Microsoft Live Search Goes Offline For Cashback Customers

By: Mary Couchman
Staff Writer
Published: Dec 2, 2008

Microsoft confirmed that its Live Search Cashback program was offline for several hours on Friday. Particpants in the Live Search program are expected to receive 40 percent cashback rewards. Only 3 percent was reported as purchased items.

Microsoft Corp has confirmed that its Live Search Cashback program suffered a major downtime issue last Friday. The outage occurred during the busiest shopping day of the year. Many participants lost their cash rewards during the outage.

"Microsoft Live Search cashback experienced an unexpected outage for several hours on Friday, November 28. If you are interested in following up on a cashback rebate for a qualifying HP purchase that you completed Friday at HP's Home & Home Office web site, we kindly request that you contact Microsoft," the company said in a statement.

Some customers will actually receive 40 percent cashback rewards, although the company didn't go into details. Live Search reported only 3 percent participation due to the outage.

Despite the setback, the Microsoft Live Search Cashback program is actually quite good. The program was first announced in May 2008. Microsoft partnered with eBay to give consumers instant cash rebates for items purchased.

The program then changed later in the year to begin a new ad-funded business model. This would give customers cash rebates for those who find and purchase products by using Live Search.

Microsoft then added new partners such as with Barnes & Noble, Overstock.com, Sears, and Zappos.com to participate in the program.

Live Search cashback includes more than 10 million products. There are more than 700 merchants participating in the program.