According to Digital Trends, Microsoft is now offering 1,300 Microsoft Rewards points to Windows 11 users who search for “Chrome” using Bing in Edge but decide to stick with Microsoft’s browser instead. The promotion appears at the top of search results tagged as “Promoted by Microsoft,” effectively pushing Chrome’s download link down the page. These 1,300 points are worth approximately $10-15 and can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards, Roblox items, Spotify Premium access for up to three months, or donations to NGOs. This incentive comes as Edge holds less than 9% global browser market share compared to Chrome’s dominant 78%. The campaign specifically targets Chrome searches and represents Microsoft’s most direct attempt yet to convert potential defectors.
Desperation or strategy?
Here’s the thing – this isn’t subtle. When you’re literally paying people not to leave your product, that’s either brilliant customer retention or pure desperation. And honestly? It might be both. Microsoft has watched Edge languish in single-digit market share for years while Chrome eats the world. They’ve tried everything from deep Windows integration to AI features like Copilot. Now they’re trying cash.
But is $10-15 really enough to change someone’s browser habits? For casual users who don’t have strong browser preferences, maybe. For power users who live in Chrome’s ecosystem? Probably not. Still, it shows Microsoft’s willingness to experiment with direct financial incentives rather than just hoping features will win people over.
The bigger picture
What’s really interesting is how targeted this campaign is. As spotted by Windows Latest, Microsoft isn’t running similar promotions against Firefox, Opera, or Brave. They’re laser-focused on Chrome users. That tells you everything about who they see as the real competition.
Microsoft has been steadily building Edge into what they call a “productivity hub” with AI features and better performance. By most accounts, it’s actually a decent browser now – arguably better than Safari in many ways. But breaking Chrome’s dominance requires more than just being good. It requires giving people a reason to switch, and apparently Microsoft thinks cold hard cash (or gift card equivalent) might be that reason.
What this means for you
So should you take the deal? If you’re already on Windows 11, try searching for Chrome in Edge and see if the offer pops up. For $10-15 worth of rewards, it might be worth sticking around to see what Edge offers these days. The browser has come a long way from its early days.
But here’s the real question: Is this the future of software competition? Instead of just building better products, will companies start paying us to use theirs? It’s not entirely new – we’ve seen referral bonuses and sign-up incentives for years – but paying existing users not to leave feels different. More transactional. More desperate.
Either way, Microsoft’s move signals that the browser wars are far from over. They’re just getting more expensive to fight.
