Microsoft Serves 'Misleading' Bing Search Page, Looks Like Google's

Microsoft Bing is serving what some consider a misleading page for searches because the likeness resembles Google's so closely.

Those performing searches on Microsoft Bing are served on a standard search page that consists of a search field with the search term at the top, followed by various user interface elements, such as the different Bing features, advertisements, and search results. 

Reports suggest "Microsoft is trying to hide" people are using Bing when they try to use Google, despite Microsoft clearly stating that the page is Sponsored. Windows Latest initially spotted the behavior. 

"
Microsoft may have found a way, which is somewhat sneaky, to reduce the bounce rate here (the number of users going away from Bing)," according to Windows Latest. 

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On the Bing homepage, users are presented with a Google-like doodle and an additional search field beneath. Most other content on the visible page promotes Google's services, making it look as if the searcher is on Google Search. 

Another identifying fact that the user is searching on Bing, a Microsoft ad on the page that tells the user “Every search brings you closer to a free donation for over 2 million nonprofits! Choose Microsoft Bing.” I guess if the person isn't paying attention, they might think they are on Google.

Glenn Gabe, SEO consultant at G-Squared Interactive, wrote on X that he only sees it "when entering http://google.com. Again, really bad optics for Bing on this one."

This is not unusual for Microsoft. The advertising industry has seen this with other Microsoft products. For example, Performance Max is a campaign type of Google Ads launched in November 2021 that helps advertisers optimize ad efforts across the Google Network. Microsoft also named its platform Performance Max in March 2024.

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