Is Microsoft's Cashback putting pressure on Google Checkout?

Although Google might not have much to fear from Microsoft, on the whole, could a new promotion in Google Checkout represent a response to Microsoft's Live Search Cashback feature?

In a new back-to-school promotion, Google is now offering a $5 to $10 discount on purchases made at partner sites that use its Checkout Service.

Unlike previous promotions from Google of this kind, the current one lets you use the discount as many times -- and on as many partner sites -- as you'd like.

Meanwhile, on the merchant side, Google allows participating sites to process orders and charge customers' credit and debit cards without fees.

Google has also been running additional promotions for merchants but on a limited time basis, such as offering 50 free AdWords to sites that agree to take part.

As previously reported in BetaNews, according to many accounts, Microsoft's Cash Back services -- which gives cash back to consumers buying products through LiveSearch -- seems to be faring well in helping to improve the company's search share, in recent figures from comScore.

To find online stores that accept Google Checkout, you need to search Google for items you're interested in buying. Sites participating in the Checkout program show up as sponsored links with shopping cart icons.