Bing tries to trick you into thinking you’re using Google [Video]

A sneaky new behavior that Microsoft has implemented in Bing attempts to hide the fact that people are using Bing whenever they try to get to Google.

Bing is a perfectly fine search engine, but the joke is true. For many, Bing is just a way to get to Google.

In a sneaky new move, Microsoft is trying to hide that people are using Bing when they try to get to Google. The new behavior, first spotted by Windows Latest, sees Bing’s search results page very quickly scroll down just enough to hide the “Microsoft Bing” logo.

The page then adds a new search bar directly below a group of people that could easily be mistaken for a Google Doodle. There’s even a small message under the search bar, just like Google.com. If you search through this secondary search bar, that’s where the facade ends, as you’ll be directed to a typical Bing search results page. But the quick change in design is probably just enough to get someone to perform an extra search or two on Bing.

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Unless you’re looking for it, it’s not really all that hard to be fooled here, and think that you’re using Google instead of Bing, which seems to be the intention.

This happens any time that you search “Google” in Bing while not signed into a Microsoft account. We confirmed this happens through both Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome regardless of normal or private browsing modes. It only stops if you’re signed into a Microsoft account.

Update 1/15: A little over a week after the behavior was publicly called out, Microsoft has removed this misleading trick from Bing. Searching for “Google” now brings up typical Bing search results rather than mimicking Google’s design and hiding Bing branding.

Not long after the behavior was highlighted, Google’s Parisa Tabriz, from the Chrome team, called the behavior a “new low” from Microsoft.

It’s quite obvious that the target here is anyone who has Bing set as their default browser, such as anyone getting a new Windows machine.

This is a very sneaky move on Bing’s part. but just one in the latest of a long line of moves from both Microsoft and Google in the search engine battle.

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Updated on 1/15, originally posted on 1/6.