Microsoft To Pay For Purchases Through Live Search

Seattle, WA (AHN) - Software giant Microsoft, seeking a way to acquire a larger slice of the search pie, has baked in cash incentives for people who buy items they find using Live Search.

The program is expected to be announced Wednesday.

Microsoft, now in third place in Internet search behind Google and Yahoo, reportedly will pay between two percent and 30 percent of a purchase from participating advertisers. The Redmond, Wash.-based company will then deposit the money in a bank, PayPal account or by check.

For advertisers, including Barnes & Noble, Sears and Office Depot, they pay Microsoft when a consumer buys an item through a search. Usually, advertisers by per-click.

After acquisition talks broke down with Yahoo, Microsoft has switched tactics and is considering acquiring only the search assets of the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Internet company.