Microsoft Bing takes on Google in search challenge

Google is so synonymous with search that when people get ready to search for something they say they're going to "Google it." Microsoft wants people to "Bing it" instead. The company's Bing search engine, a distant runner-up in search despite garnering good reviews, is kicking off a new Bing It On side-by-search challenge reminiscent of the Coke vs. Pepsi taste tests.

Microsoft claims people chose Bing nearly 2:1 over Google in an online study that it commissioned (via an independent research company called Answers Research). As part of the test, folks were shown the main search results of both Google and Bing for 10 queries of their choice, with all branding removed from both search engines. The test removed the ads and content in other parts of the page, meaning no Bing Snapshot and Social Search results or Google's Knowledge Graph. Of the near than 1,000 participants, 57.4% preferred Bing, 30.2% Google with the rest resulting in a draw. Head to Bingiton.com to try the test yourself.