Google search results for ipod touch

Searching for "ipod touch" on Google (GOOG) showed some recent changes in advertising strategy. Amazon is no longer allowing associates to directly link from Google to an affiliate landing page. Instead, affiliates have to place a Google advertisement for their own web page with an Amazon link. After this change, the first spot on the advertising panel on the right belongs to Amazon and links directly to their page. Another interesting point is that Microsoft's (MSFT) Bing is advertising it's cash back program for the "ipod touch" on Bing. Recently, there has been a spike in the bid price for these advertisments, and this may have been due to Microsoft and Amazon entering the bidding war for placement. I am not sure how many product advertisments Microsoft is placing on Google, but they're sending cash to their competitor with every click.