Thursday, June 4, 2009 Do you Bing?
I use a Kleenex, not a tissue. I TiVo my favorite shows, I don’t DVR them (even though I stopped using TiVo two years ago). And I Google, I don’t search.
But Microsoft hopes I’ll soon be Binging.
As Microsoft officially launched its new Bing search site this week, the question on many marketers’ minds is, does it stand a chance of cutting into Google’s share of the search pie? In a recent New York Times article, reporter Miguel Helft writes about Microsoft’s marketing strategy to position Bing as the new Google. Industry reports estimate Microsoft will spend as much as $100 million to promote the new search site. It will be interesting to see the ROI on that investment.
Give it a try. Bing something today. Do you think Bing will be a search marketing game-changer? Let us know your thoughts.
articles, brand, digital, search marketing in Marketing 
Reader Comments (4)
How ironic. I just Googled the word "Bing" to find the new search engine. I think that answers that question!
Why switch from Google when it already does exactly what I need?
About 8 months ago, as part of my Hotmail account, Microsoft contacted me about using Microsoft Live as my search engine, they gave me 'credits' up to 25 a day for each search that I performed on the Microsoft Live site. At the end of the period (this past April) I could turn those points in for merchandise. I ended up receiving Zoo Tycoon 2 computer game, worth about 1800 points. I had points remaining and purchase some music downloads. I have not received either - yet. I thought it was a great marketing tool because 1. I don't care what search engine I use. 2. I received free merchandise. 3. I still used Microsoft Live until it changed to Bing - only because I never think to change it to anything else. I don't know that one works better than the other, I still get a bazillion hits no matter what search engine I use.
I’ve been Binging for about a month and I have to say, I like it. I agree with USA Today personal technology columnist Edward C. Baig’s latest article “Google vs. Bing: Bing holds its own in search-off.” He gives both search engines three and half stars out of four, and his pros and cons of each site are right on.
It still remains to be seen what kind of ROI Microsoft will see from the reported $100,000 million ad campaign to launch Bing. According to a recent article in BtoB magazine, Bing is gaining ground, albeit slowly.
I’ve switched my home page to Bing, and have come to look forward to new photos on the home page every day. If you haven’t seen them, check them out and be sure to read the pop-up factoids. Critics say they don’t turn to a search engine to find cool photos. Maybe, but search is also about finding information that you don’t already have. What better way to do that than by exploring the unknown? Even if it’s just for a few seconds as you look at a beautiful landscape with interesting factoids. After all, you never know where inspiration will come from.
Colleen