14 DAY TRIAL // Google is without a doubt the number one search engine on the planet, and statistics have shown that the vast majority of the netizens use it for their daily searches.
But at the same time, the competition in the search engine market isn’t necessarily getting fiercer, but it’s becoming more complex, as users are now provided with lots of alternatives, each of them with a different focus.
For example, DuckDuckGo is a search engine whose priority is user privacy, and this approach has made it particularly popular among those who believe that Google collects way too much data about what we do online these days.
Microsoft, on the other hand, built a search engine that was often considered the number one alternative to Google but which is now embracing its very own path too. And while it initially seemed like Microsoft investing in Bing is a waste of time and resources, everything is coming together quite nicely, showing that the Redmond-based software giant was planning in the long term.
First and foremost, Bing officially becomes Microsoft Bing, a rebranding that makes perfect sense given the search engine has become a stand-alone platform. This also shows that Bing has reached the point where it plays an essential role in the company’s long-term vision, as a similar rebranding process has also targeted other key products owned by Microsoft, including SwiftKey.
“Starting today, you will see a shift in product to Microsoft Bing, which reflects the continued integration of our search experiences across the Microsoft family,” Microsoft announced today.
But at the same time, the software giant also announced the thing that sets Bing apart from the rest of the crowd. The Give with Bing campaign, which allows users to donate points earned with Microsoft Rewards to charity, is getting a massive expansion.
“Beyond our commitment to expanding search scenarios, we also believe that you can and should get more value out of the searches you perform every day. That’s why we’re also excited to announce the expansion of Give with Bing, which helps you make a difference just by searching – no need to open your wallet!” Microsoft says.
Here’s how it works. Microsoft Rewards is a program that allows users to earn points for searching the web with Bing. These points can then be converted into valuable goods, like Microsoft Store credit, Xbox games, or other Microsoft products. But at the same time, these points can also be donated with nonprofits fighting for various causes as part of the Give with Bing campaign.
Microsoft says it has partnered with Janelle Monae and Jamal Adams for this expansion, and it’s also bringing the program to seven more markets in addition to the U.S., including the UK, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain.
More nonprofits are also included in the program.
“Beyond these partnerships, we’ve expanded the number of nonprofits on Give with Bing to include over 1.4 million organizations across the globe. And, through December 31, 2020, we will match the points you donate to organizations through Give with Bing to increase the impact of their work on urgent areas such as public health, social justice, and education. To date, our Give with Bing users have donated Microsoft Rewards points valued at over $1 million for these nonprofit organizations, and we are excited to see how much more money we can donate!” Microsoft says.
So essentially, if you use Bing, you help the world, and this is the message that Microsoft helps would drive more people to its search engine. Whether or not this is going to work is something that remains to be seen, but right now, Microsoft has embraced an approach that’s hard not to like.