Microsoft has named it’s new search engine, Bing, as a “decision engine.” It’s planning name was Kumo.

It is supposed to integrate multiple services, like reviews, shopping, and videos into one result page. The interface changes in response to the search, and it gives the user many options. There are hot spots which reveal new facts, suggestions for refinining your search, and deep linking into sites for finding specific results.

According to wikipedia, notable changes include the addition of search suggestions as you type and related searches (called “Explorer pane” on the left side of search results), based on semantic technology from PowerSet which Microsoft purchased in 2008. Bing also includes the ability to Save & Share search histories via Windows Live SkyDrive, Facebook, and e-mail.

There are plenty of people that view this as direct competition to Google. Good luck Microsoft That’s a bit like calling Google Docs a direct competitor to Microsoft Word.

Bing also seems more like a search portal, which really makes is more of a competitor to Yahoo. Microsoft Live Search is currently a very distant third behind Google and Yahoo! in search. Maybe this is a response to Microsoft’s failed attempt at acquiring Yahoo?

Based on my stats, Microsoft has only about 3 - 5% of the Australian search market. Maybe bing will improve this? I don’t really know.

As with live.com, bing seems to put too much weight on the title tag and keywords in the domain. It’s also obvious that it uses the number of incoming links and the link anchor text as part of it’s search algorithm. I’ve only done a few tests and you may wish to do your own.

I really like the clean but stylish interface and will give it a trial for a week or so.

Interestingly, bing was launched without much fanfare in Australia. the first I noticed it was when I looked at some web stats and notice multiple bing entries. What the hell is bing I asked.

Bing was made available at www.bing.com on the June 3rd 2009. It replaced Microsoft Live Search. If you go to live.com.au you will end up at bing.com

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