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May 22, 2008 -- Microsoft pays you to use their search engine!

Microsoft has long trailed Google in the search market, which explains why they've been trying to buy Yahoo. By the numbers, Microsoft controls about 9% of the market, Yahoo controls around 20% and Google has 55%-60%.

In order to gain more market share, Microsoft will actually pay you to use them for search! Customers who make an online purchase after using their search engine become eligible for a cash back rebate from Microsoft. Clark has no idea how well this idea will pan out.

In related news, Google offers its own suite of free office software. Those same programs are also available in a free web-based version as well. Clark likes to see what Google has available from time to time on their site.

Finally, did you know that Microsoft Office is available outside the United States in select countries for only $3?! That's a huge difference from the $150-$500 we pay!


Unfortunately, Clark won't be able to answer any questions submitted via commenting. If you have a question, please try posting it to our message boards.

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What others are saying

  • free office software
    when i click on the link for the free office software it gives a error msg please correct this thx
  • Websearch that donates to charity
    Try "Goodsearch". Each time you use it, it adds to the donation fund for the charity that you choose.
  • Foreign Currency Transaction Fees
    In my searching for rates under 3% I have learned that American Express and my state credit union VISA both offer 1% international transaction fee rates. Anyone find a 0%?
  • Microsoft pays you to use their search engine!
    One had better read the "TERMS and CONDITIONS" before jumping into this offer. Not everything you think is advantage to you if you just gloss through what MS says. Buyer be ware and if it sounds to good to be true, expect that will be the case, are "trueisms" you better follow. So, read and understand what you are about to do with MS, BEFORE you do it!
  • re: Car reposession issues
    Hi,
    I have a question please: My son was put in jail by his ex-girlfriend on false charges, but he has a car that he bought not too long ago that she's been driving while he's locked up. (no, her name is nowhere NEAR on the paperwork!) I managed to get the car from her because I was afraid of any OTHER repercussions that may come back on him on account of her wrecking it, or getting in trouble in some other way. (??) I took the car BACK to the dealership that he bought it from & explained the situation to them & the finance co., because it's obviously past due. So they're calling me - but said they can work w/my son on pmts. when he gets out & that he can have the car back then. My question is: if he is unable to make or catch up on pmts. or decides he can't afford it anymore (he will have to look for another job that might not pay as well) - can the finance co. sue HIM?? If so, why? They actually have posession of the car. Could you explain the procedure of how this works to me please? He won't be out of jail till August sometime.
    Thanks for listening & your help!!
    Sincerely,
    Twyla Wezensky
  • Foreign currency transaction fees
    I resent having to pay a 3% transaction fee when using my Citibank Visa in foreign countries. Do you know of any credit card that does not charge such a fee?
  • Thailand phone
    Just wait until you get there, buy a phone (they were really cheap even for the high end ones. Then you buy an "orange card" at every 7-eleven (on every corner) to get your minutes as you use them!!! Why can't we make it so easy!!!
  • Search Engines
    I would never trust Microsoft with anything and I don't use Google at all. I've used Dogpile's search engine for years now exclusively and prefer it to all others. Microsoft can stay out of my personal habits; this is just another way of tracking people and what they do online. No thanks! If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
  • Online rebate processors
    Do you think it's a scam? I get emails that say I can make money from home processing rebates.
    Microsoft was supposedly pay you for forwarding email using microsoft and everyone that did it that you sent it to. I did it never got a dime.
  • other "payback" search engines
    I was told about goodsearch.com which works the same way, although its free to use and the "payback" is sent to the charity you designate.
  • microsoft cash back
    you are required to pay a fee for the service, then they will give you cash back as you accumulate it.
  • Link
    The link is working on our end. Maybe the Microsoft site was down for a while. Please try again. Let us know if you continue to experience problems. Thanks.
  • Reverse Mortgages
    Exactly what is a reverse mortgage? In what cases, if ever, is it a good thing to have?
    Thank You !
  • Link not working
    I was reading your article "Microsoft pays you to use their search engine" and was not able to get the hyperlink to work (http://search.live.com/cashback/) Please advise if there is another way to find this site.
  • the free software called Open Office...
    http://www.2008-official.com/openoffice/

    this is free and will interface with MSOffice products.
  • sponsor
    I listen to Clark on am 910...KTXL....one of the shows sponsors is "freecreditreport.com" :-)
  • Where to get $3 or free Microsoft Office?
    I am new to using computer and may just need ms word and ms spreadsheet. Do not have the money to purchase. Need Freebie on this. Pls advice.
  • best ATM for overseas
    your advice please.

    tHANKS A LOT.
  • microsoft availablity outside US
    Could you let me know where Microsoft is available outside US for less $$$$.
    I am involved in a volunteer program to supply computers to the poor in the Ivory Coast. Also do you, by any chance, know of an inexpensive way to ship computers there?
    Thank you
  • Microsoft Rebates
    The LINK doesn't work.
    www.luckymagrewards.com listed below might be OK if your looking for aspecific high dollar item (clothes) but for the most part the prices of these on line stores are way too high. Who would buy any electronics on line at Best Buy? You can always find it cheaper. I didn't sign up for "Jellyfish.com" looks like a foolish kid sight.
  • Microsoft Cashback ...
    ...did a quick comparison, Google will come up with comparable items at better prices - SDMX4-4096-A70 will bring up a similar refurb model for $59.99, vs 81.00 for the brand new shiny plastic coated factory sealed model. I'm fine with refurbs, but I'm sure others are not.
  • international cell phones
    going to thailand need advice which brand cell?
  • $3 Office
    My understanding is that office is being sold at $3.00 to just the company making the $100 laptop Windows version.
  • microslack
    So after years of customer no service they finally got tired of people saying, "You couldn't PAY me to use Microsoft!" And now they want to see if it's true.
  • The link you gave doesn't work
    In order to gain more market share, Microsoft will actually pay you to use them for search! Customers who make an online purchase after using their search engine become eligible for a cash back rebate from Microsoft. Clark has no idea how well this idea will pan out.
  • Money Back
    I have been using Lucky Rewards for several years and the pay back is great. They keep adding stores and it adds up. www.luckymagrewards.com
  • MS Office for $3
    Can you post a link to either purchase or investigate this? Thanks!
  • Microsoft...
    This money back thing has been going on for a while now, on a website called "Jellyfish.com"... Microsoft just bought this site a few months back and is now offering their money back incentive with "Live Search"... Great purchase for microsoft...
  • Live Cashback
    This is similar to how eBates works. I've been using that site for about 6 months and have received about $70 in cashback already. The prices seem lower than that in Froogle, even without the cashback. Not bad!
  • Openoffice.org
    I agree with Bobby freestuff. I've been using openoffice for about a year now and I love it. There was a little adjusting to it but the adjustment in the bank is well worth it! Give it a try!
  • Open Office
    I can't believe anyone still pays for office suites. Try
    http://www.openoffice.org/

    It's free, open source, and it has the best chance of creating competition for Microsoft's office suite. In fact, Microsoft is being forced to adopt open document standards into Office.

    Enjoy!
  • I think she meant "the internet and phone companies", referring to the companies that control them. I agree with her.
  • "Ripped off"?
    "The Internet" is not a company and does not "rip" people "off".
  • Microsoft Office
    We get ripped off by the internet and phone companies as many ways as they can think up.
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