Microsoft's latest move to pay people to use Edge looks desperate — and an odd new Bing app is worrying too

image via TechRadar

August 24, 2026, 2:30 PM

• •Microsoft is running a referral program on Edge mobile that offers 500 Microsoft Rewards points per successful invite.
• •Referred users must be new to Edge mobile and use Edge and Bing for at least two days within the first two weeks.
• •Windows Latest reported a standalone Microsoft app called Microsoft Recommended Search that sets Bing as the default search engine.
• •The app reportedly affects browsers including Chrome and Firefox by adding extensions to switch search defaults.
• •The article says the Bing-switching app is hosted on Microsoft's download servers but is not currently being pushed through Windows 11.
• •The piece argues that repeated promotions for Edge and Bing may alienate users rather than attract them.

TechRadar reports that Microsoft is offering some Edge mobile users Microsoft Rewards points for referring new users to the browser. The referred users must sign in and use Edge and Bing for at least two days within two weeks for both parties to receive points. The article also highlights a standalone app called Microsoft Recommended Search that can change default search settings in browsers such as Chrome and Firefox to Bing through extensions. While the Bing app is not being deployed through Windows 11 at present, its existence has fueled concern and criticism about Microsoft's tactics to promote Edge and Bing.

Read original article