Microsoft launched Microsoft Rewards in the UK on 1 June 2017, offering points for Bing searches and other Microsoft activities. The “bribe” framing is rhetorical: the documented offer was a points-based loyalty programme, not evidence that Microsoft paid users cash or that the launch measurably increased Bing or Edge use.
What Microsoft offered at the UK launch
Microsoft’s 1 June 2017 announcement said UK users could collect points through Bing searches, Microsoft Store purchases, daily quizzes, competitions and challenges. It listed Microsoft Store items and charity donations among the redemption choices. Kevin Stagg, then Microsoft’s Head of Consumer Marketing, described the search offer this way: “Unlike other reward schemes, where you have to spend money to get points, all you have to do with ours is run your searches through Bing and points will automatically register in your account as long as you’re logged in.” That was a statement about the launch-era programme, not a description of every current way to earn points. Microsoft UK Stories, 1 June 2017
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How the 2017 points and redemption examples worked
The launch announcement gave these period-specific figures. They explain the original UK offer; they are not verified current rates or prices.
| Launch-era detail | Figure reported by Microsoft UK in 2017 |
|---|---|
| Bing searches, Level 1 | Three points per search, up to 30 points a day |
| Bing searches, Level 2 | Up to 150 points a day |
| Level 2 qualification | At least 500 points collected in a month |
| Quiz | 30 points |
| Microsoft Store spending | One point per £1 spent |
| One month of Xbox Live Gold | 6,000 points |
| £5 Xbox digital gift card | 5,300 points |
| Windows Store gift card | 5,850 points |
All figures in the table are from the 2017 UK launch announcement. Redemption examples are historical, not a current catalogue or a reliable way to value points today.
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What current Microsoft guidance says
Microsoft’s current general support pages describe earning points through Bing searches, Windows search entry points, Microsoft Store purchases, quizzes or trivia, and selected Xbox games or quests. Users need to be signed in, and available methods and daily limits can vary by region. Microsoft’s Rewards overview currently says Level 1 members can earn on up to 10 searches a day and Level 2 members on up to 30 searches a day. Those are current overview figures, not a confirmation of the 2017 UK point rates; use the live UK account dashboard and local terms for applicable details.
Points are not cash, and rewards vary by region
Microsoft says Rewards points have no cash value. Its general support page gives an approximate illustration of about 5,000 points for a reward worth $5; that is neither a GBP conversion rate nor a guaranteed exchange rate for UK users. Offers, limits and redemption choices vary by country or region, may be time-limited, and can change. Microsoft also says some gift cards may not always be available. Check the redemption page in your own UK Rewards account for the options currently offered.
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Under Microsoft’s UK English Services Agreement, participation requires a valid Microsoft account and residence in an eligible region. The programme is for personal, non-commercial use; points cannot be bought and expire after 12 consecutive months without earning or redeeming points. Microsoft Services Agreement, UK English and Microsoft Support: redeem points
Search points require ordinary, genuine Bing searches
Microsoft defines a qualifying search as a query a person manually enters in good faith to get Bing results for their own research. Searches generated by bots, macros or other automated or fraudulent means do not qualify. Microsoft also warns that masking location or trying to earn rewards across countries can put eligibility or an account at risk. Microsoft Services Agreement, UK English and Microsoft Rewards troubleshooting
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- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
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Did the incentives make Brits use Bing or Edge?
The documented offer gave users a reason to try Bing: searches could earn points when users were signed in. But the launch announcement and current Microsoft guidance do not establish how many people changed search engines, whether Edge use rose, or how much behaviour changed because of the programme. The headline’s “bribes” is therefore a colourful description of an incentive, not a measured outcome or a claim that Microsoft offered cash.
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- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
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- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
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