Is Bing Using Google to Perform Searches?

[T-Rexx]

Google executives say they have suspected for some time now that Microsoft's Bing search engine is actually using Google to look up information. Bing then returns the Google results to the searcher under the Bing name.

To catch Microsoft in the act, Google set up a few "honeypots." They invented random words like "mbzrxpgjys" and "indoswiftjobinproduction" and "hiybbprqag." They first confirmed that searching for these terms on Google returned no results whatsoever. Google then internally linked the made-up words with some unrelated thing. For example, "mbzrxpgjys" was linked to Research in Motion's web site, "indoswiftjobinproduction" was linked to the Food Network's Sandra Lee Recipes, and "hiybbprqag" was linked to "The Wiltern seating chart." After Google made the internal links, then searching Google for "mbzrxpgjys" would return Research in Motion's web site and nothing else, since the random word was linked by Google only to RIM and nothing else.

Then, Google employees searched for their made-up words on Bing. Look what happened:

When questioned about this by ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft issued a bizarre statement:

“We use multiple signals and approaches in ranking search results. The overarching goal is to do a better job determining the intent of the search so we can provide the most relevant answer to a given query. Opt-in programs like the toolbar help us with clickstream data, one of many input signals we and other search engines use to help rank sites,” said Stefan Weitz, Director, Bing.

When asked by Mary Jo what that meant, Microsoft clarified:

“We do not copy Google’s results.”

However, Microsoft has offered no explanation as to how their search engine is copying random links internal and unique to Google.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-we-do-not-copy-googles-results/8557?tag=nl.e589

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

gons read it

one do a worry fa future when past ans present clear

interestin thread!

 

[gingentleman]

I smell a lawsuit in the offing...

 

[T-Rexx]

More information is coming out about how Microsoft (likely) did it.

It seems that Internet Explorer and/or the Bing Toolbar report back to Microsoft what terms you are searching on Google, what sites you click on from the Google results, and in what order ( ! ). Microsoft then uses that information to adjust what sites Bing returns for what searches, in an attempt to make Bing more Google-like (at least for certain searches).

Evidently, you agree to let Microsoft spy on you like this when you install Internet Explorer or the Bing Toolbar. Google likens it to a student copying test results by looking over the shoulder of another student.

“I’ve got no problem with a competitor developing an innovative [search] algorithm. But copying is not innovation, in my book,” says Google Fellow Amit Singhal

Evidently, it is possible to opt out of Microsoft's spyware, but most people don't, because most people don't even know that Microsoft is recording everything they do online.


http://searchengineland.com/google-bing-is-cheating-copying-our-search-results-62914

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

since many centurys this

mays a be humans of cultures likes gets manipulates ans etc by
cause business so easy go do behind da mirrors

sad lot

 

[Paws]

Not only it shows that Microsoft copied search results, but that Google can fake the search results of our searches on their search engine anytime too

 

[Keelandson]

Evil is as evil does. Whatever that means. But it's Microsoft, so who's surprised?

I shall remain pure by keeping my computer Microsoft-free.

 

[Corny]

Not only it shows that Microsoft copied search results, but that Google can fake the search results of our searches on their search engine anytime too

no shit sherlock. next time you tell us that they even control the search algorithm itself. on THEIR search engine

 

[Luke Lighthart]

google secretly owns microsoft? It's been google all along?

 

[AussieGuy91]

I thought I heard something like this a few days ago, can't say I'm surprised

 

[altlover85]

google secretly owns microsoft? It's been google all along?

No. I don't think that was the point of the thread. Microsoft is copying Google.

 

[T-Rexx]

What I find even more alarming than Microsoft's willingness to unapologetically copy Google is the fact that their software is phoning home to MS just about everything you are doing on line!

I try to keep my PC a Microsoft-free zone. And Microsoft keeps reinforcing for me the wisdom of that policy.

 

[cityboy-stl]

Google didn't conduct a very good test if they used Internet Explorer. They should use different computers for each part of the test with Firefox or Opera or their own Chrome on a Linux OS. Then see how far MS can track the searches.

 

[JB3]

What I find even more alarming than Microsoft's willingness to unapologetically copy Google is the fact that their software is phoning home to MS just about everything you are doing on line!

I try to keep my PC a Microsoft-free zone. And Microsoft keeps reinforcing for me the wisdom of that policy.

That's not actually true. In order for Microsoft to get this data, the user has to opt in.

 

[Corny]

^ from what I got, it's enough to install the live toolbar.
Sure, it's in the fineprint somwhere. But users who install such a crapbar won't read that anyway

 

[T-Rexx]

That's not actually true. In order for Microsoft to get this data, the user has to opt in.

^ from what I got, it's enough to install the live toolbar.
Sure, it's in the fineprint somwhere. But users who install such a crapbar won't read that anyway

Yes, according to this, the default for the Bing toolbar is to opt-in to Microsoft spying on you. So, although Microsoft characterizes their spyware as strictly an opt-in process, in fact you must specifically opt-out if you don't want them spying on everything you do.

Since nobody ever actually reads the EULAs, pretty much everybody gets opted into the spyware program by default.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

sad is states ans affairs so customs companys make

whens enuff keep

humanity in chains