Microsoft's Live Search attention-seeking ploys may be paying off. According to Hitwise statistics, Microsoft has gained traction in the search market with its Cashback program, in which users who comparatively shop for and eventually buy items through Live Search receive monetary incentives. Microsoft also unveiled another offensive in the face of Google's search empire to the tune of SearchPerks!, an overly cheery program that gives users coupons that can be traded for prizes, such as MP3 downloads, T-shirts, and airline miles. SearchPerks! requires Internet Explorer to function, boosting another Microsoft effort.
The data shows that while Microsoft may not have a chance against Google's 71.2 percent dominance of the market, the company does appear to be chipping away at Yahoo!'s foothold. Live Search went from 3.8 percent in mid-July to 6 percent in mid-September. Yahoo! slid from 18.7 percent to 11 percent during the same time span.
Hitwise Research Director Heather Dougherty attributes the rise of this service, which not only saves money but offers monetary reward for its use, to our miserable economic situation. Some blogs consider Microsoft's latest efforts pathetic. Salon.com calls it "really lame" and claims Microsoft "doesn't matter anymore." Ars Technica says the service "has potential" but that Microsoft messed up the execution process.
Whether Microsoft's reputation will be damaged by a service for penny-pinchers, a last-ditch attempt at recognition, or a valuable tool with good intentions, the numbers are clear: Microsoft is gaining traction and, in the process, putting its name out there. In order to stand a chance in the cutthroat search engine game, this is an effective and successful method to garner recognition.
