Search Engines Rewards Programs

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Search Engines Rewards Programs

February 23, 2006 | In search engines |

WSJ article about companies that are challenging Google.

Internet companies, locked in a fierce battle to get more people to use their search engines, are dangling rewards and cash prizes to attract customers to their sites.

The incentives vary from shot-in-the-dark sweepstakes for luxury-hotel stays and pricey plasma TVs to loyalty programs that offer guaranteed rewards and payouts to those who qualify, similar to those found in the airline and credit-card industries. While the odds of winning big may be slim, the hope is that some regular incentives may persuade some consumers to stop using Google as a starting point for every Internet search.

WEB SITE	HOW IT WORKS	COMMENT
Msnsearchandwin.com	Users who search for randomly selected keywords can win prizes ranging from a plasma TV to a gift certificate.	The list of some 1,000 potential prize-winning terms rotates regularly.
Blingo.com	The site awards roughly 50 prizes a day to those who conduct a search closest to randomly selected times.	Users who refer a friend to the site are entered in a prize-sharing program that rewards them with any prize their friend happens to win.
A9.com	After registering and a few days of regular use, A9 searchers are eligible for a 1.57% discount on most Amazon purchases.	Participants must be logged into their account to earn the discount, which cannot be applied to gift card purchases.
GoodSearch.com	The user selects a charity or school that will be awarded roughly a penny for each search he conducts.	Users can request to have any legitimate charity or school entered in the system.