Summary
Microsoft Rewardsusers are growing frustrated over limitations put in place on earning points via searches.Microsoft Rewardsmembers have shared their complaints, and it seems that several have experienced this issue.
The long-runningMicrosoft Rewards program has seen changesover the years, but its overall purpose has stayed the same in giving users points for doing things they were probably already doing anyway, which can then be turned in for gift cards or other goodies. For example, Microsoft Rewards users can complete Game Pass Quests or search the web via Bing to earn points. However, users are having some issues with the search option.
Microsoft Rewards users have gathered on social media to complain aboutrestrictions in place on earning points via Bing searches. Users have reported getting messages warning them that they’ve performed “unusual search activity” and that they will be limited in how many points they can receive via searches based on time elapsed. One user shared a screen informing them that they were capped at earning points via search to just three searches every 30 minutes. While points earned via Bing searches have been rate limited in the past, it seems the limits have been increased or that the system is flagging users who haven’t done anything wrong.
Why are Microsoft Rewards Bing Search Rewards Being Limited?
While there’s no official statement regarding any recent changes made to the system,Microsoft Rewards and Binghave most likely put these limits in place to deter spam. Users who spam the search via bots or manually to earn the maximum number of points quickly are likely what Microsoft is hoping to stymie here. However, users who claim that they always perform legitimate searches are still getting caught up in the mix.
Microsoft’s goal of rewarding users for searching via Bing is likely an attempt to encourage users to use Bing overall, rather than Google or another search engine. Unfortunately, this situation may make users sour at using the search engine at all. While it’s understandable that Microsoft Rewards doesn’t want to give spammers points for quickly searching numerous times in rapid succession, many people normally run frequent searches on the web, with or without rewards incentive. In light of these developments, some Microsoft Rewards users seem to be giving up on running searches entirely to earn points. The good news is that there are still numerous ways to earn points through the program without running a single search, but it’s understandable if users aren’t happy to see one potential avenue of earning restricted this way.
With some luck, Microsoft will take notice of this issue and adjust its search limits so that its users don’t get flagged when no abuse was intended. Microsoft has responded tounintentional Microsoft Rewards suspensionsin the past and made changes, so hopefully, the same happens here.
