Microsoft is making every possible effort to get people to use Bing, and their most recent attempt is a $1 million prize that offers significant financial incentives to draw consumers. Open to Microsoft account holders in the US, Canada, UK, France, and Germany, the contest was introduced last month with the goal of encouraging users to interact with Bing’s search engine.
To enter, participants can perform various tasks associated with Bing. These include setting Bing as the default search engine, installing the Bing app, using Bing Travel, or simply running everyday searches for weather updates, translations, or recipes. Each of these activities can earn up to 200 virtual “tickets” per person, increasing their chances of winning. Microsoft has even added bonus entries for participants who bring in friends, shop on the Microsoft Store, or maintain a “Bing daily streak” by searching three times a day for seven days.
The contest is part of Microsoft Rewards, but the focus is clear: drive traffic to Bing. Despite Microsoft’s efforts over the years, including product placements on TV shows and more recently integrating a ChatGPT-based Copilot AI, Bing has barely managed to dent Google’s dominance. StatCounter data shows Bing’s share briefly hit just over 4 percent in October, only to drop back to the mid-3-percent range by early November.
The sweepstakes might be a temporary booster, offering Microsoft a fleeting increase in Bing’s user base. But the question remains whether this $1 million prize will deliver sustainable growth. The contest ends in December, and it’s yet to be seen if it will help Bing gain lasting traction in the competitive search engine market. For now, Microsoft seems determined to keep trying, hoping that this latest cash incentive might finally help Bing win over a few converts.
