Last week, users began seeing prompts to set up Microsoft account log-ins for their Bing Ads accounts. Some users expressed consternation about the changes and log-in errors they were experiencing when trying to postpone the new process. Today, to mitigate customer angst and make the process as seamless as possible, the Bing Ads team posted […]
Last week, Microsoft issued a second announcement that it would be transitioning Bing Ads account logins to Microsoft accounts — currently used to access Hotmail, Messenger, SkyDrive, Windows Phone, Xbox LIVE, or Outlook.com services. Today, some users who clicked “Remind me later” and opted to login with their existing credentials got “Login Fail Error” notices […]
Bing Ads users may start seeing a new screen at login asking them to sign in with a Microsoft account, in much the same way AdWords users are required to have a Google account. Once you make the switch, you’ll need to use your Microsoft account name and password to access Bing Ads and Bing […]
Prior Microsoft search loyalty programs, SearchPerks and Cashback, were retired. But maybe the third time’s the charm: today Microsoft is rolling out Bing Rewards Preview (beta). It’s a credit card or airline-style loyalty program that offers users credits that can be redeemed for products, gift cards or charitable donations. People must first install the Bing […]
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web.
Out now from Microsoft Research is U Rank, an experiment that allows people to move results around, as well as share them with friends and add comments to listings.
Microsoft’s Live Search Cashback program has failed to grow the company’s search traffic significantly (as I expected), so now it’s try again time. Out officially today is SearchPerks, a program designed to be easier to use and more broadly targeted than Cashback.
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web.
Microsoft has experimentally introduced “SearchTogether,” which allows people to use a browser plug-in (IE7 only) to literally collaborate on search. You need a Windows Live ID and Messenger, but you can apparently use any search engine you like. Here’s a tutorial and some screens.
The Live Search QnA Blog announced a new release of Live Search QnA. Live Search QnA is Microsoft’s question and answer engine, similar to Yahoo Answers. This new release was coined the “Renaissance release,” and includes the following enhancements:
OpenID is a single sign-in infrastructure that potentially alleviates the need to create new passwords and user names for every new site one joins or visits. There’s been lots of discussion about OpenID and who’s in, who’s almost in, and so on. Today, Yahoo formally joined (and fully legitimized) the effort. Microsoft Passport was originally […]