Microsoft's share of searches performed rose in June, drawing a significant number people to its search functions with a promotional puzzle contest, reports The Seattle Post Intelligencer.

The Live Search Club integrates puzzles and games into search activity. Points for completing puzzles can be accumulated and then redeemed for various prizes.

While that leads some to wonder if the three percent Microsoft gained in search share is sustainable, the company says it's trying to turn those drawn to novelty search experiences into regular users.
Some of the games involved pre-populated searches players could click on, which may be inflating Microsoft's search percentage.

One analyst also points out that game players aren't likely to click on advertising links, something that arguably diminishes searchers' value to the company.