine.
How's that for market share?
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Re: Ha!
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Re: Re: Ha!
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Blown out of proportion
What MS is doing is trying to create more activity on it's site so that habit can form. Google has become a verb, thats tough to crack and this is one method for MS to try and break in.
I am not switching off of google, but I am certainly not upset if MS wants to pay me to search on live. I don't think it will work, but I don't think this is indicative of MS losing their minds or focus. I don't think they will win this battle with google, but overall they are still doing many things right.
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Two prime examples:
Upon acquiring SysInternals they changed all of the in-program default search engines from Google (or a user default) to the horrid and all but useless msn-search - where you end up taking your query to Google anyways (especially if you are running a local redirection to send the queries to Google automatically).
- Upon signing out of Hotmail you not returned to the Hotmail login page but to the eyesore that is msn.com.
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Why do they even bother?
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gaming the system
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My sole experience with MSN search...
IMO, Microsoft has passed beyond the point where they cannot compete to the point where they cannot even doing anything well.
Here's the story of my experience with MSN search and IE 7.
http://conceptjunkie.blogspot.com/2008/04/microsoft-needs-to-die.html
I agree with the poster above: you couldn't pay me to use MSN search. I totally love the idea that people are gaming the system to win free swag from Microsoft.
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