Comments on: Microsoft sweetens pay-to-search deal

By: Ben, here, WA

Ben, here, WA — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:43:45 +0000

@ David

Arrogant much? because you aren’t important live is bad? wow that is a very very very arrogant and almost elitist to Apple levels. People like you are what is wrong with the internet.

By: John, New York

John, New York — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 06:04:34 +0000

I had been using Google for web search, but after Microsoft introduced cash back, I mostly use Live search now… I get the results I want (I did a few comparison on Google initially just to make sure I am getting good results. Live search results are basically the same and I find searching for local things like restaurants on Live search actually better), so it’s pretty good so far and I get some good savings – pretty useful program from Microsoft.

By: David, Malaysia

David, Malaysia — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:51:52 +0000

After reading this i decided to give Live a chance to see if all search engines are the same. I searched for my full asian chinese name in “” quotes but nothing comes up.
I tried the same with google and it actually returned 3 pages which has my name and even a picture of me in it.
So i’ll probably still stick with google.

By: Nate, Grand Rapids MI

Nate, Grand Rapids MI — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:19:42 +0000

Cashback is a smart move by Microsoft. Short-term it may not show much growth or actual weight against traditional searches. Looking forward however, Microsoft can prove that they have searchers that actually complete purchases and spend money, while growing their database about those users (what stores they shopped at, what they bought, what other items they were eying, etc.)

Google is using data as a weapon with searches, and now, Microsoft can as well. This may be a small loss for the search division in terms of monetary loss and arguable traction, but in a few quarters, Microsoft’s stronger and renewed relationships with advertisers will be stronger and better suited to challenge Google. Smart move Ballmer.