Microsoft is hoping to close the gap on Google with a major refresh of its Bing search engine, making a huge investment in the entertainment area with the addition of gaming, music, and movies. This update aims to enhance user experience by integrating more interactive and engaging content directly into the search engine. Together with the addition of a ‘quicktabs’ bar just below the main search box, users can now access search-specific links more efficiently, streamlining their search process and making it easier to find exactly what they are looking for.
Enhanced Entertainment Features
Microsoft has added nearly 100 casual games that can be played directly from Bing. This move is designed to attract a broader audience, particularly those who enjoy casual gaming. These games range from puzzles and trivia to action and adventure, providing a diverse selection that caters to various interests. Additionally, Bing now offers a single play option for every song in their 5 million song catalog. Users can listen to a song once for free and then have the option to purchase and download the song directly from Bing. This seamless integration of music services aims to compete with other music streaming platforms and provide a one-stop-shop for users’ entertainment needs.
Moreover, the inclusion of movies and TV shows in the search results allows users to find information about their favorite films and series, watch trailers, and even find links to streaming services where they can watch the content. This comprehensive approach to entertainment makes Bing a more attractive option for users looking for more than just search results.
Gradual Rollout and Market Impact
The updates are currently implemented for a small set of users, so you might see the older interface for a few days as Bing rolls out the updates worldwide. This gradual rollout allows Microsoft to monitor user feedback and make any necessary adjustments before the features are available to all users. It also helps ensure that the new features are stable and perform well under varying conditions.
Hitwise has reported Google’s market share for the month of May 2010 at 72.17 percent, with Yahoo coming in second place with 14.43 percent. This indicates that Yahoo has been making some ground on Google in recent months. Bing, in third, took a 9.23 percent stake of Internet users’ queries. While these numbers show that Bing still has a long way to go before it can significantly challenge Google, the new updates could help attract more users and increase its market share.
The addition of entertainment features is a strategic move by Microsoft to differentiate Bing from other search engines. By offering unique content and services, Bing aims to create a more engaging and enjoyable user experience. This could potentially attract users who are looking for more than just search results and are interested in a more interactive and multimedia-rich experience.
Furthermore, the ‘quicktabs’ bar just below the main search box provides users with easy access to search-specific links, making it more convenient to find the information they need. This feature enhances the overall usability of Bing and could help retain users who might otherwise switch to another search engine.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s major refresh of the Bing search engine, with its focus on entertainment and improved usability, represents a significant step towards closing the gap on Google. While it remains to be seen how these updates will impact Bing’s market share in the long run, they certainly position Bing as a more attractive and versatile search engine option. By continually innovating and adding new features, Microsoft is demonstrating its commitment to improving Bing and providing users with a superior search experience.
Read the full blog post from Microsoft via the link below:
Via Bing Community
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