Bing Blogs

Bing Blogs

This is a place devoted to giving you deeper insight
into the news, trends, people and technology behind Bing.

Search Blog

May

15

20 13

Boldly Go Where No Homepage Has Gone Before

On the Bing homepage, our mission over the past 5 years has been to help you explore the world around you, to seek out new views and new angles. For the Star Trek Into Darkness release, we’re boldly going where no homepage has gone before. Visit Bing today and enter one of our secret phrases in the search box to be transported to the Final Frontier. To see all of the fun things we have going on around Star Trek, check out our yesterday’s post . More importantly get out and go see the movie! Read More On the Bing homepage, our mission over the past 5 years has been to help you explore the world around you, to seek out new views and new angles. For the Star Trek Into Darkness release, we’re boldly going where no homepage has gone before. Visit Bing today and enter one of our secret phrases in the search box to be transported to the Final Frontier. To see all of the fun things we have going on around Star Trek, check out our yesterday’s post . More importantly get out and go see the movie! Read More
May

14

20 13

Bing and Paramount Pictures Bring Star...

In anticipation of the upcoming release of Star Trek Into Darkness we have teamed with Paramount Pictures to help you get it in the Starfleet Spirit. On May 16 th , the next installment of Star Trek hits theaters and we’ve been hard at work on a set of fun Bing features to celebrate your inner-Trekker. Speak Klingon/ : Just in time for your next dinner party or interplanetary skirmish, we’re releasing Klingon to Bing Translator. Now in a few simple clicks you can translate text from English to Klingon (and vice versa!) Available via the web here and also as an update to Bing Translator for Windows Phone 8 . You can read more about the feature from the Microsoft Translation Team here (Klingon version here. ) Understand a Tribble from a Romulan : Regardless of whether you’re new to the Star Trek universe or fresh from a convention, we’ve got you covered. Go ahead, ask us your favorite Star Trek question like “ who said live long and prosper?” You’ll see us serve up some fun results that will help you know Bones from Sulu . Check out the features on Bing and hit theatres on the 16 th . - The Bing Team Read More In anticipation of the upcoming release of Star Trek Into Darkness we have teamed with Paramount Pictures to help you get it in the Starfleet Spirit. On May 16 th , the next installment of Star Trek hits theaters and we’ve been hard at work on a set of fun Bing features to celebrate your inner-Trekker. Speak Klingon/ : Just in time for your next dinner party or interplanetary skirmish, we’re releasing Klingon to Bing Translator. Now in a few simple clicks you can translate text from English to Klingon (and vice versa!) Available via the web here and also as an update to Bing... Read More
May

13

20 13

Understand More with People Autosuggest

A few weeks ago we invited you to experience updates to Snapshot – the center column that shows you answers at a glance. With Snapshot, we’re able to provide a richer set of search results that help you understand the world around you and take action. Since people searches are the second most searched for category, after navigational queries, and represent roughly 10 percent of all searches on Bing, we’re constantly looking for ways to make it easier for you to find the person you’re looking for. Today, we are releasing a faster way to find people right from the search box. Now if you’re searching for a celebrity, politician, athlete or even a colleague with a publicly available LinkedIn profile, Bing provides a snapshot of information about that person below the search bar. For example, if you’re searching for Michelle Williams, we’ll ask you if you’re looking for Michelle Williams the actress or Michelle Williams the Destiny’s Child singer. In the milliseconds between keystrokes, Bing lets you narrow down your search by clicking on the correct person. If Bing has information on a person, we let you know by displaying it... Read More A few weeks ago we invited you to experience updates to Snapshot – the center column that shows you answers at a glance. With Snapshot, we’re able to provide a richer set of search results that help you understand the world around you and take action. Since people searches are the second most searched for category, after navigational queries, and represent roughly 10 percent of all searches on Bing, we’re constantly looking for ways to make it easier for you to find the person you’re looking for. Today, we are releasing a faster way to find people right from the search... Read More
May

10

20 13

Take the Bing it On Challenge at a Microsoft...

In search we know that people prefer Bing over Google for the web’s top searches* yet many people still use Google out of habit so on Monday we rolled out the next wave of the Bing it On Challenge. The challenge is simple – search for five queries of your choice and compare the unbranded web search results from Bing and Google side-by-side. For each search result, you pick a winner or declare it a “draw”, and at the end of the five searches we show you the winning search engine. With the newest version of the Challenge site, in addition to search results, you’ll get to learn about a new homepage every day, rollover video preview and instant translation all on the same site – some of our unique features that give you even more reasons to fall in love with Bing. In conjunction with the new site, we are also taking the challenge on the road. Starting today through June 30, you can come take the Bing It On challenge and receive a voucher for $25 off a purchase of $75 or more**. Microsoft stores are a great place to buy Microsoft products like Surface, Xbox, Windows Phone and more. Find out if you have a Microsoft store near you by visiting www... Read More In search we know that people prefer Bing over Google for the web’s top searches* yet many people still use Google out of habit so on Monday we rolled out the next wave of the Bing it On Challenge. The challenge is simple – search for five queries of your choice and compare the unbranded web search results from Bing and Google side-by-side. For each search result, you pick a winner or declare it a “draw”, and at the end of the five searches we show you the winning search engine. With the newest version of the Challenge site, in addition to search results, you’ll get... Read More
May

10

20 13

Comment and Like Stuff on Facebook Directly...

According to Facebook, the average person between the ages of 18-24 in the US has over 400 friends . If you’re like us, it’s hard to keep up with what friends are posting on an ongoing basis, and harder still to search and find specific topics that your friends may have posted about. By bringing together Bing and Facebook, you have an easy way to complement your search with helpful, interesting or insightful content your friends have shared. Following the introduction of social sidebar last year, we’ve been exploring ways to make it even more useful. Starting today, you will see comments on a relevant Facebook post within sidebar, as well as the ability add your own, all without having to leave Bing. You can also “Like” a post directly from Bing. Now you can see what your friends might know about what you’re searching for and engage with them directly without leaving the search page. How does it work? Let’s say I’m searching for Beyoncé tickets because I know she is coming to town soon. I can see that my friend has recently posted that she has an extra ticket to the show. Now without leaving the Bing results page, I comment... Read More According to Facebook, the average person between the ages of 18-24 in the US has over 400 friends . If you’re like us, it’s hard to keep up with what friends are posting on an ongoing basis, and harder still to search and find specific topics that your friends may have posted about. By bringing together Bing and Facebook, you have an easy way to complement your search with helpful, interesting or insightful content your friends have shared. Following the introduction of social sidebar last year, we’ve been exploring ways to make it even more useful. Starting today, you will... Read More
May

08

20 13

Bing It On Hits the Katie Couric Show and...

Kicking off today, Bing has sponsored the concert series on Katie Couric's daytime talk show "Katie." With performances by the legendary Rod Stewart, the innovative will.i.am, and the newly branded Snoop Lion, the Bing It On Challenge will be featured prominently on "Katie" broadcasts for the rest of the week. As Katie lived it up on her recent stint filming out of the Jimmy Kimmel studio in Hollywood, Bing was there to see it live and to hit the famed Hollywood Boulevard to challenge passersby to Bing It On. Check out what happened here: Tune in to watch "Katie" (check local listings or the station finder: http://ktie.tv/NviENk ) this week for some terrific performances and guest interviews. - The Bing Team Read More Kicking off today, Bing has sponsored the concert series on Katie Couric's daytime talk show "Katie." With performances by the legendary Rod Stewart, the innovative will.i.am, and the newly branded Snoop Lion, the Bing It On Challenge will be featured prominently on "Katie" broadcasts for the rest of the week. As Katie lived it up on her recent stint filming out of the Jimmy Kimmel studio in Hollywood, Bing was there to see it live and to hit the famed Hollywood Boulevard to challenge passersby to Bing It On. Check out what happened here: Tune in to watch "Katie" (check local listings... Read More
May

08

20 13

DIY Expert and Founder of Hostess with...

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and we’re ready to celebrate. Party planning and DIY expert Jenn Sbranti of Hostess with the Mostess will cohost this week’s #BingIt chat on Friday May 10 th with our friends at Mom Central. We’ll help you create the perfect DIY gift, make sure mom know just how much you love her, and discuss party planning tips to make the day extra special. Jennifer Sbranti is the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Hostess with the Mostess (HWTM), a hip and modern party planning resource, where she Sbranti shares her contemporary style and no-fuss approach to entertaining with others. Her ideas have been featured in media outlets such as People, InStyle Weddings, Life&Style, Pregnancy, and Extra! TV. To participate in the chat follow @Bing, @HWTM_Jenn and @MomCentral on Friday, May 10 from 3-4 p.m. PT and include the hashtag #BingIt in your tweets. -The Bing Team @Bing Read More Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and we’re ready to celebrate. Party planning and DIY expert Jenn Sbranti of Hostess with the Mostess will cohost this week’s #BingIt chat on Friday May 10 th with our friends at Mom Central. We’ll help you create the perfect DIY gift, make sure mom know just how much you love her, and discuss party planning tips to make the day extra special. Jennifer Sbranti is the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Hostess with the Mostess (HWTM), a hip and modern party planning resource, where she Sbranti shares her contemporary style and no... Read More
May

07

20 13

Watch Before You Click: Smart Motion Preview

Ever clicked on a video link only to discover that video wasn’t what you were looking for? We have. That’s why we introduced Smart Motion Preview which allows you to preview a video before travelling to the site. How does it work? Smart Motion Previews give you the equivalent of a movie trailer for video results. When we crawl videos, we create short previews (never more than 30 seconds, made up of a few very short clips) that reflect what our video crawling technology thinks are the most relevant parts. We look at the audio levels for instance to see a big play in a sports video (based on the applause from a monster dunk, for example). What’s cool about the technology is that it helps you decide if it is a video you want to go watch. This makes it easier to sort through the clutter of all those results and help you get to what you are looking for. It’s also something you will not find with the other guys. Check out this video highlighting Smart Motion Preview: <a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/browse?mkt=en-us&amp;vid=f9a2db8b-f431-45a9-83d9-1a4561fafe36&amp;src=v5:embed:syndication:&amp;from=shareembed-syndication... Read More Ever clicked on a video link only to discover that video wasn’t what you were looking for? We have. That’s why we introduced Smart Motion Preview which allows you to preview a video before travelling to the site. How does it work? Smart Motion Previews give you the equivalent of a movie trailer for video results. When we crawl videos, we create short previews (never more than 30 seconds, made up of a few very short clips) that reflect what our video crawling technology thinks are the most relevant parts. We look at the audio levels for instance to see a big play in a sports video... Read More
May

06

20 13

Calling All Basketball Fans!

Do you dream of being on the court at a pro game? Are you a HUGE Miami Heat fan? Longing to meet a Heat legend? Then this sweepstakes is for you! Bing teamed up with the Miami Heat to bring our fans the opportunity to win an exclusive VIP Playoff Experience. Here’s what you could win: Two lower level tickets to an third round playoff game. Opportunity to be on-court to present the Official Game Ball to the referees on the court prior to tipoff. A pre-game meet and greet with a Heat Legend. A basketball autographed by the Miami Heat team. To enter via Twitter, click here and retweet the tweet. You can check out the rules below. Good luck! - The Bing Team Bing ULTIMATE HEAT EXPERIENCE SWEEPSTAKES OFFICIAL RULES NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. SWEEPSTAKES IS OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL U.S. RESIDENTS WHO ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE AT TIME OF ENTRY. SWEEPSTAKES BEGINS ON MAY 1, 2013 AND ENDS ON THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF ROUND TWO OF THE 2013 NBA PLAYOFFS. 1. HERE’S HOW TO ENTER: Beginning at 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time (“ET”) on 5/3/13, visit www.facebook.com/MiamiHEAT , submit... Read More Do you dream of being on the court at a pro game? Are you a HUGE Miami Heat fan? Longing to meet a Heat legend? Then this sweepstakes is for you! Bing teamed up with the Miami Heat to bring our fans the opportunity to win an exclusive VIP Playoff Experience. Here’s what you could win: Two lower level tickets to an third round playoff game. Opportunity to be on-court to present the Official Game Ball to the referees on the court prior to tipoff. A pre-game meet and greet with a Heat Legend. A basketball autographed by the Miami Heat team. To enter via Twitter, click... Read More
May

06

20 13

Try it, You’ll Like it! Bing Challenges...

Change can be hard, even uncomfortable, but according to a recent Bing survey*, 93 percent of people say they are open to trying new things, while 45 percent say it can even be a refreshing experience. Are you ready for something new? With summer right around the corner, now is the perfect time to mix up your routine and try something new. Step out of the box and join the nearly 25 million others who in the last nine months have visited the Bing It On challenge site. In search we know that people prefer Bing over Google for the web’s top searches** yet many people still use Google out of habit. By taking the challenge, you just might find that you prefer Bing and can break your old habit for good. Today, we’re excited to announce the next wave of the Bing It On Challenge. The challenge is simple – search for five queries of your choice and compare the unbranded web search results from Bing and Google side-by-side. For each search result, you pick a winner or declare it a “draw”, and at the end of the five searches we show you the winning search engine. With the newest version of the Challenge site, in addition to search results, you’ll get to learn... Read More Change can be hard, even uncomfortable, but according to a recent Bing survey*, 93 percent of people say they are open to trying new things, while 45 percent say it can even be a refreshing experience. Are you ready for something new? With summer right around the corner, now is the perfect time to mix up your routine and try something new. Step out of the box and join the nearly 25 million others who in the last nine months have visited the Bing It On challenge site. In search we know that people prefer Bing over Google for the web’s top searches** yet many people still use Google out of... Read More