Microsoft 'Bing it On': Take the Test

Microsoft has launched a new advertising campaign designed to draw web searchers away from Google and towards the Redmond, Washington-based firm's own Bing search engine.

Dubbed "Bing It On," the campaign gives users the ability to find out which search service they like better: Google or Bing.

Microsoft started the campaign with the new website "bingiton.com". The site asks visitors to enter five search terms. When they do, it presents them with the top results from both Bing and Google, side-by-side.

The user is then asked to pick which results page they prefer.

Microsoft Unveils Search Engine Taste Test

However, users of "bingiton.com" won't know whether they've chosen a Bing or Google results page until they have completed the five search queries.

In essence, it's the search industry equivalent of the classic Pepsi vs. Coke taste test advertisement.

I performed the Bing vs. Google search test using the following search terms: 'hockey,' 'video games,' 'coffee,' 'computers,' and 'Volkswagen'. My test resulted in a draw, with two of my picks going to Bing and two to Google. (I rated the 'coffee' search results as a draw).

Once you have completed the test, you can invite your friends to try it out, or go for a rematch. (Source: bingiton.com)

Twice as Many Users Choose Bing, Microsoft Says

Although my own results failed to reveal huge differences between the two search engines, Microsoft insists that nearly twice as many people who take the test choose Bing over Google.

Microsoft says the "Bing It On" campaign is just one part of a new crusade designed "to encourage searchers to give Bing a chance." (Source: pcmag.com)

For those who haven't heard about the campaign, you're about to become very familiar with the idea: Microsoft says it will begin rolling out Internet and television advertisements in the next few months.

However, the software giant's search engine has a great deal of ground to make up on Google.

Recent statistics from comScore show that Google accounts for just under 67 per cent of all web searches in the United States. Microsoft search sites are used for roughly 16 per cent of the total, with Yahoo (13 per cent), Ask (3.1 per cent) and AOL (1.5 per cent) rounding out the top five.