Frühere Versionen von „So stellt Bing Suchergebnisse bereit“
So liefert Bing Suchergebnisse
Als Online-Suchmaschine besteht das Hauptziel von Bing darin, die Benutzer mit den relevantesten Suchergebnissen aus dem Internet zu verbinden und ihnen einen einfachen Zugang zu hochwertigen Inhalten zu bieten, die von Web-Publishern erstellt wurden. Zu diesem Zweck durchforstet Bing automatisch das Internet, um einen Index neuer und aktualisierter Seiten (oder URLs) zu erstellen, die als Suchergebnisse angezeigt werden, die für eine vom Benutzer initiierte Suche oder Aktion relevant sind. Der Inhalt dieser Seiten kann auf verschiedene Online-Ressourcen und Inhalte verweisen oder diese enthalten, darunter Websites, Bilder, Videos, Dokumente und andere Elemente. Die Suchergebnisse werden mit Hilfe von Computeralgorithmen generiert, die die von Ihnen eingegebenen Suchbegriffe mit den Ergebnissen in unserem Index abgleichen. Im Allgemeinen versuchen wir, eine möglichst umfassende und nützliche Sammlung von angezeigten Suchergebnissen anzubieten. Wir entwickeln und verbessern unsere Algorithmen ständig, um die relevantesten und nützlichsten Ergebnisse zu liefern.
Da es sich um einen algorithmusgesteuerten Dienst handelt, hat Bing keinen Einfluss auf den Betrieb oder das Design der indizierten Websites und auch keinen Einfluss darauf, was die indizierten Websites veröffentlichen. Solange eine Website weiterhin Informationen im Web und für Crawler zur Verfügung stellt, wird sie allgemein über Bing oder andere Suchmaschinen verfügbar sein.
Da es sich um einen algorithmusgesteuerten Dienst handelt, hat Bing keinen Einfluss auf den Betrieb oder das Design der indizierten Websites und auch keinen Einfluss darauf, was die indizierten Websites veröffentlichen. Solange eine Website weiterhin Informationen im Web und für Crawler zur Verfügung stellt, wird sie allgemein über Bing oder andere Suchmaschinen verfügbar sein.
- Tipp: Wenn Informationen bereits von der Website entfernt wurden, aber immer noch in den Bing-Suchergebnissen auftauchen, können Sie das Tool zum Entfernen von Inhalten verwenden, um eine Anfrage zum Entfernen von Seiten oder veralteten Caches zu stellen. Um mehr über das Tool zur Entfernung von Inhalten zu erfahren, gehen Sie zu Bing Webmaster Help and How-To
Microsoft respektiert das Recht auf freie Meinungsäußerung. Gleichzeitig hat Bing in Übereinstimmung mit den Microsoft-Richtlinien und -Prinzipien zu verantwortungsvoller KI, Datenschutz, digitaler Sicherheit, Informationsintegrität und anderen kritischen Themen ein Sicherheitssystem entwickelt, das die Filterung von Inhalten, die Überwachung des Betriebs und die Erkennung von Missbrauch umfasst, um unseren Benutzern ein sicheres Sucherlebnis zu bieten. Wenn Microsoft Anfragen zur Entfernung von Inhalten von Einzelpersonen, Unternehmen und Regierungen erhält, kann Bing in begrenzten Fällen, in denen Bedenken hinsichtlich Qualität, Sicherheit, Benutzernachfrage, einschlägigen Gesetzen und/oder der öffentlichen Ordnung bestehen, Ergebnisse entfernen, Benutzer über bestimmte Risiken informieren oder Benutzern Optionen zur Anpassung ihrer Inhalte anbieten. Bing beschränkt die Entfernung von Suchergebnissen auf eine begrenzte Anzahl von Umständen und Bedingungen, um den Zugang der Bing-Benutzer zu relevanten Informationen nicht einzuschränken.
Nachfolgend beschreiben wir, wie Bing dies tut und wann. Wenn Suchergebnisse entfernt werden, ist Bing bestrebt, die Entfernung transparent zu gestalten. Dazu gehört, dass wir die Benutzer über die Entfernung von Suchergebnissen unten auf der Seite informieren. Darüber hinaus veröffentlichen wir Informationen über Suchergebnisse, die von Bing entfernt wurden, im Rahmen des Microsoft Content Removal Requests Report.. - Rechtliche Anfragen von Regierungen, Einzelpersonen oder anderweitig Bestimmte Länder haben Gesetze oder Vorschriften, die für Suchdienstanbieter gelten und die Entfernung des Zugriffs auf bestimmte indizierte Seiten verlangen. Einige dieser Gesetze erlauben es bestimmten Einzelpersonen oder Einrichtungen, die Entfernung von Ergebnissen zu verlangen (z. B. bei Urheberrechtsverletzungen, Verleumdung, Diffamierung, personenbezogenen Daten, Hassreden oder anderen personenbezogenen Rechten), während andere von der Regierung verwaltet und durchgesetzt werden.
Wenn Microsoft eine Anfrage oder Forderung erhält, wägt Bing seine Unterstützung für die freie Meinungsäußerung und den freien Zugang zu relevanten Inhalten mit der Einhaltung der lokalen Gesetze ab. Wir prüfen und bewerten die Anfrage oder das Verlangen, einschließlich des Grundes und der Grundlage für die Anfrage oder das Verlangen, der Befugnisse oder Rechte der anfragenden Partei, unserer geltenden Richtlinien und unserer Verpflichtungen gegenüber unseren Benutzern in Bezug auf die freie Meinungsäußerung, und entscheiden, ob und in welchem Umfang wir den Zugang zu den Inhalten entfernen sollten. - Beispiele für rechtliche Anfragebereiche mit globalen Ansätzen Materialien zum sexuellen Missbrauch von Kindern Die Herstellung und Verbreitung von und der Zugang zu Materialien zum sexuellen Missbrauch von Kindern wird allgemein verurteilt und ist im Allgemeinen illegal. Leider ist der Missbrauch von Kindern nicht neu, aber das Internet bietet denjenigen, die Verbrechen an Kindern begehen, neue Möglichkeiten. Bing arbeitet mit anderen Technologie- und Industrieunternehmen, Strafverfolgungsbehörden sowie Regierungs- und Nichtregierungsorganisationen zusammen, um die Verbreitung dieser schrecklichen Inhalte im Internet zu verhindern. Eine Möglichkeit, dies zu tun, besteht darin, Seiten zu entfernen, die von glaubwürdigen Agenturen überprüft (oder über Microsoft PhotoDNA identifiziert) wurden und die nachweislich die sexuelle Ausbeutung oder den Missbrauch von Kindern enthalten oder sich darauf beziehen. Bing verwendet PhotoDNA auch, um Bilder, die von Benutzern in der visuellen Suchfunktion hochgeladen wurden, auf potenzielle Ausbeutungs- und Missbrauchsbilder zu überprüfen. Die Benutzeraktivität in Bing unterliegt dem Microsoft-Servicevertrag. Insbesondere entfernen wir Seiten aus unserem Index, die von der Internet Watch Foundation (Vereinigtes Königreich), NCMEC (USA) und FSM (Deutschland) als nach deren gutgläubigem Urteil Hosting oder Anbieter von Zugang zu Material über sexuellen Kindesmissbrauch identifiziert wurden. Die Entfernung dieser Links aus den angezeigten Suchergebnissen verhindert nicht, dass das Material im Internet zugänglich ist oder über andere Wege als Bing entdeckt wird, aber es schränkt die Möglichkeiten derjenigen ein, die danach suchen oder davon profitieren wollen.
- Urheberrechtsverletzungen Bing fördert die Achtung des geistigen Eigentums, einschließlich der Urheberrechte, und erkennt gleichzeitig die Rechte der Benutzer an, die nach den geltenden Urheberrechtsgesetzen zulässig sein können. Bing kann Links zu Webseiten, die Material enthalten, das die Rechte des Eigentümers urheberrechtlich geschützter Inhalte verletzt, aus seinen Suchergebnissen entfernen, sofern wir eine rechtlich ausreichende Mitteilung über eine Urheberrechtsverletzung vom Urheberrechtsinhaber oder seinem bevollmächtigten Vertreter erhalten.
Wenn Sie ein Rechteinhaber sind und Bedenken bezüglich des geistigen Eigentums einer Website haben, auf die Bing verlinkt, oder einer Bing-Anzeige, besuchen Sie bitte unsere Report Infringement page. - Qualität, Sicherheit und Benutzerwünsche Unter bestimmten Umständen, die die Qualität, Sicherheit und die Wünsche unserer Benutzer betreffen, kann Bing beschließen, bestimmte Ergebnisse zu entfernen, oder wir können Benutzer warnen oder aufklären oder Optionen zur Anpassung der Ergebnisse anbieten.
- Beispiele für Qualität, Sicherheit und Benutzernachfrage Spam Einige im Bing-Index erfasste Seiten erweisen sich als Seiten von geringem oder gar keinem Wert für die Benutzer und können auch Merkmale aufweisen, die die Funktionsweise von Such- und Werbesystemen künstlich manipulieren, um ihre Relevanz im Vergleich zu Seiten zu verzerren, die relevantere Informationen bieten. Einige dieser Seiten enthalten nur Werbung und/oder Links zu anderen Websites, die hauptsächlich Werbung und keine oder nur oberflächliche, für das Thema der Suche relevante Inhalte enthalten. Um das Sucherlebnis für Benutzer zu verbessern und relevantere Inhalte zu liefern, könnte Bing solche Suchergebnisse entfernen oder die Bing-Algorithmen so anpassen, dass nützlichere und relevantere Seiten in den Suchergebnissen bevorzugt werden.
- Sensible personenbezogene Informationen, einschließlich der nicht einvernehmlichen Verbreitung intimer Bilder Von Zeit zu Zeit enthalten öffentlich zugängliche Webseiten absichtlich oder versehentlich sensible personenbezogene Informationen, die ohne die Zustimmung der identifizierten Person oder unter Umständen veröffentlicht werden, die Sicherheits- oder Datenschutzrisiken darstellen. Beispiele hierfür sind die versehentliche Veröffentlichung privater Aufzeichnungen, privater Telefonnummern, Identifikationsnummern und dergleichen oder die absichtliche und böswillige Veröffentlichung von E-Mail-Passwörtern, Anmeldedaten, Kreditkartennummern oder anderen Daten, die für Betrug oder Hackerangriffe verwendet werden sollen. Nach einer Überprüfung wird Bing solche Suchergebnisse entfernen.
Ein weiteres Beispiel ist, wenn jemand Bilder von einer anderen Person ohne deren Zustimmung online stellt. Kulturell gesehen ist dies ein grober Eingriff in die Privatsphäre und wird gemeinhin als nicht-einvernehmliche intime Bilder oder „Racheporno“ bezeichnet. Um den Opfern zu helfen, die Kontrolle über ihre Bilder und ihre Privatsphäre zurückzugewinnen, kann Bing nach einer Überprüfung Links zu Racheporno-Fotos und -Videos aus den Suchergebnissen entfernen. Um nicht autorisierte Online-Fotos und -Videos zu melden, sollten Opfer ein Formular auf unserer Berichts-Webseite ausfüllen.
Wie in dem Formular vermerkt, bleiben die Informationen im Internet verfügbar, auch wenn Bing ein relevantes Suchergebnis entfernt hat. Der Eigentümer der Website ist am besten in der Lage, Bedenken bezüglich des Datenschutzes für die von ihm veröffentlichten Informationen auszuräumen. Die Opfer müssen sich mit den Eigentümern dieser Websites in Verbindung setzen, um die Inhalte aus dem Internet zu entfernen. - Erwachsene Inhalte Bing bietet SafeSearch-Einstellungen, mit denen die meisten Benutzer die Art der Filterung von nicht jugendfreien Inhalten einstellen können, die sie auf ihre Suchergebnisse anwenden möchten. Bing möchte vermeiden, dass Inhalte, die anstößig oder schädlich sein können, angezeigt werden, obwohl sie nicht angefordert wurden. Standardmäßig ist SafeSearch in den meisten Ländern oder Regionen auf Moderat eingestellt, was visuell explizite Suchergebnisse einschränkt, nicht aber expliziten Text.
In verschiedenen Ländern oder Regionen gelten möglicherweise unterschiedliche lokale Bräuche, religiöse oder kulturelle Normen oder lokale Gesetze in Bezug auf die Anzeige von Inhalten für Erwachsene (oder Suchergebnissen, die auf Inhalte für Erwachsene zugreifen). Dies kann die SafeSearch-Standardeinstellungen für Bing in einigen Ländern beeinflussen. Wir bemühen uns, diese Einstellungen neu zu bewerten, wenn sich die entsprechenden lokalen Gesetze, Bräuche und Normen weiterentwickeln. - Öffentliche Bekanntmachungen und Warnungen Wenn Microsoft Bing feststellt, dass ein erhebliches Risiko besteht, dass der Inhalt, der bei bestimmten Suchanfragen in den Suchergebnissen erscheint, den Benutzern Schaden zufügt, kann Microsoft Bing öffentliche Bekanntmachungen (PSA) anzeigen, um den Benutzern zu helfen, fundierte Entscheidungen zu treffen. So bietet Bing beispielsweise Links zu Ressourcen zur Selbstmordprävention, wenn die Suchanfrage eines Benutzers eine mögliche Selbstmordabsicht zum Ausdruck bringt. Microsoft Bing zeigt auch Warnhinweise zu bestimmten URLs in den Suchergebnissen an, wenn es über zuverlässige Informationen verfügt, dass der Link möglicherweise schädliche oder illegale Inhalte enthält. Solche Warnhinweise erscheinen bei Links zu Websites, die nach Einschätzung von Microsoft Bing schädliche Malware enthalten, die den Computer eines Benutzers beschädigen könnte. Microsoft Bing warnt Benutzer in den Vereinigten Staaten außerdem vor Links, die von der National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) als „Nicht empfohlene Seite“ gekennzeichnet sind.
- Autosuggest und verwandte Vorschläge Autosuggest und verwandte Vorschläge („AS/RS“) sind Vorschläge für Suchanfragen, die von Bing bereitgestellt werden, entweder auf der Grundlage der ersten Zeichen, die Sie in das Suchfeld eingeben, oder auf der Grundlage der zuletzt durchgeführten Suche. AS/RS-Vorschläge werden algorithmisch generiert und basieren auf der Popularität anderer verwandter Suchanfragen auf Bing. Die Vorschläge können auch Relevanzsignale berücksichtigen, einschließlich Suchverlauf, Trends, Standort, Sprache usw. Bings AS/RS verwendet auch eine Technologie zur Generierung natürlicher Sprache, die auf Abfragen trainiert wurde.
Bing versucht zu verhindern, dass unangemessene, beleidigende oder schädliche Vorhersagen in AS/RS erscheinen, indem es eine Kombination aus proaktiven und reaktiven algorithmischen und manuellen Eingriffen einsetzt. Das Grundprinzip von Bing ist es, Benutzer nicht zu potenziell schädlichen oder anstößigen Inhalten zu führen. Die Entfernung von AS/RS, die Benutzer zu schädlichen Inhalten führen könnten, nach denen sie nicht ausdrücklich gesucht haben, trägt dazu bei, dass Bing seine Prinzipien einhält. - Bing Konversationssuche und Image Creator Die Bing Konversationssuche baut auf der bestehenden Bing-Erfahrung auf und bietet den Benutzern eine neue Art von Suchoberfläche. Für Inhalte, die in der Konversationssuche und ähnlichen Funktionen erscheinen, gelten die gleichen Grundsätze wie an anderer Stelle in diesem Dokument beschrieben. Gegebenenfalls kann Bing Inhalte in der Konversationssuche entfernen, die gegen geltende Gesetze oder Microsoft-Richtlinien verstoßen. Die Konversationssuche sowie der Bing Image Creator unterliegen der Inhaltsrichtlinie, die für Bing-Benutzer gilt. In bestimmten Fällen kann Bing den Zugang für Benutzer einschränken, die schwerwiegend oder wiederholt gegen die Inhaltsrichtlinie verstoßen. Benutzer können problematische Inhalte, die in der Konversationssuche und im Image Creator erscheinen, melden, indem sie ein Feedback senden oder ein Problem melden.
- Entfernen von zwischengespeicherten Seiten aus Bing
Antrag auf Entfernung von Inhalten aus Bing stellen
Melden Sie nicht jugendfreie oder anstößige Inhalte
Blockieren Sie nicht jugendfreie Inhalte mit SafeSearch
Our Approach to Search
We recognize that in our technology-driven world, search engines are in many ways the gateway to the internet and the primary way people find the content they are looking for amongst the trillions of ever-changing webpages available online. Search engines like Bing play a vital role in upholding the fundamental right to free and open access to information and free expression, and we thrive to help users find the most useful and relevant information that they seek. At the same time, we recognize that we must often balance the right to access information against other key rights and interests, such as user privacy or safety. To help guide how we determine what pages should be provided in response to search queries, we rely on the following principles:
- We provide credible and authoritative results relevant to user queries.
- We provide the highest quality, authoritative content relevant to users' search terms.
- Our goal is to always provide fair, balanced, and comprehensive content. When there are multiple credible perspectives, we try to display them in informative ways. When there is no authoritative source, our goal is to avoid promoting bias or potentially misleading information.
- We respect user intent. When a user expresses a clear intent to access specific information, we provide relevant results even if they are less credible, while (as described in more detail below) working to ensure that users are not misled by such search results.
- We promote free and open access to information within the bounds of the law and with respect for local law and other fundamental rights, such as privacy and public safety.
- We provide open access to as much of the web as possible, but in limited cases we may undertake certain interventions (such as removal of a website or downranking) such as where the content violates local law, or Microsoft's policies or core values.
- When limiting access to content, we strive to ensure our actions are narrowly tailored, so we do not unduly restrict important interests such as the freedom of expression, open access to information, and media pluralism, and we provide transparency regarding our actions
- We take steps to protect users from harmful and unexpected offensive content.
- We recognize that there are many reasons why someone may want to research or review harmful or controversial content, but also recognize the importance of ensuring users are not inadvertently misled by such content.
- For certain types of content where we identified search results may include harmful or misleading information, we may provide supplemental information, such as warnings and public service announcements, to inform users about potential risks. We give users control over the type of content they encounter in Bing through features such as SafeSearch and Family Safety.
- Absent a clear intent to access specific content we assume an intent to find high authority results.
- We are transparent about our principles and practices, as well as our decisions and actions.
- We provide users with information about our principles regarding ranking and relevance, and our moderation policies.
- When we limit access to content, where relevant we provide notice to users that content was removed.
- We publish regular transparency reports providing information about the complaints we receive and the actions taken.
- Tip: If information has already been removed from the website but is still showing up in Bing search results, you can use the Content Removal Tool to submit a page removal or outdated cache removal request. To learn more about the Content Removal Tool, go to Bing Webmaster Help & How-To.
The Basics of Search
- Returning search results is no easy feat, and involves complex, near-instantaneous algorithmic calculations. A search for something as simple as "cat" could yield over 55 million results. So how do we choose which results to show first? We start by crawling the web and building an index of available web pages. Then we use algorithms to rank and optimize that content so we can give users the best, highest quality search results available.
- More details on each of these steps are below.
- How Bing Crawls the Web
- The first step in building search is figuring out which pages exist on the internet in order to index them - commonly called crawling. At Bing, we affectionately call our crawler "Bingbot." Crawling is how Bingbot discovers new and updated pages and content to add to our search index. Bingbot uses an algorithm to decide what to crawl and how often, working to minimize its impact on websites. We are all about efficiency, even as we crawl billions of URLs every day. We prioritize relevant known pages that aren't indexed yet and ones we think have been updated to help deliver the freshest results.
- How Bing Builds an Index
- As Bingbot crawls the web, it sends information to Bing about what it finds. These pages are then added to the Bing index and algorithms are used to analyze the pages so we can effectively include them in search results, including determining which sites, news articles, images, or videos will be included in the index and available when users search for specific keywords. Learn more about how Bing finds and indexes pages here
- How Bing Ranks Search Results
- Complex algorithms generate Microsoft Bing search results using the user's search query matching it with third-party webpages in our index. Bing designs and continually improves its algorithms to provide the most comprehensive, relevant, and valuable collection of search results available.
- Given the scale of the internet and the complexity of operating a search engine, Bing relies on machine learning to ensure users see the best results for their query out of the trillions of pages of content on the web. Machine learning is the science of getting computers to act without being explicitly programmed by identifying patterns in data and generalizing based on a small set of examples. For web ranking, this means building a model that will look at some ideal results to learn which features are most predictive of their usefulness, relying on automated signals like user interactions with the Bing website, and training data labeled by human judges and/or via AI systems with human oversight. Bing guides its judges to make sure their evaluations align with Bing's ranking goals and engages in ongoing monitoring and oversight of its ranking systems and adjusts its practices as needed to make sure search results remain aligned with Bing's principles.
- Main parameters of ranking
- Below is a high-level overview of the main parameters Bing uses to rank pages in search results. These parameters are listed in general order of importance. Bing's complex systems use these criteria to deliver search results. The relative importance of each of the parameters below may vary from search to search and evolve over time.
- Relevance: Relevance refers to how closely the content on the landing page matches a user's intent behind a search query. This includes matching terms directly on the page and phrases used in links referring to the page. Bing also considers semantic equivalents, including synonyms or abbreviations, which may not be exact matches of the query terms but are understood to have the same meaning. Many queries may have more than one possible intent. Bing tries to provide a comprehensive set of results that reflect all possible intents, but Bing presumes the user seeks high-quality, authoritative content unless the user clearly indicates an intent to research low-quality content.
- Quality and Credibility: Determining the quality and credibility (QC) of a website includes evaluating the clarity of purpose of the site, its usability, and presentation. QC also consists of an evaluation of the page's "authority", which includes factors such as:
- Reputation: What types of other websites link to the site? A well-known news site is considered to have a higher reputation than a brand-new blog.
- Level of discourse: Is the purpose of the content solely to cause harm to individuals or groups of people? For example, a site that promotes violence or resorts to name-calling or bullying will be considered to have a low level of discourse, and therefore lower authority, than a balanced news article.
- Level of distortion: How well does the site differentiate fact from opinion? A site that is clearly labeled as satire or parody will have more authority than one that tries to obscure its intent.
- Origination and transparency of the ownership: Is the site reporting first-hand information, or does it summarize or republish content from others? If the site doesn't publish original content, do they attribute the source? A first-hand account published on a personal blog could have more authority than unsourced content.
- User engagement: Bing also considers how users interact with search results. To determine user engagement, Bing asks questions like: Did users click through to search results for a given query, and if so, which results? Did users spend time on these search results they clicked through or quickly return to Bing? Did the user adjust or reformulate their query? For webmasters, the Bing Webmaster Dashboard provides insights into how users interact with their webpages.
- Freshness: Generally, Bing prefers fresh content. A page that consistently provides up-to-date information is considered fresh. In many cases, content produced today will still be relevant years from now. In some cases, however, content produced today will go out of date quickly.
- Location and Language: In ranking results, Bing considers the user's location (country and city), where the page is hosted, the language of the page, and the location of other visitors to the page.
- Page load time: Slow page load times can lead a visitor to leave a website, potentially before the content has even loaded, to seek information elsewhere. In most cases Bing will consider this a poor user experience and a less helpful search result.
- Use of personal data
- Bing uses information specific to an individual user to improve relevance and performance. This information includes search history, location, language, device characteristics such as operating system or browser, and whether a user is on a mobile device, tablet, or desktop. Users can update their location, language, and other settings via Bing Settings, and delete search history on the Privacy Dashboard.
- Paid content and Microsoft-promoted content
- Websites may choose to advertise on Bing through Microsoft Advertising; paid advertisements that appear in search results are labeled as such. Bing does not allow websites to improve their organic ranking positions (the "blue links") through payment. Learn more about how paid search ads are ranked within advertising search results.
- Bing does not prioritize Microsoft products or services over third-party products and services in algorithmic search results. Outside of organic search results, Bing will sometimes provide a standalone answer box or banner promoting a Microsoft product or service when relevant to the search term provided.
- Nature of businesses
- The characteristics of the goods or services offered on a site do not affect how Bing ranks results, except in cases where the content is potentially offensive or harmful to a user. For example, pages offering adult content are not available when users set SafeSearch to "Strict" mode. As another example, pages promoting potentially harmful content, such as where a site promotes methods of suicide or purports to sell opioids or other potentially harmful drugs, would be considered low authority content.
Enhanced Search Experiences
- In addition to core algorithmic search functions, Bing provides users with additional features to help provide additional context and information and enhance the search experience. For example, if users want to know which team won last night's game, when users search on Bing for a team name, they are likely to see the final score and a recap at the top of the page, a snapshot with more info about the team, news, videos, and related searches along with the most relevant search results. To help users find what they are looking for more easily, we also let users narrow their search results with categories like images, videos, news, and shopping. These features also rely on the ranking principles and main parameters described above, but in some cases take additional considerations into account to provide users with the highest quality, most relevant results available. In some cases, Bing may determine that a particular search query is not well suited for these enhanced search features, but will always make sure users can find relevant information in the blue links. More details on these features are below.
- Answers
- "Answers" are how Bing describes the enhanced search results provided often at the top or side of search results that provide richer content in response to a user's query, often with a direct answer to the question asked, or with additional related resources. For example, if a user types "How tall is the Eiffel Tower?" Bing will respond with the answer of "330 m" to enable users to quickly find the information they need, along with a sidebar pane with more information about the Eiffel Tower, including interesting facts about when it was built, where it is located, and other details. For these queries, Bing looks at search results across the web, returns a summarized answer, and links to its sources. Some of these answers may be powered by generative AI to provide an even richer experience, linking to key sources.
- If the query is related to a business, Bing may return relevant information about the business, such as store hours and location. Business owners can claim and verify existing listings on Bing using Bing Places for Business (available in limited markets) to create, edit or update their listing information. In some cases, Bing may partner with third-party content providers, such as local restaurant review sites, to further enhance the user experience.
- Generative AI Features
- Bing's generative AI features include the new Bing conversational experiences and the Bing Image Creator. The conversational experiences build on the existing Bing experience to provide users with a new type of natural language search interface, built on "large language model" technology. The sources the chat response uses to form its answer are derived from the same ranking of third-party search results as the main web search results page. These results are displayed clearly to the user giving them the opportunity to dive deeper by visiting the 3rd party site. Based on the user query or prompt, the model may also produce output that helps inspire the user's creativity. The output can serve as the inspiration for a poem, a story, code, an essay, a song, or anything else that can be expressed in natural language or in an image, depending on the nature of a user's request.
- Bing's generative AI features were developed with responsible AI in mind. Please see The new Bing: Our Approach to Responsible AI for more detail. User activity in these features is governed by the service's Terms of Use and Code of Conduct.
- Image and Video Experiences
- Bing's image and video experiences provide the user with image and video results relevant to their search queries, which can appear in the image and video verticals, as well as on the main search results page where image or video content is relevant to the user's query. Ranking within the image and video experiences generally relies on the same parameters as the main web search results page, i.e., relevance, quality, freshness, authority, and popularity. When a user first lands on the image or video experience homepages, prior to entering a query, the homepage will show recommended content based on prior interactions with the site, like the user's search history, engagement with image results, saved images, and, where a user allows it, Edge browsing history. Users can control this experience by deleting data used to influence personalization from their Privacy Dashboard, leveraging the consent for Microsoft Edge browsing activity for personalized advertising and experiences or, if they are not logged in, starting a new session. In some markets, Bing also offers a feature called Bing Saves that allows authenticated users to maintain collections of relevant image links. User activity in Bing Saves is governed by the Microsoft Services Agreement and Code of Conduct.
- Maps
- In the Bing Maps experience, or on the main search results page where the query indicates a location intent, users can type queries into the search bar, and the map will display a list of locations in that vicinity responsive to that search or pinpoint a particular address. Bing Maps relies on licensed and publicly available location data and uses the same ranking parameters as outlined above. Businesses can improve the accuracy of Bing Maps results by registering with Bing Places and providing up to date information for Bing users on information relevant to that business, such as location, contact information, and hours.
- News
- Bing has a dedicated news home page called Bing News, which curates news content for Bing users. Where relevant, Bing may also display a news-focused answer box on the main search results page pulling from the Bing News content. While Bing News relies on the same main parameters for ranking results as Bing, content that appears in Bing news search results must meet specific Bing News Publisher Guidelines, described in detail in the Bing News Publication Hub. Websites interested in being included in the Bing News index may apply through PubHub. When the same article is available both on a third-party website and on MSN.com or Microsoft Start (as Microsoft licensed content), Bing News search results may display the Microsoft Start version of that content. This enables a more consistent, higher-quality user experience. Licensed Microsoft Start content appearing in Bing is marked by the label "powered by Microsoft Start."
- Shopping
- Bing Shopping is a search feature to help users discover products from multiple sellers on a single view by returning relevant shopping results from the web and from advertisers. In some cases, the shopping experience may use generative AI tools to provide better results for users. In some instances, Microsoft may receive compensation for users who click on algorithmically generated results, but such compensation has no effect on the ranking or relevance of algorithmically generated results shown to the user.
- Bing Shopping also may provide coupons relevant to the user's query, or where a user allows, based on prior engagement with Shopping experiences. In some instances, Microsoft may receive revenue for the use of the coupons and purchases through Bing Shopping, although whether a revenue share payment will be obtained is not factored into Bing's ranking of coupons shown to users.
- Users who allow Microsoft to collect and use personal data to personalize and advertise may see results in the Shopping vertical tailored to their interests; users can visit the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard or the Edge shopping toggle to opt-in or out of personalized ads and control the data that influences personalization.
- Safe Search
- Safety is always the top priority at Bing. We have a number of ways to help keep users safe, including always using a secure https web connection, notifying users if we think a site contains malware, letting users control what they see with SafeSearch, and by integrating with Windows Family Safety to help caregivers protect their children. Our SafeSearch feature helps keep adult content out of search results. Visit the SafeSearch setting to make changes to this experience.
- Suggestions
- Autosuggest and related suggestions ("suggestions") are query suggestions provided by Bing to help users use search and chat more conveniently. Autosuggest is a feature that helps users complete searches faster by predicting the search queries as users start to type in the query box. Related suggestions is a feature that shows topics that the users might be interested in next to search results (e.g., "People may also ask"). Bing similarly provides suggestions for conversation topics in its chat experiences.
- Suggestions are generated algorithmically and based on the popularity of related searches on Bing, along with other relevance signals such as search history, trends, location, and language. Bing's suggestions also use natural language generation technology trained on query sets to help predict a user's intended query.
Improving Search Results
- Research and Testing
- Before users ever see an improvement or new feature at Bing, we've been hard at work behind the scenes. Our researchers often recruit users to try out new features and give us their opinions. Once they're satisfied, we release the feature to a small set of real users to see how they interact with it. When it gets the green light, we release it to everyone. But it doesn't end there. After every feature is released, we regularly monitor usage and feedback to evaluate what's working and how we can improve.
- Feedback
- Your feedback helps make Bing better. At the bottom of every Bing page, you'll see a Feedback link. We don't require your name or other identifying information when you submit feedback. This information is shared with teams across Bing to improve your experience and search results. We try to read every piece of feedback you submit. Plus, we can't help but notice what users like and don't like about Bing as you use the site, such as which links you click on and which searches you have to revise to find what you are looking for, and we use that info when we are working on new or existing features.
Controls
- Bing Settings
- For many common search scenarios, such as looking for local businesses like restaurants, shops, or medical care, in order to provide useful search results, it is essential that Bing understands the user's language, location, and similar preferences. At the same time, Bing wants to make sure the user stays in control of their experience. Users can see what information Bing is using to provide relevant search results and make changes at any time in Bing Settings.
- For location, Bing will attempt to identify the area in which you are located using signals like your IP address but you also can update your preferred location at any time here. In some cases, like Maps, it may be important for Bing to understand more specifically where the user is located in order to provide location-dependent services like directions. Users can also control what specific location information is provided to Microsoft through in-product controls and their device's operating system.
- If you allow it, we use your search history to help improve results and provide more relevant search results. To control this information, see your Bing search history. [https://www.bing.com/profile/history]
- Users also can access and modify other relevant controls in the Bing Settings experience, such as SafeSearch settings, voice search controls, search suggestions, and personalization options.
- Microsoft Account
- Users logged in to their Microsoft Account also have more robust controls over their location history, search history, and other data collected by Microsoft, in the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard.
- Signing in with your Microsoft account is an easy way to manage your data and adjust controls, including targeted advertising.
- To learn more about how Microsoft uses personal data, see Microsoft's privacy policy.
Our Search Integrity
- Microsoft respects freedom of expression and the right to access information. At the same time, in accordance with Microsoft policies and principles around Responsible AI, privacy, digital safety, information integrity, and other critical issues, Bing has developed a safety system including content filtering, operational monitoring, and abuse detection to provide a safe search experience for our users.
- If Microsoft receives requests to remove content from individuals, businesses, and governments, in limited cases, where quality, safety, user demand, relevant laws, and/or public policy concerns exist, Bing might remove results, inform users of certain risks, or provide users with options for revising their content. Bing limits removal of search results to a narrow set of circumstances and conditions to avoid restricting Bing users' access to relevant information.
- Below we describe the circumstances where Bing may take action on content. When search results are removed, Bing endeavors to be transparent about removal. This includes providing users with notice of removal of search results at the bottom of the page. In addition, we publish information about search results removed by Bing as part of the Microsoft Reports Hub, including Copyright Content Removal Requests Report, Right to be Forgotten Content Removal Requests Report, and Government Requests for Content Removal Report.
- When a potential content or conduct violation on Bing is reported, a specially trained human reviewer may look at the content and conduct.
- Content Moderation Based on Legal Demands
- Certain countries have laws or regulations that apply to search service providers and require search engines to remove links to certain indexed pages from search results. Some of these laws allow specific individuals or entities to demand removal of results (such as for copyright infringement, libel, defamation, personally identifiable information, hate speech, or other personal rights), while others are administered and enforced by local governments.
- When Microsoft receives a request or demand, Bing aims to balance its support for freedom of expression and for free access to relevant content with compliance with local laws. We review and assess the request or demand, including the reason and basis for the request or demand, the authority or rights of the requesting party, our applicable policies and our commitments to our users with regard to freedom of expression, human rights, and freedom of information and determine whether and to what extent we should remove access to the content. Examples of legal request areas with global approaches are below.
- Child sexual exploitation and assault imagery and related materials
- The production and distribution of, and access to, child sexual abuse materials is universally condemned and illegal in most jurisdictions. It is also a violation of Bing and Microsoft policies. Bing works with third party technology and industry groups, law enforcement, and governmental and non-governmental organizations to help stop the spread of this horrific content online. One way we do this is by removing pages that have been reviewed by credible agencies (or identified via Microsoft PhotoDNA content detection tools) and found to contain or relate to the sexual exploitation or abuse of children.
- In particular, we remove pages from our index that have been identified by the Internet Watch Foundation (UK), NCMEC (US), and FSM (Germany) as, in their good faith judgment, hosting or providers of access to child sexual abuse material. Removing these links from displayed search results doesn't block the materials from being accessed on the web or discovered through means other than Bing, but it does reduce the availability of these pages for those who would seek it out or profit from it.
- Bing also uses PhotoDNA hash-matching technology to scan images uploaded by users in the visual search feature for potential exploitations and abuse imagery. User activity in Bing is governed by the Microsoft Services Agreement. More information about Microsoft and Bing's use of PhotoDNA and content moderation practices are available at Digital Safety Moderation and Enforcement.
- Copyright infringement
- Bing encourages respect for intellectual property rights, including copyrights, while also recognizing the rights of users to engage in uses that may be permissible under applicable copyright laws. Bing may remove from its search results links to webpages containing material infringing the rights of the owner of copyrighted content, provided we receive a legally sufficient notice of copyright infringement from the copyright owner or its authorized agent.
- If you are a rights holder and have an intellectual property concern about a website's content that is linked to by Bing, or a Bing ad, please see our Report Infringement page.
- Content Moderation Based on Quality, Safety and User Demand
- In certain circumstances relating to quality, safety, and user value, Bing may decide to remove certain results, or we may warn or educate users or provide options for tailoring results.
- Spam
- Certain pages captured in the Bing index may turn out to be pages of little or no value to users and/or can have characteristics that artificially manipulate the way search and advertising systems work in order to distort their relevance relative to pages that offer more relevant information. Some of these pages include only advertisements and/or links to other websites that contain mostly ads, and no, or only superficial, content relevant to the subject of the search. To improve the search experience for users and deliver more relevant content, Bing might remove such search results, or adjust Bing algorithms to prioritize more useful and relevant pages in search results.
- Sensitive personal information, including nonconsensual distribution of intimate images
- From time to time, webpages that are publicly available may intentionally or inadvertently contain sensitive personal information posted without the consent of the individual identified or in circumstances that create security or privacy risks. Examples include inadvertent posting of private records, private phone numbers, identification numbers and the like, or intentionally and maliciously posting email passwords, login credentials, credit card numbers, or other data intended to be used for fraud or hacking. Upon verification, Bing will remove such search results.
- Another example is when someone shares adult or sexually explicit images of another person online – whether real or a "deepfake" image that is created using AI or other photo editing tools - without that person's consent. This is commonly referred to as nonconsensual intimate imagery, or "revenge porn". Microsoft considers this to be a gross invasion of personal privacy. To help victims get back control of their images and their privacy, Bing may remove links to such photos and videos from search results. To report unauthorized online photos and videos, including deepfakes, victims should complete a form on our reporting web page.
- As noted in the reporting form, it's important to remember that information will remain available on the original website even if Bing has removed the link from search results. The website owner is in the best position to address privacy concerns about the information it publishes. Victims will need to contact owners of the website where the content is hosted to remove content from the web.
- Adult content
- Bing offers a SafeSearch feature, which allows most users to set the type of filtering for adult content that they prefer to apply to their search results. Bing endeavors to avoid delivering content that can be offensive or harmful when it wasn't requested and provides SafeSearch settings to allow users to customize their search experience. By default, in most countries or regions, SafeSearch is set to Moderate, which restricts visually explicit search results but doesn't restrict explicit text. Users can choose to change their SafeSearch settings at any time.
- Different countries or regions may have different local customs, religious or cultural norms, or local laws regarding the display of adult content (or search results accessing adult content). This may affect default SafeSearch settings for Bing in some countries.
- Illegal pharmaceuticals
- In furtherance of Bing's commitment to provide users with trustworthy search results, Bing has taken steps to minimize the likelihood that users are harmed through illegal pharmaceutical sales online. In the US, Bing blocks online pharmacies listed on the FDA's Internet Pharmacy Warning Letters site. The FDA, as the federal regulatory body for the pharmaceutical industry in the United States, maintains this public list of online pharmacies engaged in illegal and unsafe practices. The FDA has more information at BeSafeRx: Know Your Online Pharmacy.
- Public service announcements and warnings
- For some topics, it can be difficult to find quality information. When we identify these gaps, we sometimes insert helpful content so users can explore a topic faster. These can take many different forms. You might see a 'public service' answer, an answer that explains breaking news, or a warning on a particular site known to contain potentially harmful information. To ensure we are getting the details right, we always look for authoritative sources for curated and original content. If we are using a third-party source, we'll always show their name or website so you'll know where the data is coming from.
- For example, Bing provides links to suicide prevention resources when a user's query expresses a possible suicide intent. Microsoft Bing also provides warning notices on certain URLs appearing in search results where it has reliable information that the link contains possibly harmful content. Such notices appear on links to sites Microsoft Bing has determined to contain harmful malware that could damage a user's computer. Microsoft Bing also provides a warning to users in the United States on any link identified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) as a "Not Recommended Site."
- Additional Ranking Interventions
- In some cases, Bing may discover that certain search topics are returning results not in line with Bing's principles, such as where bad actors are intentionally manipulating search results to surface low authority content, exploiting a data void, or otherwise violating Bing's Webmaster Guidelines in an effort to improperly manipulate search results. Prohibited practices are described further at Webmaster Guidelines - Bing Webmaster Tools. When this occurs, Bing may apply additional algorithmic interventions to prevent users from being unexpectedly exposed to harmful or misleading content that they did not evince an intent to search for. Bing prioritizes interventions on known misinformation trends, topics where there are elevated risks of active manipulations, and areas where there are risks of harm to our users.
- While we do not remove such content entirely from our index, we apply algorithmic interventions so that users without a clear intent to find such information are protected from accidentally being presented with harmful or misleading information. Bing actively monitors manipulation trends in identified high risk areas and deploys mitigation methods as needed to ensure users are provided with high quality, high authority search results.
- Safety in Enhanced Search Features
- Moderation in Bing conversational search and Bing Image Creator
- Bing conversational search builds on the existing Bing experience to provide users with a new search interface and conversational experience. Content that appears in conversational search and similar features is subject to the same moderation principles as other content appearing in search results; where applicable, Bing may remove content in conversational search or Image Creator that is in violation of applicable laws or Microsoft policies, including the Bing Conversational Search and Image Creator terms and Code of Conduct.
- We are constantly working to improve our search results. In some cases we may limit how we display content in conversational search or Image Creator in order to prevent users from being unexpectedly exposed to misleading or harmful information. Users can always view a full set of search results relevant to their query on the main Bing search results page.
- All inputs or data provided by users to power conversational search experiences and Bing Image Creator, as well as use of generated outputs, are subject to the Terms of Use [link: www.bing.com/new/termsofuse]. In certain cases, Bing may restrict access to the service to users who seriously or repeatedly violate the Terms of Use or Code of Conduct. Users can report problematic content appearing in conversational search and Image Creator by sending feedback using the "feedback" button which is always available at the bottom of Bing search pages, or using the Report a Concern form, which is linked from the Feedback interface and in Bing Help.
- Providing helpful search suggestions
- Bing takes steps to ensure that users are not inadvertently led to potentially harmful, offensive, or misleading content via search suggestions. We set guardrails to prevent users from unexpectedly being exposed to potentially harmful or offensive content by using a combination of proactive and reactive algorithmic and manual interventions. These interventions only apply to search suggestions; users are never prevented from manually entering a search query.
- You may turn on and off autosuggest feature in the Bing Setting page (Search - Settings (bing.com)) by selecting or unselecting the "See search suggestions as you type" checkbox.
- Reports and Appeals
- Reporting problematic content
- If you find objectionable content on Bing, report it. We value your reports and work continuously to improve your search experience.
- For webmasters: appealing webpage content removal decisions
- If Bing has removed your site or page from the index and you've addressed the issues and would like to have your site re-evaluated, you can appeal using the Bing webmaster tools. Learn more about the process.
- User Appeals
- Use of all Bing products and features are governed by Microsoft Services Agreement. Persistently engaging in activities that violate the Agreement may result in permanent suspension and/or restriction of a user's Microsoft Account.
- Users may appeal restrictions/suspensions via Bing's Report a Concern form. Bing's support team will review the decisions. If the original actions were found to have been taken in error, the actions will be reversed and the notifications will be sent to the affected users, if contact information was provided to Bing.
Transparency
- Every six months, Microsoft publishes transparency reports that include the number of requests for removal we've received in certain categories and approved during that timeframe. You can see some details about the requests in Reports Hub | Microsoft CSR.
RELATED TOPICS
Our Approach to Search
We recognize that in our technology-driven world, search engines are in many ways the gateway to the internet and the primary way people find the content they are looking for amongst the trillions of ever-changing webpages available online. Search engines like Bing play a vital role in upholding the fundamental right to free and open access to information and free expression, and we thrive to help users find the most useful and relevant information that they seek. At the same time, we recognize that we must often balance the right to access information against other key rights and interests, such as user privacy or safety. To help guide how we determine what pages should be provided in response to search queries, we rely on the following principles:
- We provide credible and authoritative results relevant to user queries.
- We provide the highest quality, authoritative content relevant to users' search terms.
- Our goal is to always provide fair, balanced, and comprehensive content. When there are multiple credible perspectives, we try to display them in informative ways. When there is no authoritative source, our goal is to avoid promoting bias or potentially misleading information.
- We respect user intent. When a user expresses a clear intent to access specific information, we provide relevant results even if they are less credible, while (as described in more detail below) working to ensure that users are not misled by such search results.
- We promote free and open access to information within the bounds of the law and with respect for local law and other fundamental rights, such as privacy and public safety.
- We provide open access to as much of the web as possible, but in limited cases we may undertake certain interventions (such as removal of a website or downranking) such as where the content violates local law, or Microsoft's policies or core values.
- When limiting access to content, we strive to ensure our actions are narrowly tailored, so we do not unduly restrict important interests such as the freedom of expression, open access to information, and media pluralism, and we provide transparency regarding our actions
- We take steps to protect users from harmful and unexpected offensive content.
- We recognize that there are many reasons why someone may want to research or review harmful or controversial content, but also recognize the importance of ensuring users are not inadvertently misled by such content.
- For certain types of content where we identified search results may include harmful or misleading information, we may provide supplemental information, such as warnings and public service announcements, to inform users about potential risks. We give users control over the type of content they encounter in Bing through features such as SafeSearch and Family Safety.
- Absent a clear intent to access specific content we assume an intent to find high authority results.
- We are transparent about our principles and practices, as well as our decisions and actions.
- We provide users with information about our principles regarding ranking and relevance, and our moderation policies.
- When we limit access to content, where relevant we provide notice to users that content was removed.
- We publish regular transparency reports providing information about the complaints we receive and the actions taken.
The Basics of Search
- Returning search results is no easy feat, and involves complex, near-instantaneous algorithmic calculations. A search for something as simple as "cat" could yield over 55 million results. So how do we choose which results to show first? We start by crawling the web and building an index of available web pages. Then we use algorithms to rank and optimize that content so we can give users the best, highest quality search results available.
- More details on each of these steps are below.
- How Bing Crawls the Web
- The first step in building search is figuring out which pages exist on the internet in order to index them - commonly called crawling. At Bing, we affectionately call our crawler “Bingbot.” Crawling is how Bingbot discovers new and updated pages and content to add to our search index. Bingbot uses an algorithm to decide what to crawl and how often, working to minimize its impact on websites. We are all about efficiency, even as we crawl billions of URLs every day. We prioritize relevant known pages that aren't indexed yet and ones we think have been updated to help deliver the freshest results.
- How Bing Builds an Index
- As Bingbot crawls the web, it sends information to Bing about what it finds. These pages are then added to the Bing index and algorithms are used to analyze the pages so we can effectively include them in search results, including determining which sites, news articles, images, or videos will be included in the index and available when users search for specific keywords. Learn more about how Bing finds and indexes pages here
- How Bing Ranks Search Results
- Complex algorithms generate Microsoft Bing search results using the user's search query matching it with third-party webpages in our index. Bing designs and continually improves its algorithms to provide the most comprehensive, relevant, and valuable collection of search results available.
- Given the scale of the internet and the complexity of operating a search engine, Bing relies on machine learning to ensure users see the best results for their query out of the trillions of pages of content on the web. Machine learning is the science of getting computers to act without being explicitly programmed by identifying patterns in data and generalizing based on a small set of examples. For web ranking, this means building a model that will look at some ideal results to learn which features are most predictive of their usefulness, relying on automated signals like user interactions with the Bing website, and training data labeled by human judges and/or via AI systems with human oversight. Bing guides its judges to make sure their evaluations align with Bing's ranking goals and engages in ongoing monitoring and oversight of its ranking systems and adjusts its practices as needed to make sure search results remain aligned with Bing's principles.
- Main parameters of ranking
- Below is a high-level overview of the main parameters Bing uses to rank pages in search results. These parameters are listed in general order of importance. Bing's complex systems use these criteria to deliver search results. The relative importance of each of the parameters below may vary from search to search and evolve over time.
- Relevance: Relevance refers to how closely the content on the landing page matches a user's intent behind a search query. This includes matching terms directly on the page and phrases used in links referring to the page. Bing also considers semantic equivalents, including synonyms or abbreviations, which may not be exact matches of the query terms but are understood to have the same meaning. Many queries may have more than one possible intent. Bing tries to provide a comprehensive set of results that reflect all possible intents, but Bing presumes the user seeks high-quality, authoritative content unless the user clearly indicates an intent to research low-quality content.
- Quality and Credibility: Determining the quality and credibility (QC) of a website includes evaluating the clarity of purpose of the site, its usability, and presentation. QC also consists of an evaluation of the page's “authority”, which includes factors such as:
- Reputation: What types of other websites link to the site? A well-known news site is considered to have a higher reputation than a brand-new blog.
- Level of discourse: Is the purpose of the content solely to cause harm to individuals or groups of people? For example, a site that promotes violence or resorts to name-calling or bullying will be considered to have a low level of discourse, and therefore lower authority, than a balanced news article.
- Level of distortion: How well does the site differentiate fact from opinion? A site that is clearly labeled as satire or parody will have more authority than one that tries to obscure its intent.
- Origination and transparency of the ownership: Is the site reporting first-hand information, or does it summarize or republish content from others? If the site doesn't publish original content, do they attribute the source? A first-hand account published on a personal blog could have more authority than unsourced content.
- User engagement: Bing also considers how users interact with search results. To determine user engagement, Bing asks questions like: Did users click through to search results for a given query, and if so, which results? Did users spend time on these search results they clicked through or quickly return to Bing? Did the user adjust or reformulate their query? For webmasters, the Bing Webmaster Dashboard provides insights into how users interact with their webpages.
- Freshness: Generally, Bing prefers fresh content. A page that consistently provides up-to-date information is considered fresh. In many cases, content produced today will still be relevant years from now. In some cases, however, content produced today will go out of date quickly.
- Location and Language: In ranking results, Bing considers the user's location (country and city), where the page is hosted, the language of the page, and the location of other visitors to the page.
- Page load time: Slow page load times can lead a visitor to leave a website, potentially before the content has even loaded, to seek information elsewhere. In most cases Bing will consider this a poor user experience and a less helpful search result.
- Use of personal data
- Bing uses information specific to an individual user to improve relevance and performance. This information includes search history, location, language, device characteristics such as operating system or browser, and whether a user is on a mobile device, tablet, or desktop. Users can update their location, language, and other settings via Bing Settings, and delete search history on the Privacy Dashboard.
- Paid content and Microsoft-promoted content
- Websites may choose to advertise on Bing through Microsoft Advertising; paid advertisements that appear in search results are labeled as such. Bing does not allow websites to improve their organic ranking positions (the “blue links”) through payment. Learn more about how paid search ads are ranked within advertising search results.
- Bing does not prioritize Microsoft products or services over third-party products and services in algorithmic search results. Outside of organic search results, Bing will sometimes provide a standalone answer box or banner promoting a Microsoft product or service when relevant to the search term provided.
- Nature of businesses
- The characteristics of the goods or services offered on a site do not affect how Bing ranks results, except in cases where the content is potentially offensive or harmful to a user. For example, pages offering adult content are not available when users set SafeSearch to “Strict” mode. As another example, pages promoting potentially harmful content, such as where a site promotes methods of suicide or purports to sell opioids or other potentially harmful drugs, would be considered low authority content.
Enhanced Search Experiences
- In addition to core algorithmic search functions, Bing provides users with additional features to help provide additional context and information and enhance the search experience. For example, if users want to know which team won last night's game, when users search on Bing for a team name, they are likely to see the final score and a recap at the top of the page, a snapshot with more info about the team, news, videos, and related searches along with the most relevant search results. To help users find what they are looking for more easily, we also let users narrow their search results with categories like images, videos, news, and shopping. These features also rely on the ranking principles and main parameters described above, but in some cases take additional considerations into account to provide users with the highest quality, most relevant results available. In some cases, Bing may determine that a particular search query is not well suited for these enhanced search features, but will always make sure users can find relevant information in the blue links. More details on these features are below.
- Answers
- “Answers” are how Bing describes the enhanced search results provided often at the top or side of search results that provide richer content in response to a user's query, often with a direct answer to the question asked, or with additional related resources. For example, if a user types “How tall is the Eiffel Tower?” Bing will respond with the answer of “330 m” to enable users to quickly find the information they need, along with a sidebar pane with more information about the Eiffel Tower, including interesting facts about when it was built, where it is located, and other details. For these queries, Bing looks at search results across the web, returns a summarized answer, and links to its sources. Some of these answers may be powered by generative AI to provide an even richer experience, linking to key sources.
- If the query is related to a business, Bing may return relevant information about the business, such as store hours and location. Business owners can claim and verify existing listings on Bing using Bing Places for Business (available in limited markets) to create, edit or update their listing information. In some cases, Bing may partner with third-party content providers, such as local restaurant review sites, to further enhance the user experience.
- Generative AI Features
- Bing's generative AI features include Copilot in Bing conversational experiences, Image Creator from Designer, Copilot Pro, and Copilot GPTs and GPT Builder (coming soon). The conversational experiences build on the existing Bing experience to provide users with a new type of natural language search interface, built on “large language model” technology. The sources Copilot response uses to form its answer are derived from the same ranking of third-party search results as the main web search results page. These results are displayed clearly to the user giving them the opportunity to dive deeper by visiting the 3rd party site. Based on the user query or prompt, the model may also produce output that helps inspire the user's creativity. The output can serve as the inspiration for a poem, a story, code, an essay, a song, or anything else that can be expressed in natural language or in an image, depending on the nature of a user's request.
- Bing's generative AI features were developed with responsible AI in mind. Please see Our Approach to Responsible AI for more detail. User activity in these features is governed by the service's Terms of Use and Code of Conduct.
- Image and Video Experiences
- Bing's image and video experiences provide the user with image and video results relevant to their search queries, which can appear in the image and video verticals, as well as on the main search results page where image or video content is relevant to the user's query. Ranking within the image and video experiences generally relies on the same parameters as the main web search results page, i.e., relevance, quality, freshness, authority, and popularity. When a user first lands on the image or video experience homepages, prior to entering a query, the homepage will show recommended content based on prior interactions with the site, like the user's search history, engagement with image results, saved images, and, where a user allows it, Edge browsing history. Users can control this experience by deleting data used to influence personalization from their Privacy Dashboard, leveraging the consent for Microsoft Edge browsing activity for personalized advertising and experiences or, if they are not logged in, starting a new session. In some markets, Bing also offers a feature called Bing Saves that allows authenticated users to maintain collections of relevant image links. User activity in Bing Saves is governed by the Microsoft Services Agreement and Code of Conduct.
- Maps
- In the Bing Maps experience, or on the main search results page where the query indicates a location intent, users can type queries into the search bar, and the map will display a list of locations in that vicinity responsive to that search or pinpoint a particular address. Bing Maps relies on licensed and publicly available location data and uses the same ranking parameters as outlined above. Businesses can improve the accuracy of Bing Maps results by registering with Bing Places and providing up to date information for Bing users on information relevant to that business, such as location, contact information, and hours.
- News
- Bing has a dedicated news home page called Bing News, which curates news content for Bing users. Where relevant, Bing may also display a news-focused answer box on the main search results page pulling from the Bing News content. While Bing News relies on the same main parameters for ranking results as Bing, content that appears in Bing news search results must meet specific Bing News Publisher Guidelines, described in detail in the Bing News Publication Hub. Websites interested in being included in the Bing News index may apply through PubHub. When the same article is available both on a third-party website and on MSN.com or Microsoft Start (as Microsoft licensed content), Bing News search results may display the Microsoft Start version of that content. This enables a more consistent, higher-quality user experience. Licensed Microsoft Start content appearing in Bing is marked by the label “powered by Microsoft Start.”
- Shopping
- Bing Shopping is a search feature to help users discover products from multiple sellers on a single view by returning relevant shopping results from the web and from advertisers. In some cases, the shopping experience may use generative AI tools to provide better results for users. In some instances, Microsoft may receive compensation for users who click on algorithmically generated results, but such compensation has no effect on the ranking or relevance of algorithmically generated results shown to the user.
- Bing Shopping also may provide coupons relevant to the user's query, or where a user allows, based on prior engagement with Shopping experiences. In some instances, Microsoft may receive revenue for the use of the coupons and purchases through Bing Shopping, although whether a revenue share payment will be obtained is not factored into Bing's ranking of coupons shown to users.
- Users who allow Microsoft to collect and use personal data to personalize and advertise may see results in the Shopping vertical tailored to their interests; users can visit the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard or the Edge shopping toggle to opt-in or out of personalized ads and control the data that influences personalization.
- Safe Search
- Safety is always the top priority at Bing. We have a number of ways to help keep users safe, including always using a secure https web connection, notifying users if we think a site contains malware, letting users control what they see with SafeSearch, and by integrating with Windows Family Safety to help caregivers protect their children. Our SafeSearch feature helps keep adult content out of search results. Visit the SafeSearch setting to make changes to this experience.
- Suggestions
- Autosuggest and related suggestions (“suggestions”) are query suggestions provided by Bing to help users use search and chat more conveniently. Autosuggest is a feature that helps users complete searches faster by predicting the search queries as users start to type in the query box. Related suggestions is a feature that shows topics that the users might be interested in next to search results (e.g., “People may also ask”). Bing similarly provides suggestions for conversation topics in its chat experiences.
- Suggestions are generated algorithmically and based on the popularity of related searches on Bing, along with other relevance signals such as search history, trends, location, and language. Bing's suggestions also use natural language generation technology trained on query sets to help predict a user's intended query.
Improving Search Results
- Research and Testing
- Before users ever see an improvement or new feature at Bing, we've been hard at work behind the scenes. Our researchers often recruit users to try out new features and give us their opinions. Once they're satisfied, we release the feature to a small set of real users to see how they interact with it. When it gets the green light, we release it to everyone. But it doesn't end there. After every feature is released, we regularly monitor usage and feedback to evaluate what's working and how we can improve.
- Feedback
- Your feedback helps make Bing better. At the bottom of every Bing page, you'll see a Feedback link. We don't require your name or other identifying information when you submit feedback. This information is shared with teams across Bing to improve your experience and search results. We try to read every piece of feedback you submit. Plus, we can't help but notice what users like and don't like about Bing as you use the site, such as which links you click on and which searches you have to revise to find what you are looking for, and we use that info when we are working on new or existing features.
Controls
- Bing Settings
- For many common search scenarios, such as looking for local businesses like restaurants, shops, or medical care, in order to provide useful search results, it is essential that Bing understands the user's language, location, and similar preferences. At the same time, Bing wants to make sure the user stays in control of their experience. Users can see what information Bing is using to provide relevant search results and make changes at any time in Bing Settings.
- For location, Bing will attempt to identify the area in which you are located using signals like your IP address but you also can update your preferred location at any time here. In some cases, like Maps, it may be important for Bing to understand more specifically where the user is located in order to provide location-dependent services like directions. Users can also control what specific location information is provided to Microsoft through in-product controls and their device's operating system.
- If you allow it, we use your search history to help improve results and provide more relevant search results. To control this information, see your Bing search history. [https://www.bing.com/profile/history]
- Users also can access and modify other relevant controls in the Bing Settings experience, such as SafeSearch settings, voice search controls, search suggestions, and personalization options.
- Microsoft Account
- Users logged in to their Microsoft Account also have more robust controls over their location history, search history, and other data collected by Microsoft, in the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard.
- Signing in with your Microsoft account is an easy way to manage your data and adjust controls, including targeted advertising.
- To learn more about how Microsoft uses personal data, see Microsoft's privacy policy.
Our Search Integrity
- Microsoft respects freedom of expression and the right to access information. At the same time, in accordance with Microsoft policies and principles around Responsible AI, privacy, digital safety, information integrity, and other critical issues, Bing has developed a safety system including content filtering, operational monitoring, and abuse detection to provide a safe search experience for our users.
- If Microsoft receives requests to remove content from individuals, businesses, and governments, in limited cases, where quality, safety, user demand, relevant laws, and/or public policy concerns exist, Bing might remove results, inform users of certain risks, or provide users with options for revising their content. Bing limits removal of search results to a narrow set of circumstances and conditions to avoid restricting Bing users' access to relevant information.
- Below we describe the circumstances where Bing may take action on content. When search results are removed, Bing endeavors to be transparent about removal. This includes providing users with notice of removal of search results at the bottom of the page. In addition, we publish information about search results removed by Bing as part of the Microsoft Reports Hub, including Copyright Content Removal Requests Report, Right to be Forgotten Content Removal Requests Report, and Government Requests for Content Removal Report.
- When a potential content or conduct violation on Bing is reported, a specially trained human reviewer may look at the content and conduct.
- Content Moderation Based on Legal Demands
- Certain countries have laws or regulations that apply to search service providers and require search engines to remove links to certain indexed pages from search results. Some of these laws allow specific individuals or entities to demand removal of results (such as for copyright infringement, libel, defamation, personally identifiable information, hate speech, or other personal rights), while others are administered and enforced by local governments.
- When Microsoft receives a request or demand, Bing aims to balance its support for freedom of expression and for free access to relevant content with compliance with local laws. We review and assess the request or demand, including the reason and basis for the request or demand, the authority or rights of the requesting party, our applicable policies and our commitments to our users with regard to freedom of expression, human rights, and freedom of information and determine whether and to what extent we should remove access to the content. Examples of legal request areas with global approaches are below.
- Child sexual exploitation and assault imagery and related materials
- The production and distribution of, and access to, child sexual abuse materials is universally condemned and illegal in most jurisdictions. It is also a violation of Bing and Microsoft policies. Bing works with third party technology and industry groups, law enforcement, and governmental and non-governmental organizations to help stop the spread of this horrific content online. One way we do this is by removing pages that have been reviewed by credible agencies (or identified via Microsoft PhotoDNA content detection tools) and found to contain or relate to the sexual exploitation or abuse of children.
- In particular, we remove pages from our index that have been identified by the Internet Watch Foundation (UK), NCMEC (US), and FSM (Germany) as, in their good faith judgment, hosting or providers of access to child sexual abuse material. Removing these links from displayed search results doesn't block the materials from being accessed on the web or discovered through means other than Bing, but it does reduce the availability of these pages for those who would seek it out or profit from it.
- Bing also uses PhotoDNA hash-matching technology to scan images uploaded by users in the visual search feature for potential exploitations and abuse imagery. User activity in Bing is governed by the Microsoft Services Agreement. More information about Microsoft and Bing's use of PhotoDNA and content moderation practices are available at Digital Safety Moderation and Enforcement.
- Copyright infringement
- Bing encourages respect for intellectual property rights, including copyrights, while also recognizing the rights of users to engage in uses that may be permissible under applicable copyright laws. Bing may remove from its search results links to webpages containing material infringing the rights of the owner of copyrighted content, provided we receive a legally sufficient notice of copyright infringement from the copyright owner or its authorized agent.
- If you are a rights holder and have an intellectual property concern about a website's content that is linked to by Bing, or a Bing ad, please see our Report Infringement page.
- Content Moderation Based on Quality, Safety and User Demand
- In certain circumstances relating to quality, safety, and user value, Bing may decide to remove certain results, or we may warn or educate users or provide options for tailoring results.
- Spam
- Certain pages captured in the Bing index may turn out to be pages of little or no value to users and/or can have characteristics that artificially manipulate the way search and advertising systems work in order to distort their relevance relative to pages that offer more relevant information. Some of these pages include only advertisements and/or links to other websites that contain mostly ads, and no, or only superficial, content relevant to the subject of the search. To improve the search experience for users and deliver more relevant content, Bing might remove such search results, or adjust Bing algorithms to prioritize more useful and relevant pages in search results.
- Sensitive personal information, including nonconsensual distribution of intimate images
- From time to time, webpages that are publicly available may intentionally or inadvertently contain sensitive personal information posted without the consent of the individual identified or in circumstances that create security or privacy risks. Examples include inadvertent posting of private records, private phone numbers, identification numbers and the like, or intentionally and maliciously posting email passwords, login credentials, credit card numbers, or other data intended to be used for fraud or hacking. Upon verification, Bing will remove such search results.
- Another example is when someone shares adult or sexually explicit images of another person online – whether real or a “deepfake” image that is created using AI or other photo editing tools - without that person's consent. This is commonly referred to as nonconsensual intimate imagery, or "revenge porn". Microsoft considers this to be a gross invasion of personal privacy. To help victims get back control of their images and their privacy, Bing may remove links to such photos and videos from search results. To report unauthorized online photos and videos, including deepfakes, victims should complete a form on our reporting web page.
- As noted in the reporting form, it's important to remember that information will remain available on the original website even if Bing has removed the link from search results. The website owner is in the best position to address privacy concerns about the information it publishes. Victims will need to contact owners of the website where the content is hosted to remove content from the web.
- Adult content
- Bing offers a SafeSearch feature, which allows most users to set the type of filtering for adult content that they prefer to apply to their search results. Bing endeavors to avoid delivering content that can be offensive or harmful when it wasn't requested and provides SafeSearch settings to allow users to customize their search experience. By default, in most countries or regions, SafeSearch is set to Moderate, which restricts visually explicit search results but doesn't restrict explicit text. Users can choose to change their SafeSearch settings at any time.
- Different countries or regions may have different local customs, religious or cultural norms, or local laws regarding the display of adult content (or search results accessing adult content). This may affect default SafeSearch settings for Bing in some countries.
- Illegal pharmaceuticals
- In furtherance of Bing's commitment to provide users with trustworthy search results, Bing has taken steps to minimize the likelihood that users are harmed through illegal pharmaceutical sales online. In the US, Bing blocks online pharmacies listed on the FDA's Internet Pharmacy Warning Letters site. The FDA, as the federal regulatory body for the pharmaceutical industry in the United States, maintains this public list of online pharmacies engaged in illegal and unsafe practices. The FDA has more information at BeSafeRx: Know Your Online Pharmacy.
- Public service announcements and warnings
- For some topics, it can be difficult to find quality information. When we identify these gaps, we sometimes insert helpful content so users can explore a topic faster. These can take many different forms. You might see a 'public service' answer, an answer that explains breaking news, or a warning on a particular site known to contain potentially harmful information. To ensure we are getting the details right, we always look for authoritative sources for curated and original content. If we are using a third-party source, we'll always show their name or website so you'll know where the data is coming from.
- For example, Bing provides links to suicide prevention resources when a user's query expresses a possible suicide intent. Microsoft Bing also provides warning notices on certain URLs appearing in search results where it has reliable information that the link contains possibly harmful content. Such notices appear on links to sites Microsoft Bing has determined to contain harmful malware that could damage a user's computer. Microsoft Bing also provides a warning to users in the United States on any link identified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) as a “Not Recommended Site.”
- Additional Ranking Interventions
- In some cases, Bing may discover that certain search topics are returning results not in line with Bing's principles, such as where bad actors are intentionally manipulating search results to surface low authority content, exploiting a data void, or otherwise violating Bing's Webmaster Guidelines in an effort to improperly manipulate search results. Prohibited practices are described further at Webmaster Guidelines - Bing Webmaster Tools. When this occurs, Bing may apply additional algorithmic interventions to prevent users from being unexpectedly exposed to harmful or misleading content that they did not evince an intent to search for. Bing prioritizes interventions on known misinformation trends, topics where there are elevated risks of active manipulations, and areas where there are risks of harm to our users.
- While we do not remove such content entirely from our index, we apply algorithmic interventions so that users without a clear intent to find such information are protected from accidentally being presented with harmful or misleading information. Bing actively monitors manipulation trends in identified high risk areas and deploys mitigation methods as needed to ensure users are provided with high quality, high authority search results.
- Safety in Enhanced Search Features
- Moderation in Copilot in Bing
- Copilot in Bing builds on the existing Bing experience to provide users with a new search interface and conversational experience. Copilot in Bing also include features such as Image Creator from Designer, Copilot Pro and Copilot GPTs and GPT Builder (coming soon). Content that appears in conversational search and similar features is subject to the same moderation principles as other content appearing in search results; where applicable, Bing may remove content in Copilot in Bing that is in violation of applicable laws or Microsoft policies, including the Copilot in Bing terms and Code of Conduct.
- We are constantly working to improve our search results. In some cases we may limit how we display content in conversational search or Image Creator in order to prevent users from being unexpectedly exposed to misleading or harmful information. Users can always view a full set of search results relevant to their query on the main Bing search results page.
- All inputs or data provided by users to power Copilot in Bing, as well as use of generated outputs, are subject to the Terms of Use. In certain cases, Copilot Bing may restrict access to the service to users who seriously or repeatedly violate the Terms of Use or Code of Conduct. Users can report problematic content appearing in Copilot in Bing by sending feedback using the “feedback” button which is always available at the bottom of Copilot pages, or using the Report a Concern form, which is linked from the Feedback interface and in Bing Help.
- Providing helpful search suggestions
- Bing takes steps to ensure that users are not inadvertently led to potentially harmful, offensive, or misleading content via search suggestions. We set guardrails to prevent users from unexpectedly being exposed to potentially harmful or offensive content by using a combination of proactive and reactive algorithmic and manual interventions. These interventions only apply to search suggestions; users are never prevented from manually entering a search query.
- You may turn on and off autosuggest feature in the Bing Setting page (Search - Settings (bing.com)) by selecting or unselecting the “See search suggestions as you type” checkbox.
- Reports and Appeals
- Reporting problematic content
- If you find objectionable content on Bing, report it. We value your reports and work continuously to improve your search experience.
- For webmasters: appealing webpage content removal decisions
- If Bing has removed your site or page from the index and you've addressed the issues and would like to have your site re-evaluated, you can appeal using the Bing webmaster tools. Learn more about the process.
- User Appeals
- Use of all Bing products and features are governed by Microsoft Services Agreement. Persistently engaging in activities that violate the Agreement may result in permanent suspension and/or restriction of a user's Microsoft Account.
- Users may appeal restrictions/suspensions via Bing's Report a Concern form. Bing's support team will review the decisions. If the original actions were found to have been taken in error, the actions will be reversed and the notifications will be sent to the affected users, if contact information was provided to Bing.
Transparency
- Every six months, Microsoft publishes transparency reports that include the number of requests for removal we've received in certain categories and approved during that timeframe. You can see some details about the requests in Reports Hub | Microsoft CSR.
Our Approach to Search
We recognize that in our technology-driven world, search engines are in many ways the gateway to the internet and the primary way people find the content they are looking for amongst the trillions of ever-changing webpages available online. Search engines like Bing play a vital role in upholding the fundamental right to free and open access to information and free expression, and we thrive to help users find the most useful and relevant information that they seek. At the same time, we recognize that we must often balance the right to access information against other key rights and interests, such as user privacy or safety. To help guide how we determine what pages should be provided in response to search queries, we rely on the following principles:
- We provide credible and authoritative results relevant to user queries.
- We provide the highest quality, authoritative content relevant to users' search terms.
- Our goal is to always provide fair, balanced, and comprehensive content. When there are multiple credible perspectives, we try to display them in informative ways. When there is no authoritative source, our goal is to avoid promoting bias or potentially misleading information.
- We respect user intent. When a user expresses a clear intent to access specific information, we provide relevant results even if they are less credible, while (as described in more detail below) working to ensure that users are not misled by such search results.
- We promote free and open access to information within the bounds of the law and with respect for local law and other fundamental rights, such as privacy and public safety.
- We provide open access to as much of the web as possible, but in limited cases we may undertake certain interventions (such as removal of a website or downranking) such as where the content violates local law, or Microsoft's policies or core values.
- When limiting access to content, we strive to ensure our actions are narrowly tailored, so we don't unduly restrict important interests such as freedom of expression, open access to information, and media pluralism, and we provide transparency regarding our actions.
- We take steps to protect users from harmful and unexpected offensive content.
- We recognize that there are many reasons why someone might want to research or review harmful or controversial content, but also recognize the importance of ensuring users aren't inadvertently misled by such content.
- For certain types of content where we identified search results may include harmful or misleading information, we might provide supplemental information, such as warnings and public service announcements, to inform users about potential risks. We give users control over the type of content they encounter in Bing through features such as SafeSearch and Family Safety.
- Absent a clear intent to access specific content we assume an intent to find high authority results.
- We're transparent about our principles and practices, as well as our decisions and actions.
- We provide users with information about our principles regarding ranking and relevance, and our moderation policies.
- When we limit access to content, where relevant we provide notice to users that content was removed.
- We publish regular transparency reports providing information about the complaints we receive and the actions taken.
- If information has already been removed from the website but is still showing up in Bing search results, you can use the Content Removal Tool to submit a page removal or outdated cache removal request. To learn more about the Content Removal Tool, go to Bing Webmaster Help & How-To.
The Basics of Search
- Returning search results is no easy feat, and involves complex, near-instantaneous algorithmic calculations. A search for something as simple as "cat" could yield over 55 million results. So how do we choose which results to show first? We start by crawling the web and building an index of available web pages. Then we use algorithms to rank and optimize that content so we can give users the best, highest quality search results available.
- More details on each of these steps are below.
- How Bing Crawls the Web
- The first step in building search is figuring out which pages exist on the internet in order to index them - commonly called crawling. At Bing, we affectionately call our crawler "Bingbot." Crawling is how Bingbot discovers new and updated pages and content to add to our search index. Bingbot uses an algorithm to decide what to crawl and how often, working to minimize its impact on websites. We're all about efficiency, even as we crawl billions of URLs every day. We prioritize relevant known pages that aren't indexed yet and ones we think have been updated to help deliver the freshest results.
- How Bing Builds an Index
- As Bingbot crawls the web, it sends information to Bing about what it finds. These pages are then added to the Bing index and algorithms are used to analyze the pages so we can effectively include them in search results, including determining which sites, news articles, images, or videos will be included in the index and available when users search for specific keywords. Learn more about how Bing finds and indexes pages here.
- How Bing Ranks Search Results
- Complex algorithms generate Microsoft Bing search results using the user's search query matching it with third-party webpages in our index. Bing designs and continually improves its algorithms to provide the most comprehensive, relevant, and valuable collection of search results available.
- Given the scale of the internet and the complexity of operating a search engine, Bing relies on machine learning to ensure users see the best results for their query out of the trillions of pages of content on the web. Machine learning is the science of getting computers to act without being explicitly programmed by identifying patterns in data and generalizing based on a small set of examples. For web ranking, this means building a model that will look at some ideal results to learn which features are most predictive of their usefulness, relying on automated signals like user interactions with the Bing website, and training data labeled by human judges and/or via AI systems with human oversight. Bing guides its judges to make sure their evaluations align with Bing's ranking goals and engages in ongoing monitoring and oversight of its ranking systems and adjusts its practices as needed to make sure search results remain aligned with Bing's principles.
- Main parameters of ranking
- Below is a high-level overview of the main parameters Bing uses to rank pages in search results. These parameters are listed in general order of importance. Bing's complex systems use these criteria to deliver search results. The relative importance of each of the parameters below may vary from search to search and evolve over time.
- Relevance: Relevance refers to how closely the content on the landing page matches a user's intent behind a search query. This includes matching terms directly on the page and phrases used in links referring to the page. Bing also considers semantic equivalents, including synonyms or abbreviations, which may not be exact matches of the query terms but are understood to have the same meaning. Many queries may have more than one possible intent. Bing tries to provide a comprehensive set of results that reflect all possible intents, but Bing presumes the user seeks high-quality, authoritative content unless the user clearly indicates an intent to research low-quality content.
- Quality and Credibility: Determining the quality and credibility (QC) of a website includes evaluating the clarity of purpose of the site, its usability, and presentation. QC also consists of an evaluation of the page's "authority", which includes factors such as:
- Reputation: What types of other websites link to the site? A well-known news site is considered to have a higher reputation than a brand-new blog.
- Level of discourse: Is the purpose of the content solely to cause harm to individuals or groups of people? For example, a site that promotes violence or resorts to name-calling or bullying will be considered to have a low level of discourse, and therefore lower authority, than a balanced news article.
- Level of distortion: How well does the site differentiate fact from opinion? A site that is clearly labeled as satire or parody will have more authority than one that tries to obscure its intent.
- Origination and transparency of the ownership: Is the site reporting first-hand information, or does it summarize or republish content from others? If the site doesn't publish original content, do they attribute the source? A first-hand account published on a personal blog could have more authority than unsourced content.
- User engagement: Bing also considers how users interact with search results. To determine user engagement, Bing asks questions like: Did users click through to search results for a given query, and if so, which results? Did users spend time on these search results they clicked through or quickly return to Bing? Did the user adjust or reformulate their query? For webmasters, the Bing Webmaster Dashboard provides insights into how users interact with their webpages.
- Freshness: Generally, Bing prefers fresh content. A page that consistently provides up-to-date information is considered fresh. In many cases, content produced today will still be relevant years from now. In some cases, however, content produced today will go out of date quickly.
- Location and Language: In ranking results, Bing considers the user's location (country and city), where the page is hosted, the language of the page, and the location of other visitors to the page.
- Page load time: Slow page load times can lead a visitor to leave a website, potentially before the content has even loaded, to seek information elsewhere. In most cases, Bing will consider this a poor user experience and a less helpful search result.
- Use of personal data
- Bing uses information specific to an individual user to improve relevance and performance. This information includes search history, location, language, device characteristics such as operating system or browser, and whether a user is on a mobile device, tablet, or desktop. Users can update their location, language, and other settings via Bing Settings, and delete search history on the Privacy Dashboard.
- Paid content and Microsoft-promoted content
- Websites might choose to advertise on Bing through Microsoft Advertising; paid advertisements that appear in search results are labeled as such. Bing does not allow websites to improve their organic ranking positions (the "blue links") through payment. Learn more about how paid search ads are ranked within advertising search results.
- Bing doesn't prioritize Microsoft products or services over third-party products and services in algorithmic search results. Outside of organic search results, Bing will sometimes provide a standalone answer box or banner promoting a Microsoft product or service when relevant to the search term provided.
- Nature of businesses
- The characteristics of the goods or services offered on a site don't affect how Bing ranks results, except in cases where the content is potentially offensive or harmful to a user. For example, pages offering adult content are not available when users set SafeSearch to "Strict" mode. As another example, pages promoting potentially harmful content, such as where a site promotes methods of suicide or purports to sell opioids or other potentially harmful drugs, would be considered low authority content.
Enhanced Search Experiences
- In addition to core algorithmic search functions, Bing provides users with additional features to help provide additional context and information and enhance the search experience. For example, if users want to know which team won last night's game, when users search on Bing for a team name, they're likely to see the final score and a recap at the top of the page, a snapshot with more info about the team, news, videos, and related searches along with the most relevant search results. To help users find what they are looking for more easily, we also let users narrow their search results with categories like images, videos, news, and shopping. These features also rely on the ranking principles and main parameters described above, but in some cases take additional considerations into account to provide users with the highest quality, most relevant results available. In some cases, Bing might determine that a particular search query isn't well suited for these enhanced search features, but will always make sure users can find relevant information in the blue links. More details on these features are below.
- Answers
- "Answers" are how Bing describes the enhanced search results provided often at the top or side of search results that provide richer content in response to a user's query, often with a direct answer to the question asked, or with additional related resources. For example, if a user types "How tall is the Eiffel Tower?" Bing will respond with the answer of "330 m" to enable users to quickly find the information they need, along with a sidebar pane with more information about the Eiffel Tower, including interesting facts about when it was built, where it's located, and other details. For 'these queries, Bing looks at search results across the web, returns a summarized answer, and links to its sources. Some of these answers might be powered by generative AI to provide an even richer experience, linking to key sources.
- If the query is related to a business, Bing may return relevant information about the business, such as store hours and location. Business owners can claim and verify existing listings on Bing using Bing Places for Business (available in limited markets) to create, edit or update their listing information. In some cases, Bing might partner with third-party content providers, such as local restaurant review sites, to further enhance the user experience.
- Generative AI Features
- Bing has integrated Copilot into the Bing search experience, which allows Bing users to access Copilot's generative AI features such as Designer and Copilot Pro. The conversational experiences enhance the existing Bing experience to provide users with a new type of natural language search interface, built on large language model technology. The sources Copilot uses to form its answer are derived from the same ranking of third-party search results as the main web search results page. These results are displayed clearly to the user, giving them the opportunity to dive deeper by visiting the third-party site. Based on the user query or prompt, the model might also produce output that helps inspire the user's creativity. The output can serve as the inspiration for a poem, a story, code, an essay, a song, or anything else that can be expressed in natural language or in an image, depending on the nature of a user's request.
- Bing sometimes shows LLM-generated summarized results on the top of the Bing main search results page in response to user queries, making the search experience even easier and faster. Users can still find the traditional search results layout at the lower part of the page.
- Copilot's generative AI features were developed with responsible AI in mind. Please see Our Approach to Responsible AI for more detail. User activity in these features is governed by the service's Terms of Use and Code of Conduct.
- Image and Video Experiences
- Bing's image and video experiences provide the user with image and video results relevant to their search queries, which can appear in the image and video verticals, as well as on the main search results page where image or video content is relevant to the user's query. Ranking within the image and video experiences generally relies on the same parameters as the main web search results page, i.e., relevance, quality, freshness, authority, and popularity. When a user first lands on the image or video experience homepages, prior to entering a query, the homepage will show recommended content based on prior interactions with the site, like the user's search history, engagement with image results, saved images, and, where a user allows it, Edge browsing history. Users can control this experience by deleting data used to influence personalization from their Privacy Dashboard, leveraging the consent for Microsoft Edge browsing activity for personalized advertising and experiences or, if they are not logged in, starting a new session. In some markets, Bing also offers a feature called Bing Saves that allows authenticated users to maintain collections of relevant image links. User activity in Bing Saves is governed by the Microsoft Services Agreement and Code of Conduct.
- Maps
- In the Bing Maps experience, or on the main search results page where the query indicates a location intent, users can type queries into the search bar, and the map will display a list of locations in that vicinity responsive to that search or pinpoint a particular address. Bing Maps relies on licensed and publicly available location data and uses the same ranking parameters as outlined above. Businesses can improve the accuracy of Bing Maps results by registering with Bing Places and providing up to date information for Bing users on information relevant to that business, such as location, contact information, and hours.
- News
- Bing has a dedicated news home page called Bing News, which curates news content for Bing users. Where relevant, Bing might also display a news-focused answer box on the main search results page pulling from the Bing News content.
- While Bing News relies on the same main parameters for ranking results as Bing, content that appears in Bing news search results must meet specific Bing News Publisher Guidelines, described in detail in the Bing News Publication Hub. Websites interested in being included in the Bing News index might apply through PubHub. When the same article is available both on a third-party website and on MSN.com or Microsoft Start (as Microsoft licensed content), Bing News search results might display the Microsoft Start version of that content. This enables a more consistent, higher-quality user experience. Licensed Microsoft Start content appearing in Bing is marked by the label "powered by Microsoft Start."
- Shopping
- Bing Shopping is a search feature to help users discover products from multiple sellers on a single view by returning relevant shopping results from the web and from advertisers. In some cases, the shopping experience might use generative AI tools to provide better results for users. In some instances, Microsoft might receive compensation for users who click on algorithmically generated results, but such compensation has no effect on the ranking or relevance of algorithmically generated results shown to the user.
- Bing Shopping also might provide coupons relevant to the user's query, or where a user allows, based on prior engagement with Shopping experiences. In some instances, Microsoft might receive revenue for the use of the coupons and purchases through Bing Shopping, although whether a revenue share payment will be obtained is not factored into Bing's ranking of coupons shown to users.
- Bing Shopping also offers generative AI features such as Buying Guides and Expert Review Summary / User Review Summary to further help users to efficiently make shopping decisions. These features are designed, built and tested in accordance of Microsoft Responsible AI standard. Since LLMs can occasionally make mistakes, appropriate information is provided to the users to ensure users are aware of the limitations.
- Users who allow Microsoft to collect and use personal data to personalize and advertise might see results in the Shopping vertical tailored to their interests; users can visit the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard or the Edge shopping toggle to opt-in or out of personalized ads and control the data that influences personalization.
- Safe Search
- Safety is always the top priority at Bing. We have a number of ways to help keep users safe, including always using a secure https web connection, notifying users if we think a site contains malware, letting users control what they see with SafeSearch, and by integrating with Windows Family Safety to help caregivers protect their children. Our SafeSearch feature helps keep adult content out of search results. Visit the SafeSearch setting to make changes to this experience.
- Suggestions
- Autosuggest and related suggestions ("suggestions") are query suggestions provided by Bing to help users use search and chat more conveniently. Autosuggest is a feature that helps users complete searches faster by predicting the search queries as users start to type in the query box. Related suggestions is a feature that shows topics that the users might be interested in next to search results (e.g., "People might also ask"). Bing similarly provides suggestions for conversation topics in its chat experiences.
- Suggestions are generated algorithmically and based on the popularity of related searches on Bing, along with other relevance signals such as search history, trends, location, and language. Bing's suggestions also use natural language generation technology trained on query sets to help predict a user's intended query.
Improving Search Results
- Research and Testing
- Before users ever see an improvement or new feature at Bing, we've been hard at work behind the scenes. Our researchers often recruit users to try out new features and give us their opinions. Once they're satisfied, we release the feature to a small set of real users to see how they interact with it. When it gets the green light, we release it to everyone. But it doesn't end there. After every feature is released, we regularly monitor usage and feedback to evaluate what's working and how we can improve.
- Feedback
- Your feedback helps make Bing better. At the bottom of every Bing page, you'll see a Feedback link. We don't require your name or other identifying information when you submit feedback. This information is shared with teams across Bing to improve your experience and search results. We try to read every piece of feedback you submit. Plus, we can't help but notice what users like and don't like about Bing as you use the site, such as which links you click on and which searches you have to revise to find what you are looking for, and we use that info when we are working on new or existing features.
Controls
- Bing Settings
- For many common search scenarios, such as looking for local businesses like restaurants, shops, or medical care, in order to provide useful search results, it is essential that Bing understands the user's language, location, and similar preferences. At the same time, Bing wants to make sure the user stays in control of their experience. Users can see what information Bing is using to provide relevant search results and make changes at any time in Bing Settings.
- For location, Bing will attempt to identify the area in which you are located using signals like your IP address but you also can update your preferred location at any time here. In some cases, like Maps, it might be important for Bing to understand more specifically where the user is located in order to provide location-dependent services like directions. Users can also control what specific location information is provided to Microsoft through in-product controls and their device's operating system.
- If you allow it, we use your search history to help improve results and provide more relevant search results. To control this information, see your Bing search history. [https://www.bing.com/profile/history]
- Users also can access and modify other relevant controls in the Bing Settings experience, such as SafeSearch settings, voice search controls, search suggestions, and personalization options.
- Microsoft Account
- Users logged in to their Microsoft Account also have more robust controls over their location history, search history, and other data collected by Microsoft, in the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard.
- Signing in with your Microsoft account is an easy way to manage your data and adjust controls, including targeted advertising.
- To learn more about how Microsoft uses personal data, see Microsoft's privacy policy.
Our Search Integrity
- Microsoft respects freedom of expression and the right to access information. At the same time, in accordance with Microsoft policies and principles around Responsible AI, privacy, digital safety, information integrity, and other critical issues, Bing has developed a safety system including content filtering, operational monitoring, and abuse detection to provide a safe search experience for our users.
- If Microsoft receives requests to remove content from individuals, businesses, and governments, in limited cases, where quality, safety, user demand, relevant laws, and/or public policy concerns exist, Bing might remove results, inform users of certain risks, or provide users with options for revising their content. Bing limits removal of search results to a narrow set of circumstances and conditions to avoid restricting Bing users' access to relevant information.
- Below we describe the circumstances where Bing might take action on content. When search results are removed, Bing endeavors to be transparent about removal. This includes providing users with notice of removal of search results at the bottom of the page. In addition, we publish information about search results removed by Bing as part of the Microsoft Reports Hub, including Copyright Content Removal Requests Report, Right to be Forgotten Content Removal Requests Report, and Government Requests for Content Removal Report.
- When a potential content or conduct violation on Bing is reported, a specially trained human reviewer might look at the content and conduct.
- Content Moderation Based on Legal Demands
- Certain countries have laws or regulations that apply to search service providers and require search engines to remove links to certain indexed pages from search results. Some of these laws allow specific individuals or entities to demand removal of results (such as for copyright infringement, libel, defamation, personally identifiable information, hate speech, or other personal rights), while others are administered and enforced by local governments.
- When Microsoft receives a request or demand, Bing aims to balance its support for freedom of expression and for free access to relevant content with compliance with local laws. We review and assess the request or demand, including the reason and basis for the request or demand, the authority or rights of the requesting party, our applicable policies and our commitments to our users with regard to freedom of expression, human rights, and freedom of information and determine whether and to what extent we should remove access to the content. Examples of legal request areas with global approaches are below.
- Child sexual exploitation and assault imagery and related materials
- The production and distribution of, and access to, child sexual abuse materials is universally condemned and illegal in most jurisdictions. It is also a violation of Bing and Microsoft policies. Bing works with third party technology and industry groups, law enforcement, and governmental and non-governmental organizations to help stop the spread of this horrific content online. One way we do this is by removing pages that have been reviewed by credible agencies (or identified via Microsoft PhotoDNA content detection tools) and found to contain or relate to the sexual exploitation or abuse of children.
- In particular, we remove pages from our index that have been identified by the Internet Watch Foundation (UK), NCMEC (US), and FSM (Germany) as, in their good faith judgment, hosting or providers of access to child sexual abuse material. Removing these links from displayed search results doesn't block the materials from being accessed on the web or discovered through means other than Bing, but it does reduce the availability of these pages for those who would seek it out or profit from it.
- Bing also uses PhotoDNA hash-matching technology to scan images uploaded by users in the visual search feature for potential exploitations and abuse imagery. User activity in Bing is governed by the Microsoft Services Agreement. More information about Microsoft and Bing's use of PhotoDNA and content moderation practices are available at Digital Safety Moderation and Enforcement.
- Copyright infringement
- Bing encourages respect for intellectual property rights, including copyrights, while also recognizing the rights of users to engage in uses that may be permissible under applicable copyright laws. Bing may remove from its search results links to webpages containing material infringing the rights of the owner of copyrighted content, provided we receive a legally sufficient notice of copyright infringement from the copyright owner or its authorized agent.
- If you are a rights holder and have an intellectual property concern about a website's content that is linked to by Bing, or a Bing ad, please see our Report Infringement page.
- Content Moderation Based on Quality, Safety and User Demand
- In certain circumstances relating to quality, safety, and user value, Bing might decide to remove certain results, or we might warn or educate users or provide options for tailoring results.
- Spam
- Certain pages captured in the Bing index might turn out to be pages of little or no value to users and/or can have characteristics that artificially manipulate the way search and advertising systems work in order to distort their relevance relative to pages that offer more relevant information. Some of these pages include only advertisements and/or links to other websites that contain mostly ads, and no, or only superficial, content relevant to the subject of the search. To improve the search experience for users and deliver more relevant content, Bing might remove such search results, or adjust Bing algorithms to prioritize more useful and relevant pages in search results.
- Sensitive personal information, including nonconsensual distribution of intimate images
- From time to time, webpages that are publicly available might intentionally or inadvertently contain sensitive personal information posted without the consent of the individual identified or in circumstances that create security or privacy risks. Examples include inadvertent posting of private records, private phone numbers, identification numbers and the like, or intentionally and maliciously posting email passwords, login credentials, credit card numbers, or other data intended to be used for fraud or hacking. Upon verification, Bing will remove such search results.
- Another example is when someone shares adult or sexually explicit images of another person online – whether real or a "deepfake" image that is created using AI or other photo editing tools - without that person's consent. This is commonly referred to as nonconsensual intimate imagery, or "revenge porn". Microsoft considers this to be a gross invasion of personal privacy. To help victims get back control of their images and their privacy, Bing might remove links to such photos and videos from search results. To report unauthorized online photos and videos, including deepfakes, victims should complete a form on our reporting web page.
- As noted in the reporting form, it's important to remember that information will remain available on the original website even if Bing has removed the link from search results. The website owner is in the best position to address privacy concerns about the information it publishes. Victims will need to contact owners of the website where the content is hosted to remove content from the web.
- Adult content
- Bing offers a SafeSearch feature, which allows most users to set the type of filtering for adult content that they prefer to apply to their search results. Bing endeavors to avoid delivering content that can be offensive or harmful when it wasn't requested and provides SafeSearch settings to allow users to customize their search experience. By default, in most countries or regions, SafeSearch is set to Moderate, which restricts visually explicit search results but doesn't restrict explicit text. Users can choose to change their SafeSearch settings at any time.
- Different countries or regions may have different local customs, religious or cultural norms, or local laws regarding the display of adult content (or search results accessing adult content). This might affect default SafeSearch settings for Bing in some countries.
- Illegal pharmaceuticals
- In furtherance of Bing's commitment to provide users with trustworthy search results, Bing has taken steps to minimize the likelihood that users are harmed through illegal pharmaceutical sales online. In the US, Bing blocks online pharmacies listed on the FDA's Internet Pharmacy Warning Letters site. The FDA, as the federal regulatory body for the pharmaceutical industry in the United States, maintains this public list of online pharmacies engaged in illegal and unsafe practices. The FDA has more information at BeSafeRx: Know Your Online Pharmacy.
- Public service announcements and warnings
- For some topics, it can be difficult to find quality information. When we identify these gaps, we sometimes insert helpful content so users can explore a topic faster. These can take many different forms. You might see a 'public service' answer, an answer that explains breaking news, or a warning on a particular site known to contain potentially harmful information. To ensure we are getting the details right, we always look for authoritative sources for curated and original content. If we are using a third-party source, we'll always show their name or website so you'll know where the data is coming from.
- For example, Bing provides links to suicide prevention resources when a user's query expresses a possible suicide intent. Microsoft Bing also provides warning notices on certain URLs appearing in search results where it has reliable information that the link contains possibly harmful content. Such notices appear on links to sites Microsoft Bing has determined to contain harmful malware that could damage a user's computer. Microsoft Bing also provides a warning to users in the United States on any link identified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) as a "Not Recommended Site."
- Additional Ranking Interventions
- In some cases, Bing might discover that certain search topics are returning results not in line with Bing's principles, such as where bad actors are intentionally manipulating search results to surface low authority content, exploiting a data void, or otherwise violating Bing's Webmaster Guidelines in an effort to improperly manipulate search results. Prohibited practices are described further at Webmaster Guidelines - Bing Webmaster Tools. When this occurs, Bing might apply additional algorithmic interventions to prevent users from being unexpectedly exposed to harmful or misleading content that they did not evince an intent to search for. Bing prioritizes interventions on known misinformation trends, topics where there are elevated risks of active manipulations, and areas where there are risks of harm to our users.
- While we do not remove such content entirely from our index, we apply algorithmic interventions so that users without a clear intent to find such information are protected from accidentally being presented with harmful or misleading information. Bing actively monitors manipulation trends in identified high risk areas and deploys mitigation methods as needed to ensure users are provided with high quality, high authority search results.
- Safety in Enhanced Search Features
- Moderation in Copilot in Bing
- Copilot in Bing builds on the existing Bing experience to provide users with a new search interface and conversational experience. Copilot in Bing also includes features such as Image Creator from Designer, Copilot Pro and Copilot GPTs. Content that appears in conversational search and similar features is subject to the same moderation principles as other content appearing in search results; where applicable, Bing might remove content in Copilot in Bing that is in violation of applicable laws or Microsoft policies, including the Copilot in Bing terms and Code of Conduct.
- We are constantly working to improve our search results. In some cases we might limit how we display content in conversational search or Image Creator in order to prevent users from being unexpectedly exposed to misleading or harmful information. Users can always view a full set of search results relevant to their query on the main Bing search results page.
- All inputs or data provided by users to power Copilot in Bing, as well as use of generated outputs, are subject to the Terms of Use. In certain cases, Copilot Bing may restrict access to the service to users who seriously or repeatedly violate the Terms of Use or Code of Conduct. Users can report problematic content appearing in Copilot in Bing by sending feedback using the "feedback" button which is always available at the bottom of Copilot pages, or using the Report a Concern form, which is linked from the Feedback interface and in Bing Help.
- Providing helpful search suggestions
- Bing takes steps to ensure that users are not inadvertently led to potentially harmful, offensive, or misleading content via search suggestions. We set guardrails to prevent users from unexpectedly being exposed to potentially harmful or offensive content by using a combination of proactive and reactive algorithmic and manual interventions. These interventions only apply to search suggestions; users are never prevented from manually entering a search query.
- You may turn on and off autosuggest feature in the Bing Setting page (Search - Settings (bing.com)) by selecting or unselecting the "See search suggestions as you type" checkbox.
- Reports and Appeals
- Reporting problematic content
- If you find objectionable content on Bing, report it. We value your reports and work continuously to improve your search experience.
- For webmasters: appealing webpage content removal decisions
- If Bing has removed your site or page from the index and you've addressed the issues and would like to have your site re-evaluated, you can appeal using the Bing webmaster tools. Learn more about the process.
- User Appeals
- Use of all Bing products and features are governed by Microsoft Services Agreement. Persistently engaging in activities that violate the Agreement may result in permanent suspension and/or restriction of a user's Microsoft Account.
- Users may appeal restrictions/suspensions via Bing's Report a Concern form. Bing's support team will review the decisions. If the original actions were found to have been taken in error, the actions will be reversed and the notifications will be sent to the affected users, if contact information was provided to Bing.
Transparency
- Every six months, Microsoft publishes transparency reports that include the number of requests for removal we've received in certain categories and approved during that timeframe. You can see some details about the requests in Reports Hub | Microsoft CSR.