Microsoft has long been trying to convince users to switch from Google’s services to its own offerings, like Bing and Edge. However, it seems the company is now taking things to a new level by making subtle changes to its search engine that closely resemble Google’s design. The latest tactic involves Bing displaying a page that looks surprisingly similar to Google’s homepage when users search for “Google,” possibly tricking them into continuing their search on Bing instead.
According to Windows Latest, this change appears to target people who open Microsoft Edge and immediately type “Google” into the search bar. Rather than simply taking users to Google, Bing now presents a page with a large search box at the top—almost identical to the one on Google’s homepage. However, this is still a Bing search page, and entering a query will lead to Bing’s search results, not Google’s.
A “Google-Like” Experience on Bing
When you search for “Google” on Bing, the results page will feature a search box that looks strikingly similar to Google’s. Yet, despite the visual resemblance, it is still a Bing search bar. When users type a query into this box, they are directed to Bing’s results, not Google’s.
Upon testing this feature, it becomes clear that Microsoft’s intention is to deceive users. The layout changes slightly, shifting the actual Bing search bar and categories lower down the page, making the design look even more like Google’s. Small branding elements, like a banner promoting Microsoft’s rewards program, are the only giveaways that this is still Bing.
You can close the misleading search box by clicking the “X” at the top-right corner. However, if you visit Bing in an Incognito window, the fake Google page reappears. Notably, this trick only happens when you search for Google; other search engines like Yahoo or DuckDuckGo don’t trigger the same behavior.
Microsoft’s Long-Standing Effort to Overtake Google
Microsoft’s ongoing struggle to challenge Google’s dominance in the search and browser markets is no secret. Over the years, the company has tried various strategies to persuade users to abandon Google’s offerings in favor of its own. For example, Microsoft has:
– Displayed advertisements on Google Chrome’s download page, urging users to reconsider.
– Forced certain links to open in Edge, even when a user has set a different default browser.
– Automatically imported users’ Chrome browsing data into Edge without their permission.
Despite these efforts, Microsoft has had little success in convincing users to switch. Chrome remains the top browser, and Google Search continues to dominate. The new tactic of mimicking Google’s homepage in Bing seems like an attempt to create a sense of familiarity—or even confusion—among users who regularly search for Google before they start browsing.
Google Responds to Microsoft’s Deceptive Tactic
Google has not stayed silent about Microsoft’s new strategy. The company quickly called out Microsoft’s deceptive move, with Parisa Tabriz, Google’s Vice President of Chrome, posting a message on X (formerly Twitter).
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but Microsoft spoofing the Google homepage is another tactic in its long history of tricks to confuse users and limit choice,” Tabriz wrote. “New year; new low, @Microsoft.”
This is not the first time Google has criticized Microsoft’s practices. The rivalry between the two tech giants is intensifying, with Microsoft aggressively pushing Bing and Edge, while Google maintains its dominance in both search and browser markets.
