Comments on: Cashback is not the Answer

By: ComparisonEngines » Blog Archive Microsoft’s Ecommerce Efforts «

ComparisonEngines » Blog Archive Microsoft’s Ecommerce Efforts « — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:12:47 +0000

[...] August 28, 2009 Bing Cashback – Why Merchants Should Submit their Feed Today – June 5, 2009 Cashback is not the Answer – May 21, 2008 Jellyfish’s Day in the Sun – May 21, 2008 Microsoft Acquires [...]

By: Trevor

Trevor — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:26:04 +0000

I know this is an old post, but I couldn’t help but comment that Live Search Cashback is a lot like the Mojave project in one way: Microsoft just wants you to actually USE their product before judging it.

As the Mojave Project demonstrated (and MSFT has been mocked a lot for this) if people actually approach Vista without preconceived notions they quite like it. The MSN search engine gets dissed an awful lot in the blogosphere and among internet power users, but I submit that it provides a very adequate user experience for average users. How’s that for devil’s advocate?

By: swoda

swoda — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:18:05 +0000

Nice post Brian. I agree with you 100%. I like cash back. Everyone likes cash back. Of course. Given the choice between cash back and no cash back, we would all take cash back.

That really isn’t the point though as you point out. MSFT needs a better search engine and experience. In my humble opinion, this is a defensive strategy for MSFT. If you can’t beat Google head to head, you might as well destroy the business economics of search. If you are successful, then Google won’t have the same ability to erode MSFT’s core franchise(s). In my opinion, MSFT’s cash back initiative is essentially the flip side of Google’s distribution of OpenOffice.

Keep up the good work!

Steve

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 22 May 2008 22:00:25 +0000

Is cashbaq an affiliate site..or is direct sign-up available like jellyfish/MCBL?

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:29:20 +0000

Brian.. I agree with your summation that CPA is a paper tiger. Anyone that submits to Shopping.com CPA and others can verify that.
Yes we were on jellyfish from day one!(even before!)
I watch those wires like a hawk..
Just waiting for the flood of orders from Search cashback.. Will keep you posted..
Where can I find out more about the new product that google is working on..My friends at a major etailer hinted this to me..they are a beta partner in the analytics thing and Gproduct search.
btw.. your right on that point as well. google product search is now strong enough to survive on a CPA basis. G-d help us all if they start charging per click..
Keep up the great work.. your look on the industry is always very to the point and razor sharp!

By: blogation

blogation — Thu, 22 May 2008 06:22:43 +0000

Brian, I disagree. I think cashback is a legitimate alternative to the current status quo in CSEs.

That being said, I agree that Google will no doubt blow this away.

And finally, stay tuned for a blog post from me on Search Marketing Standard later this week or early next week that discusses the five companies that could make or break the CSEs: Google, MSN Live Search, TheFind, ZTail, and . . . SingleFeed!