Bing vs Google in 2026: Is Bing Better? (Bing It On Challenge)

Is Bing better than Google? This guide to bing vs google looks back at Microsoft’s 2012 “Bing It On” blind challenge, explains what changed since, and shows how you can run your own fair side-by-side test in 2026 to decide which search engine suits you.

Quick answer: Google is still the most used search engine and is usually stronger for local results, fresh news and long-tail questions. Bing is a solid alternative with Microsoft Copilot built in, Microsoft Rewards points and good image and video search. The best way to decide is to run the same searches on both for a week and keep the one that answers you faster.

What Was the Bing It On Challenge?

In September 2012 Microsoft launched the Bing It On challenge. Microsoft said an independent study it commissioned found that people preferred Bing results nearly 2 to 1 over Google in blind tests, and it ran a publicity campaign to get users to try the test for themselves.

The idea was simple. You visited the Bing It On website and typed a search query. The site showed results from Bing and Google in two side-by-side columns with all branding removed, and you picked the set you liked best. After five searches it revealed which engine you had preferred.

I thought it was a good idea by Bing to take Google head-on and let users judge for themselves. The challenge was a marketing campaign of its time and is no longer an active promotion, but the idea behind it, a blind side-by-side test, is still the fairest way to compare search engines.

Bing vs Google in 2026: What Changed

Both search engines look very different from 2012. The biggest change is AI:

• Bing now has Microsoft Copilot built in, so you can switch from a normal results page to a chat-style answer with sources.
• Google shows AI Overviews at the top of many results and offers an AI Mode for longer, conversational searches.
• Bing results also power other search engines, including Yahoo Search, so you may already be using Bing without knowing it.
• Google remains the default search engine in most browsers and phones, which is the main reason it keeps its large lead in usage.

Where Google usually wins

• Local searches (shops, restaurants, opening hours) thanks to Google Maps and Business Profiles.
• Very fresh news and niche, long-tail questions.
• Deep integration with Gmail, YouTube, Android and Chrome.

Where Bing usually wins

• Microsoft Rewards points for searching, which can be redeemed for gift cards in supported countries.
• Image and video search with large previews.
• Copilot answers included free on the results page, and tight integration with Windows and Microsoft Edge.

How to Run Your Own Bing vs Google Test

1. Write down 10 searches you really do every week: a product, a how-to, a local place, a news topic and a few work questions.
2. Open Bing and Google in two private browser windows so your history does not shape the results.
3. Run each search on both and note which one answered you first without extra clicks.
4. Repeat for a few days, then set the winner as your default search engine. If Google wins in Microsoft Edge, see how to make Google the default search engine in Edge.

Bing for Webmasters

From a webmaster’s point of view, Bing matters too. Traffic from Bing is smaller, but it is often easy to win because fewer sites optimise for it. Add your site to Bing Webmaster Tools for free SEO reports, a site audit and fast URL submission. For the history of the search engine itself, read our look at the Bing search engine launch.

FAQ

Is Bing better than Google?

It depends on what you search for. Google is usually better for local and very fresh results, while Bing is a strong alternative with Copilot and Microsoft Rewards. Try both with your own searches.

Is the Bing It On challenge still available?

No. It was a 2012 marketing campaign and is no longer an active promotion. You can recreate it by comparing the same searches in two private windows.

Does Bing use Google results?

No. Bing has its own index. Some other search engines, such as Yahoo Search, use Bing results.

Should my website be on Bing?

Yes. Submitting your site to Bing Webmaster Tools is free and helps your pages appear in Bing and in the search engines that use Bing results.