Comments for Hitwise: Microsoft Cashback is Working

Hitwise: Microsoft Cashback is Working

2008-10-03T19:30:12Z

When Microsoft announced the launch of its Live Search Cashback rebate program, it quickly became the laughingstock of the tech blogosphere and this week's launch of Live SearchPerks definitely did not help. However, according to the latest data from Hitwise, Microsoft's Cashback promotion is actually working and is helping live.com to keep its search traffic stable, even as Google's market share is rising.

]]> Live Search Cashback works by giving users a certain amount of money back every time they search for an item on live.com and then buy it from a participating store.

In July, Live Search Cashback represented 3.75% of traffic to live.com, but by September 27, that number had grown to 6.29%. According to Hitwise, visitors to the Cashback site were more likely to be female (55% vs. 45%) and half were between 25 and 45 years old with an average income of under $100,000.

Sign of the Times?

As Hitwise also points out, part of this interest in the Cashback program might have to do with the current economic crisis in the U.S., where shoppers are more likely to start looking for bargains and cash back programs.

Comment from Randy Weber on 2008-10-13

2008-10-13T23:39:45Z

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.

Comment from Dan on 2008-10-06

2008-10-06T13:34:52Z

I think cash back a good way to save money when you shop online. Here's why:

1. First, you don't lose anything to use cash back program. You only need to register and shop through these cash back websites.
2. You can easily earn hundreds or even thousands of dollar a year from your online shopping.

Below is how much I have earned this year.

1) Microsoft Live Cash Back: $280 (buy a laptop and sprint smart phone at eBay through live cash back)
2) DealDigs Cash Back: $289.97 ( applied an Amexa Gold card $200, and bought three AT&T prepaid cell phone)
3. ebates: $10.09 (booked a vacation packaqe)

These are all free money, why not get it?

Comment from Dan on 2008-10-03

2008-10-03T21:49:18Z

What is being overlooked here is the 60 (+15) days of "incubation" for the cashback you earn through this program. That is you can cash-in only after 60(+15) days. So, what we're seeing might be just initial enthusiasm that will subside if (as some have reported) cashback starts to "disappear" from users accounts a few days before payday.

Comment from J-P Voilleque on 2008-10-03

2008-10-03T21:35:54Z

Whatever happened to iWon? I think it was CBS' entry into the portal fight, had giveaways and whatnot, hosted games, all the usual. I don't think many people thought it was all that great searchwise but I do know that my lotto-mad friends all used it at the time. Free money, dude.