Microsoft Bing, originally launched in 2009, is a robust web search engine developed and operated by Microsoft AI, serving as a primary competitor to other market-dominant search platforms. Tracing its roots back through earlier Microsoft search efforts like MSN Search and Windows Live Search, Bing was conceptualised not just as a typical search engine, but as a “decision engine,” designed to provide users with more comprehensive and contextually rich information directly on the results page to aid in quicker, better-informed decisions.
This focus on utility is evident in its long-standing innovative features, such as the daily changing homepage image, advanced media searches for images and videos with customizable filters, and the inclusion of suggested and related searches to help users deepen their exploration. Bing is also deeply integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem, powering search for platforms like Yahoo! and AOL, and allowing webmasters to manage their sites via the Bing Webmaster Center.
This AI-powered evolution is arguably the biggest leap in the search engine’s history, positioning it as an “AI copilot for the web.” The new architecture incorporates a proprietary Microsoft Prometheus model alongside the OpenAI technology, significantly enhancing the core search algorithm’s relevance and accuracy.
The most striking new feature is Copilot Search, which provides users with quick, summarized answers from across the web, complete with cited sources, eliminating the need to scroll through multiple links for complex queries. For more involved tasks, Bing offers an interactive chat experience, allowing users to refine their searches, plan detailed itineraries, or even generate creative content like emails and quizzes, all within the search interface.
This fusion of traditional web crawling, indexing, and cutting-edge generative AI aims to make the search experience more engaging, complete, and action-oriented, solidifying Bing’s role as a powerful, intelligent assistant in navigating the vast expanse of the internet. The service continues to expand its offerings, including tools like Bing Image Creator and Bing Video Creator, leveraging the power of AI to bring users’ ideas to life directly from the search bar.