Update 1/15 — Microsoft has put an end to its antics. The fake Google interface displayed in Bing has been removed as quietly as it appeared. When they typed “Google” into Microsoft’s search engine, Bing presented them with a page that looked a lot like Google’s… While Microsoft (wisely) declined to comment, the story didn’t fall on deaf ears at Google.
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but Microsoft’s mimicking of Google’s homepage is another tactic in its long history of tricking users and limiting their choices,” lamented Parisa Tabriz, the boss of Chrome.
Original article, 06/01 — Microsoft would love for you to use Bing. Microsoft would also love for you to stop using Bing to search for Google. And the Redmond firm may have found a rather vicious solution to achieve its ends. When you search for Google in Bing, Microsoft’s search engine adapts the interface of its search results to pretend to be Google.
Microsoft’s dishonest method to keep you on Bing
On Windows, users who have the audacity to use Microsoft Edge and its default search engine to search for Google are entitled to preferential treatment. As spotted by Windows Latest, Microsoft is adapting the interface of Bing’s search results based on what you’re looking for.
When you run a random query from Edge’s address bar, Bing’s interface is the familiar one, with the Microsoft Bing logo pinned to the top left, the search box at the top of the window, and the search results below.
On the other hand, if you type Google in the address bar of Microsoft Edge, the Bing search results interface is no longer the same at all. To make you believe that you have arrived on Google's search engine, Bing first displays in large, an interface that looks very similar to that of Google. A large format, centered image, which resembles the traditional Google doodle, and the search field grafted just below.
And a very discreet mention "Promoted by Microsoft" at the top left of the window. The link displayed by Bing in its search results and which allows access to Google is relegated to the bottom of the window. Microsoft has even gone so far as to hide the Bing search field, which comes out of hiding as soon as you start scrolling down the page.
Microsoft is taking advantage of the fact that you are searching for Google on Bing (from the Edge address bar) to display a small self-promotion page. This "interface" that mimics Google's is indeed an ad, a clever choice on the part of Microsoft, but which remains questionable since its only goal is to deceive you into staying on Bing.
Source: Windows Latest
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