UK launch of Microsoft Rewards bribes Brits into using Bing and Edge

Formerly known as Bing Rewards, Microsoft Rewards has now made its way to the UK. The program rewards users for making searches with Bing, with extras thrown in if these searches are conducted in Microsoft Edge.

Users can accrue points by performing searches, completing quizzes, or spending money in the Microsoft Store, and these can then be exchanged for Skype credit, gift cards, Groove Music passes and more. It's a scheme that amounts to little more than bribery, and sees Microsoft paying people to use its products and services.

Every time you perform a Bing search, you can earn 3 points. This doubles if you are using Edge, and Microsoft says you can "earn points when you actively browse the web with Microsoft Edge." You can also earn 1 point for every pound spent in the Microsoft Store -- and there are 50 starter points just for signing up for the program, and more through the dashboard.

Microsoft Rewards uses a level system to further encourage participation. At level 1 you earn 3 points per Bing search, but this maxes out at 30 points per day. If you earn at least 500 points per month -- i.e. by using Bing a lot -- you can jump to level 2 which increases this to 150 points per day. It also unlocks "bonus offers."

If you're interested in signing up for the program, head over to the Microsoft Rewards page.

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