Friday, October 3rd, 2008 by Andy Beal

23

OMG! Live Search Cashback is Actually Effective!

As you know, I’m quick on the trigger when it comes to giving Microsoft’s search incentive programs a hard time. Well, I try to be fair and balanced. With that in mind (gulp), Live Search Cashback might actually be working!

You heard me. New data from Hitwise suggests that Microsoft’s master plan is showing signs of success.

Eleven weeks ago, MSN Cashback represented 3.75% of the traffic to Live.com and grew to 6.29% last week. This rise in Cashback’s traffic underscores the interest in the program, which is likely to be getting a boost from shoppers looking to save money and stretch their budgets given the current economic climate.

And, while Live Search is not showing any increased market share, it’s audience share is stable–suggesting that perhaps Live Search Cashback is helping!

I’m still not convinced that bribery is solid plan to take on Google, but I’m ready to eat humble pie if Microsoft sees continued success. :-)


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23 comments on “OMG! Live Search Cashback is Actually Effective!”

  1. Joe Hall Says:

    October 3rd, 2008 at 1:31 pm

    “continued success” is the key here. Any program that gives away free goodies is going to be popular in the beginning. The true test is if it will continue, and if that new found traffic will convert. I am willing to bet that anyone that is willing to be bribed to try a product isn’t the type of person that you can easily extract value from.

    I am also willing to bet that the same folks that are taking advantage of these incentives are also using Google and other MS competitors more so.

    Joe Hall’s last blog post..Links are making people go crazy!

  2. Zurpit Says:

    October 3rd, 2008 at 1:52 pm

    Its great to see that Microsoft is getting more traffic but how long will this success last?

  3. PS3 Says:

    October 3rd, 2008 at 2:16 pm

    They are not exactly what I would call huge bribes. Certainly not enough to sway it for me, good search results is what matters at that level.

  4. Adi Says:

    October 3rd, 2008 at 2:51 pm

    Very early days for this iniative. It’s far from uncommon for new schemes to provide a bounce in traffic. The key will be whether these gains can be sustained over any length of time.

  5. SoLinkable Says:

    October 3rd, 2008 at 3:07 pm

    I dont think this really proves that cashback is working, only that those who already use Live are converting to cashback… which isn’t really saying much at all. If I already used them, and now they are offering me a chance to sign up for a program in which I would get money to use them… I think I would sign up.

    SoLinkable’s last blog post..Citizen a4Journalista4 Hits Apple Stock With False (Steve Jobs) Heart Attack Rumor

  6. Nick Stamoulis Says:

    October 3rd, 2008 at 3:37 pm

    I actually haven’t heard of this initiative until now. People really embrace these kind of reward incentives for obvious reasons… that’s why sites like UPromise are doing great. Good to hear it may be working!

  7. Utah SEO Pro Says:

    October 3rd, 2008 at 4:03 pm

    Proof that Money talks.

    Utah SEO Pro’s last blog post..Social Media Expert Quiz

  8. SEO next Says:

    October 3rd, 2008 at 5:45 pm

    We should not forget that MS still have HUGE capital as compared to google…

  9. Browsers News Says:

    October 4th, 2008 at 5:14 am

    Incentivized…

    Browsers News’s last blog post..(Pic) Typical Web Browser Users

  10. Nicole Price Says:

    October 4th, 2008 at 6:31 am

    I agree that there has been some encouraging movement but I also believe that the timing for the launch could not have been worse. We need to give more time to see how or whether the momentum builds up. I think that it should.

    Nicole Price’s last blog post..Hypermiling

  11. Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer talks about search in the Cloud (Weekend Wrap-up Oct 5 2008) | Wiadomości seo Says:

    October 5th, 2008 at 9:54 am

    [...] OMG! Live Search Cashback is Actually Effective! [...]

  12. Jacques Snyman Says:

    October 5th, 2008 at 11:55 am

    n almost 100% growth in traffic in eleven weeks is impressive indeed!

  13. April Michele Says:

    October 5th, 2008 at 8:35 pm

    Money has always and will always talk. I’m impressed. Especially considering the shaky economy, yeah, I’m impressed.

    April Michele’s last blog post..Fall Festival

  14. Search Engine News » OMG! Live Search Cashback is Actually Effective! Says:

    October 6th, 2008 at 4:58 am

    [...] More from http://www.marketingpilgrim.com…; [...]

  15. zncustombuilding Says:

    October 6th, 2008 at 5:06 am

    well microsoft having gud traffic is something that makes news because a large number of people i know visit microsoft’s websites only when they need some updates……….

  16. QuickPWN Says:

    October 6th, 2008 at 12:26 pm

    I’ve found that Microsoft’s search engine isn’t as accurate as Google and I don’t really like the way their algorithm works. It takes them days to even find my website and update my serps. I only use Live Search for the cashbacks, and then go back to Google!

    QuickPWN’s last blog post..Install Flash Player iPhone App

  17. Thoughts From The Cake Scraps » Blog Archive » Please Keep Searching: What Microsoft Is Missing Says:

    October 6th, 2008 at 2:24 pm

    [...] is running may be increasing Live Search’s use.  Extra information can be found here and here but I still stand by my post that these are short term gains and use will fall off if/when these [...]

  18. kouji Says:

    October 6th, 2008 at 3:32 pm

    well, if it works, and it’s good for consumers, then most people win.

    kouji’s last blog post..haiku poem: nature (bird)

  19. Goran Web Design Says:

    October 7th, 2008 at 4:42 am

    I guess this was a great idea after all. The cashback incentive is paying off.

  20. iPod Fan Says:

    October 8th, 2008 at 6:41 am

    If you look closely at the point system it is impossible to claim the top prize even if you carry out the maximum number of szearches every day of the competition. This is bogus to me…

    John

    iPod Fan’s last blog post..Earth4Energy

  21. Check Page Rank Says:

    October 11th, 2008 at 8:12 am

    They want to share their green notes, why do we need to complain? lol..

  22. Randy Weber Says:

    October 13th, 2008 at 7:36 pm

    MSN’s success is great news for incentive programs like MyPoints.com and others. Given the hard economic times, incentive programs give the average consumer a way to save a few extra bucks when they shop, play games and fill out surveys. For the last two years, MyPoints has provided a toolbar that gives members points for searching the internet. The MyPoints toolbar installs right on your browser and provides results from Google, Yahoo, MSN Live Search, and Ask so our member is sure to get great results, making it easy to earn points.

    Members are awarded points that they then can redeem for gift certificates or gift cards from over 70 merchants.

    In the interest of full disclosure, I’m a MyPoints.com employee and toolbar user but I’m pulling for MSN with the hope that our industry will get a little more publicity.

  23. cashback Says:

    October 20th, 2008 at 8:29 pm

    It’s a good idea shame they don’t do it for the UK. But if you search your find cashback sites.