Microsoft To Launch Cash-Back Search Engine

Bill Gates is set to officially unveil Microsoft Live Search Cashback, a new search engine model that will reward users with cash back ranging from 2 percent to 30 percent or more, at a conference in Redmond, Wash. today.

This is obviously Microsoft's next big attempt to take down the behemoths of Google and Yahoo search engines, which are currently the top two dogs in the search engine kennel.

The model behind Live Search Cashback is fairly simple. You use Live Search to search for and purchase products from participating retailers and Microsoft will reward the buyer with cash back on the purchases. Sixty days after the purchase is made the funds can be withdrawn into a bank account or PayPal, as long as the total exceeds $5.

Some of the participating current retailers include Barnes & Noble, Sears, Home Depot, J&R Electronics, Office Depot and more.

The model for Live Search Cashback likely comes from Microsoft's recent acquisition of Jellyfish, a similar type of cash back shopping Web site. A message posted message also refers to Jellyfish users transitioning their cash back accounts to Live Search.

If you would have asked me six months ago about my opinion on this matter, I would say it's wasted efforts by Microsoft, but today when gas and milk prices are astronomical, people will look anywhere to save a buck or two and a model like Microsoft's Live Search Cashback just might work.

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