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- Microsoft has concocted another scheme to pay people to use Edge
- It’s a referral link that gives you reward points for every friend invited
- A strange Bing app has also been spotted that switches some browsers to have Microsoft’s search engine by default, and it’s proving controversial
In a familiar move, Microsoft is ramping up its promotional efforts for Edge and Bing, initiatives that may not be met with enthusiasm from users of Windows 11. The latest endeavor involves enticing users to adopt the Edge browser through a referral program that offers tangible rewards.
Currently active on the mobile version of Edge, this referral scheme allows users to earn 500 Microsoft Rewards points for each friend they successfully invite to switch to Edge. Ambitious participants can accumulate up to 7,500 points monthly, provided their referrals are new users who have never installed the mobile browser. To qualify, the invited friend must sign into Edge and engage with the browser, including web searches on Bing, for at least two days within the first two weeks after being referred.
As noted by Windows Latest, there is no immediate way to access this referral scheme; users will need to continue using Edge mobile until the offer is presented to them.
In addition to the referral initiative, a more conspicuous effort to promote Bing has surfaced. A leaker on X recently revealed a small application dubbed ‘Microsoft Recommended Search,’ designed solely to change the default search engine to Bing. This app presents a straightforward slider interface that, when activated, modifies the default search settings across various installed browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and potentially others like Brave, by adding extensions. Users are subsequently directed to the Microsoft Rewards page, further incentivizing the switch.
Analysis: an ominous sign?
The emergence of this Bing-switching application raises questions about Microsoft’s future plans for Windows 11. While it appears to be a testing tool rather than an active deployment, the very existence of such an app stirs concerns among users regarding potential future implementations. Many hope that Microsoft will refrain from adopting such strategies, as they could undermine the company’s efforts to enhance user experience with its desktop OS.
Discontent is palpable among some users, particularly on platforms like Reddit, where discussions have surfaced about the motivations behind these initiatives. Some users, having transitioned to Linux, cite these promotional tactics as a driving factor for their migration away from Windows. As one Redditor succinctly put it, “Every day is a Microslop news day, I’m so glad I quit Windows a while ago.” This sentiment resonates with others who share similar frustrations.
While the referral program for Edge is not a novel concept for Microsoft—previous campaigns have included substantial cash prizes—the current approach hints at a growing urgency to attract users to Edge and Bing. Ironically, Edge is a capable web browser that stands on its own merits; excessive promotion may inadvertently breed skepticism among potential users, prompting them to resist rather than embrace the platform.
