Bing is the new search engine from Microsoft, or decision engine as they prefer to call it. It claims that it can help you find information that other search engines cannot find and do so more quickly as well. The only question that really matter is, is it better than Google?
The Buzz about Bing
Bing is the new search engine from Microsoft. It has been designed to compete head-on with Google. It claims to offer advantages in terms of finding more information in less clicks. It also claims to be designed to help people make better decisions based upon better information. Specifically, it seeks to reduce the number of searches that are abandoned without a satisfactory result, and the number which then require a second stage of refinement or re-query.
| Ease of Use | Rating  |
When Google first launched, it was the simplicity of the interface that was most striking. Bing pays homage to this with a simple uncluttered feel. It strikingly distinguishes itself from Google by its use of an image background which changes periodically. The basic interface provides links to MSN and Windows Live, as well as specialist searches for Images, Videos, News Maps and Shopping. The results page again looks like Google, but provides a number of features which enhance its usability
The Main Bing screen
| Features | Rating |
The results page offers a number of nice features. The Advanced Search is very easy to use with drop down menus and/or radio buttons to refine the search by terms, country, site or language. Perhaps the most striking features is an orange line to the right of the results. When you move the mouse over this line, Bing provides additional information from the result. Where links are included in the additional information, a single click will take you there directly.
Additional information at the roll of a mouse
| Search Capability | Rating  |
It is difficult to assess Bing’s search capability in a meaningful and systematic way. Initial tests of my own name produced different results from Google. My site is optimized for Google. As a result, the top two results on Google are mine if you search for my name, as are 4 out of the top ten (Five with the UK qualifier). In Bing, although the top two articles relate to me, they are different from the Google return, and the top return is a third party site. The problem is that organizations invest large amounts of money to optimize results for Google. Clients using Bing may not find the sites they want to if they have been optimized for Google.
| Ability to Improve the Use of Information Found | Rating  |
Microsoft makes a lot of Bing's aim to improve the use of information found. It is difficult to see how this is achieved in the current iteration. However, Bing is new technology, and Microsoft has a track record of taking several generations to optimize the benefits from new technology. This is, therefore, a case of watch this space.
Is Bing the New Google?
Bing is undoubtedly good. It is easy to use, has a couple of nice features, and is attractive to look at. However, the position of Google is so dominant in search that overtaking Google will require more work, more features and particularly, making good on the claim that Bing will help you make better use of the information you find, building on Microsoft’s experience of application development. Until then, it will be playing catch up with the market leader.