‘Don’t get Scroogled’, Microsoft’s anti–Google message to all of us this holiday season

[101gamzer]

The holiday season is here again and it’s not only family get-togethers that become contentious, big software companies can’t resist either. Microsoft has just launched a campaign called ‘Don’t get Scroogled’, that takes aim squarely at Google Shopping.

*tbreak.com/tech/files/scroogled1-600x272.png

Microsoft claims that when users search for products through Google’s shopping-only section, results shown will be skewered in favour of retailers who have paid Google to be there. This means that some retailers who cannot afford to pay will not be displayed even if their products are better or cheaper for the consumer. Microsoft doesn’t want you to get ‘scroogled’ by Google’s evil ‘pay-to-rank’ system.

So, use Bing instead.

In a press release, Microsoft contends, “Bing won’t let who pays us for ads or other services affect what you see in your shopping search results. Search results are one thing; ads are another. We won’t switch to pay-to-rank to allow fees to influence the ranking of shopping search results. In short, we think that too many shoppers who use Google for their shopping are getting “Scroogled” when they should be getting fair, honest, open search results.”

A Bing blog post goes further, “In the beginning, Google preached, “Don’t be evil”—but that changed on May 31, 2012. That’s when Google Shopping announced a new initiative. Simply put, all of their shopping results are now paid ads.”

Ouch.

Shoppers are advised to visit the ‘Scroogled‘ website (a very weird looking one, this writer would like to add) and even watch a video to learn more about how to avoid being screwed by Google.

SOURCE

Visit THE ONE AND ONLY SCROOGLED SITE Have you been Scroogled? Try Bing—we don't limit your shopping choices.

 

[doomgiver]

i'd rather let myself get scroogled a million times than use bing.


fun fact : *that* is a guy in drag.

 

[gameranand]

Well neither Google nor Bing would work much for India, common sense and researching would help. This doesn't affect me much, one company trying to get some market share from other company thats all.

 

[D@rekills4]

Anyone else find this highly unprofessional?

 

[Windows]

Google clearly says that "Google Shopping is a commercial site"

 

[noob]

Bing sucks anyways. Instead of improving it (i don't even care) all they are doing is to target Google.
I remember their last failed attempt were they would show 2 results side by side and asked people to choose the results. Turned out that Google scored much higher & MS had to stop the contest.

 

[Vyom]

Even junglee don't work for me, let alone Google's shopping site.
For me (and most probably others), only source for buying online, in general order of preference would be directly : Flipkart > Sites like Primeabgb > ebay ...

 

[digit.sh]

DuckDuckGo rocks!!
DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo rocks!!
www.ddg.gg

DuckDuckGo rocks!!
www.ddg.gg

 

[doomgiver]

for those who like google, but value their privacy :

*startpage.com/eng/

 

[Nanducob]

Anyone else find this highly unprofessional?

yup,use this-use that,we are awesome,google sucks...

 

[doomgiver]

i dont get it... is M$ still filled with dodgy old men in stolid business suits?

they are digging a grave for themselves. one of these days, the public outcry will shake this company.

M$, what you need to do is close your doors for 2 years and then come out with revolutionary products. which dont suck. dont try to control the customers, make them want to come to you, a la apple.

 

[101gamzer]

^The real thing is that Microsoft will never learn from their own mistakes

 

[Desmond]

i dont get it... is M$ still filled with dodgy old men in stolid business suits?

they are digging a grave for themselves. one of these days, the public outcry will shake this company.

M$, what you need to do is close your doors for 2 years and then come out with revolutionary products. which dont suck. dont try to control the customers, make them want to come to you, a la apple.

...+1

Microsoft had always been a douche bag company when it came to competition, but I remember a time when people feared Microsoft and M$ never had to do something ridiculous like this. Looks like desperate times call for desperate measures.