Microsoft will launch a new, AI-powered search engine that people can chat with, ask questions, or even use to create content.
We learned this today from Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate Vice President & Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, Microsoft today at a special Microsoft press event in Redmond. I’m live in attendance, along with Search Engine Land Editor Nicole Farley.
Below is our live, ongoing coverage. The fastest way for me to get this news to you is to post this on Twitter.
ChatGPT coming to search. A month ago, we reported that Microsoft was planning to add ChatGPT to search. But now it’s been confirmed by Microsoft. Bing will be using a new ChatGPT designed for search.
Microsoft said this version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT is faster, more accurate and customized specifically for search, using GPT-3.5.
New homepage. We reported on Microsoft Bing’s ChatGPT interface being spotted in the wild, but here is Microsoft officially unveiling the new Bing homepage:
With the new homepage, Bing greets searchers with the message “Ask me anything.” Bing tells searchers they can ask questions and get complete answers.
Core search changes. Microsoft also announced new core search index improvements. The company said it applied AI to Bing’s core search ranking engine and the result was a huge improvement in relevancy.
What Bing’s search results look like. Here’s our first look at what the new Bing search results incorporating ChatGPT will look like:
The results appear on the right side of the search results page and include annotations that cite sources.
It can provide more “real-time” answers, using the Bing index:
Microsoft admitted that these results won’t always be perfect, which is why there will be feedback links.
You can also switch between search and chat:
Bing can also create content and inspiration. Here’s what that looks like:
Bing can rewrite code from one language to another. Here’s what that looks like:
Prometheus model. Microsoft said it is using its Prometheus model to power these AI integrations. Microsoft said the model helps:
- Improve relevancy
- Annotate answers
- Provide up-to-date results
- Understand geolocation
- Increase safety
Why we care. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella opened the event by calling these incredibly exciting times. And he’s right. They are. We are watching AI technology reshape, perhaps even “revolutionize” search. The addition of AI by Google and Microsoft Bing will have major implications for everyone in search marketing.
Half of people’s searches go unanswered. According to Microsoft:
- “There are 10 billion search queries a day, but we estimate half of them go unanswered. That’s because people are using search to do things it wasn’t originally designed to do. It’s great for finding a website, but for more complex questions or tasks too often it falls short.”
Some interesting stats from Microsoft and context on why it’s time for a “new approach” with search:
- 40% of queries result in someone clicking back.
- Most searches are three keywords or less.
- 50,000 people’s searches go unanswered.
Preview. Microsoft said it will be previewing the new Bing today on desktop, where you can do some sample queries and sign-up to get on the waitlist. More people will get the preview in the coming weeks. You can try to gain access yourself at bing.com/new.
Read Bing’s announcement Reinventing search with a new AI-powered Microsoft Bing and Edge, your copilot for the web.
More in my Twitter thread:
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About the author
Barry Schwartz a Contributing Editor to Search Engine Land and a member of the programming team for SMX events. He owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics. Barry can be followed on Twitter here.
