Microsoft will pay you to get your friends using Edge

Microsoft really wants you to try out its Edge browser — and it’s willing to put its money where its mouth is. The tech giant has previously awarded Edge usage over competing browsers with monetary incentives, and it is now paying users for convincing others to make the switch.

The company has a new referral program that gives current Edge users Microsoft Rewards points when they get someone to try out the new browser, as highlighted by Windows Latest.

This isn’t the first Microsoft promotion we’ve seen that rewards usage of its products. The company has previously incentivized Bing usage and has even given out incentives if you stick with Edge over Chrome.

Microsoft’s new referral program had previously been spotted in an early Canary build, so its appearance in stable now isn’t all that surprising.

The new Rewards program is limited to Edge on Android and iOS, and it doesn’t appear to be locked to any specific region. Normally, the option to refer comes up as a prompt for those who regularly use Edge as their mobile browser. It also appears that users who follow referral links from others may be able to start issuing links of their own, but the full specifics on eligibility are not immediately clear.

The program offers users 500 Microsoft Rewards points for every successful referral. As of right now, 1 Rewards point converts to roughly $0.0009 for Xbox and Microsoft gift cards. One successful referral would net you roughly $0.45 in value.

Microsoft caps the amount you can earn every month at 7,500 (15 successful referrals). 7,500 points is roughly $6.82. Considering you max out your rewards every month for a year, you’d be able to rack up 90,000 points, which equals about $81.82 in value for Xbox or Microsoft gift cards.

While the best point-to-dollar amount conversion comes from Microsoft and Xbox gift cards, you don’t necessarily have to go for them. The program also includes gift cards for Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Uber Eats, and more. Alternatively, you also have the option to redeem your points to enter sweepstakes, or you can choose to donate them to participating charities.

What counts as a successful referral

Simply clicking a referral link and creating an account doesn’t qualify as a referral. The person you’re inviting actually needs to use Edge.

Of course, this only applies to new Edge users being invited. They’ll need to install Edge through your unique referral link and sign in with their Microsoft account. The new user must then perform at least one search in Edge on two different days within the first 14 days of joining. Once that requirement is met, both users will receive 500 points.

The program isn’t going to make you rich overnight, but it can certainly supplement the points you might already be earning through other Microsoft Rewards activities, including searching with Bing, buying stuff from the Microsoft Store, playing select Xbox games, and more.