Is Microsoft about to bribe users to increase searches on their system?
Tuesday, December 13th, 2005
According to BreakingViews, Microsoft is entertaining the thought of paying users to use their search engine.
Wouldn’t building a better product be a more effective strategy than bribing users? The answer to that question is a resounding “YES!” The reasons that support that answer are outlined in the BreakingViews article but they miss out on a very important parallel: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) vs. Pay-Per-Click (PPC).
SEO is an investment with residual effects that last far longer than a PPC campaign. Typically a blend of these strategies will provide the best results. That said, if Microsoft is going to concentrate their strategy on a PPC-like endeavor, then the sure as hell better be ramping up on the technology side as well or they will always be trailing Google.
