Microsoft enters group-buying game with discounts aggregator, Bing Deals

The Bing Deals site highlights not only the growth of the group buying space but also the increasing popularity of deals aggregators. Users are finding it too difficult to locate individual deals on the exploding number of sites, so developers and entrepreneurs are doing it for them.

Bing Mobile director of product management Andy Chu wrote in a blog post overnight that rather than developing its own platform, Bing will be using DealMap to source bargains for customers.

"Bing's mission is to help you cut through the clutter of the web to make decisions more quickly – whether that's through our own innovations or by teaming up with industry experts," Chu said in a blog post.

"The DealMap is a leading source for people to find and share the best local deals, so naturally it made sense for us to team up with them to bring you the best experience."

While the company hasn't said how many sites it will be using to source discounts, it claims that Bing Deals will be "giving you access to more than 200,000 unique offers in over 14,000 cities and towns across the US."

Visitors wanting to use the service will need to visit m.bing.com – a new "deals" tab will show up that will point users to the nearest discount.

Once a user finds the deal they're looking for, they can save it, share it through email or simply go to the deal's provider to claim it.

Deals will also be displayed on search results made through the normal desktop version of Bing, with companies offering discounts to be highlighted with a green "Deals" icon.

DealMap is owned by search engine Center'd, founded in 2006 by a former Yahoo vice president.
TechCrunch reported last year the company has gained about $US8.9 million in funding, but the new Bing deal is almost sure to deliver it more revenue.

The new partnership with Microsoft highlights how popular aggregators are becoming – several have popped up in Australia. One aggregator, Buyii, was even targeted by Cudo which sent it a cease and desist letter, ordering it to stop using the Cudo logo and its deals.

Some group buying sites believe these aggregators aren't offering anything new to customers and should be stopped, fearing they will ultimately be used more than their own dedicated websites.

Dean McEvoy, chief executive of group buying site Spreets, says there is a place for aggregator sites but at the moment he's not concerned about their growth.

"We have an internal debate about this. The reality is that in the early days, you help them by giving relative content, and maybe down the line they'll help you out as well. It's an interesting problem and it's something we're definitely looking at."

"But in terms of these aggregator sites, we're not hugely worried about them and if anything they'll drive traffic back to us. They can deliver the most amount of deals, yes, but that's not necessarily what people want."

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written by JameNu, March 04, 2011

One of the most popular ones in Australia is http://DealsMix.com.au . I have been using it since 4 months now and it doesn't look dodgy like others. I think aggregator sites have a huge market... cause it gives users flexibility to choose. I used to get 15 emails from 15 different group buying sites... now I just get one from DealsMix with all the deals in it includinh those 15.

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written by Zhen Buyii.com.au, March 04, 2011

Another sockpuppeting post by Dealsmix. You couldn't make it more obvious.

Dean is right though. Ultimately there are those who will always prefer going to the group buying sites they are loyal to and trust. Then there are those who will prefer to have deals aggregated and displayed on one page. It's nice to have these options available to daily deal consumers.

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written by DealPinch, March 04, 2011

"Doesn't look dodgy like the others"

Don't know who your talking about, but it isn't Deal Pinch!

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written by james81, March 04, 2011

Zhen I didn't quite get your message here? "Another sockpuppeting post by Dealsmix".
I like DealPinch as well cause its clean, ... I tried Buyii but those old, lame, Google adsense ads on the top, cheesed me out...

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written by Zhen Buyii.com.au, March 04, 2011

James. I'm sure you are aware that Google Adsense is displayed on many sites. I don't see how one ad placement should relegate a site to being 'dodgy'. This same site and post you are blogging on serve the same ad network. Your post was a broad swipe at all competing aggregators which is unfair. Simply calling every other site 'dodgy' without an explanation will lead many to the conclusion you are sockpuppeting. Glad you enjoy using Dealsmix, but since they publish the least deals out of all the aggregators I've seen, you are missing out on quite a few deals everyday. Its a nice looking site aesthetically I give it that.

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written by james81, March 04, 2011

Haha... Relax mate! This is just my opinion. I am group buying fanatic so I do follow up blogs & posts.

Aesthetic wise I like your layout as well... just few things that makes it dodgy. Try clicking on your DailyBonanza offer, Sydney... it shows Hair removal and goes to Freshly baked cake :) (this is dodgy). Also, type in dealmix.com.au :) I read this is some other blog comments.

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written by NickM, March 04, 2011

Zhen does Buyii.com.au know about your representation of the company on blogs and other sites? Your attitude and responses to anyone commenting on your site/any aggregator service is aggresive and unconstructive. I am only learning about these sites today and given the attitude of your company represented by your comments I will never use your site. By the way James81 never said your site was dodgy, he simply questioned your allegation of sockpuppeting by JamesNu & commented that your adsense placement was cheesy, get your facts right before you unleash a salvo!

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written by Zhen Buyii.com.au, March 04, 2011

If you feel my responses are aggressive then I feel you have misunderstood them.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe James81 and JamesNu are the same person. The same 'James' who has commented in previous threads writing negative comments about other aggregator sites. I questioned the legitimacy of the comment as they have been known to sockpuppet on several different occasions.

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written by Zhen Buyii.com.au, March 04, 2011

James, I feel your use of the term 'dodgy' is far out of context and in many cases unnecessary (hence my response about your issues with Google Adwords). If you still feel we are dodgy then of course I will respect your opinion, but I do believe it deserves a response especially if we feel it is unjustified. The example you have just bought up is again unsubstantiated. Our Dailybonza link brings users to the site fine and the deal is clearly advertised as one of the side deals, available for purchase. It is the deal provider who do not provide permalinks hence not being taken directly to the side deal itself. I hope that clears that up with you.

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written by Linda4h, March 04, 2011

Please stop it Zhen... You sound like a stuck record... You keep ranting about how people should view your site... You always pick up a negative point and cry about it... Same like cudo.. Is this ur SEO strategy ? Anyways concentrate on the article... Thanks Patrick...

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written by myself, March 04, 2011

It appears the deal independents are becoming a little nervous about the trend toward aggregators, it was only a matter of time given the exponential growth in group buying sites. The deal sites with the best deals across the most varied leisure and lifestyle categories will win in the end but what's missing is 'personalisation'. The best aggregator will be the one that offers the best personalisation based on interests and location. I don't see Bing Deals as a deal aggregator but more a deal engine, makes sense, any point of difference to the big Google will help.

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written by nas, March 07, 2011

Spreets CEO is "...not concerned about their growth" re aggregators. How could he not be?? Why would you subscribe to Spreets when you can subscribe to an aggregator and have a view of many deals???
coupongroup.com.au is my choice so far but they're all better than signing up to specific deal sites.

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written by BargainDesk, May 17, 2011

I've just check Bing deals. Very impressive.

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written by dealison, June 09, 2011

Some interesting discussions around deal aggregation. In the US, Yippit has been excluded from a few affiliate programs but as this segments gathers momentum, things will eventually change.

We have recently launched a similar site for Australian market. It is called DealisON.com.au.
http://www.dealison.com.au

So far no letters and we have been accepted by affiliate programs as well.

Thanks