As part of a new loyalty scheme for customers, Microsoft is reportedly offering a free month of search ads on any online Microsoft Live service, which includes Messenger, Hotmail and the MSN search engine.

The story first appeared in MarketingWeek, which quoted Cedric Chambaz, marketing manager for Microsoft adCenter, as saying that "the aim is to make brands realize that we can deliver better results than competitors like Google."

That makes sense, given the fact that Microsoft's ongoing feud with Google turned white-hot yesterday when the search giant launched its own browser. But details of this offer remain unclear.

Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Land reports that he was unable to find a signup for the offer. An email and call to Microsoft seeking clarification were not immediately returned.