Microsoft may soon ‘bribe’ users for choosing Edge over Google Chrome

In a bid to retain users, Microsoft is stepping up its efforts to promote its Edge browser by offering incentives. Recent findings from Windows Latest reveal that Microsoft is encouraging users to stick with Edge by providing 1,300 Rewards points when they search for "Chrome" on Bing. These points can be exchanged for gift cards or even donated to various non-profit organizations. The promotion features a banner stating, "Earn 1,300 Microsoft Rewards points by trying Edge," which emphasizes the potential to redeem points for tangible rewards or charitable contributions. Interestingly, this initiative does not extend to searches for other competing browsers like Opera or Brave, indicating a targeted strategy by Microsoft. According to Similarweb, Google Chrome dominates the PC browser market with a significant 69.3% share, while Microsoft Edge lags at 15.48%. When testing the search for Chrome on Bing ourselves, we encountered an advertisement highlighting the advantages of Edge rather than any rewards. The ad claimed, "Microsoft Edge runs on the same technology as Chrome, with the added trust of Microsoft," subtly pointing out that both browsers share the same Chromium framework. This open-source project is not only the foundation for Chrome but also for many of its rivals. Furthermore, the advertisement outlined four unique features that Edge offers over Chrome, including a built-in VPN, rewards programs, Microsoft Recommendations, and AI personalization. Despite these selling points, Microsoft has struggled to significantly influence user preferences towards Edge, as the company had hoped. Stay updated with all the latest in technology by following our reports.