Computers,
tablets, and smartphones are all thoroughly integrated into my life. Like most people, I’ve developed some pretty
strong opinions and preferences about them along the way. However, I have never actually cared a great
deal about search engines. I’ve seen
and used Google, GoodSearch, Ask, Yahoo, AVG, Bing, etc. '
Whatever
was there I used. By and large, they all
seem to serve the exact same purpose: They found me a selection of useful links
to get me where I need to go next.
“But Google
can do so much more, right in the box!”
Yes, I can imagine a number of you are shaking your virtual fists,
telling me why I should care. Go right
ahead. No, seriously: please, let me
know why, and I will gladly read your responses. I may well be persuaded. I really hadn’t bothered to give it much
notice . . . till now.
Just
recently, I received a promotional email from BING, suggesting that I join up
and take advantage of their rewards. I
travel a lot; the number of emails that I get from airlines, hotels,
restaurants, retail stores, and credit cards that contain the word REWARD in
the heading is staggering. My brain is
starting to categorize that word as one with no more importance than the word “the.”
However, when I saw this email's subject line, something sparked in my
brain. I search. I do a lot of searching. Do they mean I could get rewarded for searching? It’s a scam, right? Nope.
The next
question that naturally occurred was “How arduous would enabling this process
be?” Easier than setting up Facebook.
I have a
Microsoft account, glennoliver@outlook.com, so the process of
signing into the search engine was simple.
(If you have a Google account, it’s a very kindred experience.) I was now automatically associated with the
search engine. With just normal usage I
was accumulating points pretty steadily.
“What can I actually do with these points?” I wondered. Just like all those reward programs I alluded
to earlier, I was conditioned to the idea of racking up points that could only
be spent in a sponsor’s environment and exclusively on their products.
Sure
enough, BING has a rewards section, but what is surprising is that it’s
actually compelling. There is a wide
variety of virtual and real-world products.
I immediately found items and gift cards that I really want without
leaving the first page. All for doing .
. . what I already do.
Am I
selling myself out? I don’t think so.
This is not like switching a phone carrier. I don’t have anything vested in the other
search engines. I haven’t given anything
up, as I still use and have complete access to the programs and features of
Yahoo and Google. But there's now
something more, more than rewards: it’s
also a game.
I had long
ago fallen hard for the Trophy and Achievement rewards system that you are
given in the Playstation and XBOX worlds.
I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve logged into a game just to get a
specific moniker, for no other reason than it was there and I needed to get it.
Well, just like Achievements in XBOX, Bing presents you with challenges. As you complete them, you get rewards, you
advance to the next level, levels affect your reward structure, and new goals
become attainable.
I’ve caught
myself thinking about Bing like I would a game.
Have I achieved my daily goal? what are Bing’s new quests for the day?
how can I best achieve my long-term goal toward leveling or obtaining a
product? Hmm. Is it insidious or brilliant?
Either way, it’s successful. I’ve
already been using Bing, on purpose.
I’d love to
know your thoughts.
And, if you
are inclined to try Bing, write to me.
We can both gain more reward points if you get invited!
#shamefulplugs
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