Microsoft launches cashback on online purchases

Customers will, says Microsoft, get ad-funded cash rebates when they find and go on to purchase a range of products, through a programme being called Microsoft Live Search cashback. Key partners on the sceme include eBay, Barnes & Noble.com, Overstock.com, Sears, Zappos.com, and WPP – effectively covering more than 10 million product offers from over 700 merchants, including 13 of the top 40 US retailers. Launching the initiative, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates said: “We believe search can offer much more value to consumers and advertisers than it does today, and we see Live Search cashback as an important opportunity to deliver additional value. “Our goal is to make Live Search the most rewarding commercial search destination on the web. Live Search cashback will help advertisers drive more online sales while giving consumers a new way to stretch their dollars.”