Microsoft continues to upgrade Bing Search service
With Microsoft’s Bing Search service incorporating OpenAI’s ChatGPT functionality, Microsoft states that users have currently amassed over half a billion chat interactions with Bing Search, and through Bing Image Creator, they have crafted in excess of 200 million images, with a daily download rate of Bing Search mobile app escalating over eightfold.
Microsoft envisages embedding Bing Search service within ChatGPT, thereby enabling the latter to harness the former’s web search capabilities for broader content discovery. During this Build 2023 event, Microsoft also announced the inclusion of Microsoft Copilot functionality in Bing Search service and, following the example set by ChatGPT, it will introduce plugin support, allowing Bing Search to augment diverse features as per user requirements.
The first wave of plugins tailored for Bing Search includes content provided by firms such as OpenTable, Wolfram Alpha, Expedia, Instacart, Kayak, Klarna, Redfin, TripAdvisor, and Zillow, thus enhancing Bing Search’s prowess in specific content domains—for instance, querying restaurant information via OpenTable service, or procuring travel accommodation information through services such as Expedia, Kayak, and TripAdvisor.
In addition, companies including Bandsintown, Bohita, Cloudflare, Coupert, Fareportal, FiscalNote, Golden, Lexi Shopper, Likewise, Notable, One Word Domains, PromptPerfect, Shopify, Skyscanner, Spotify, Spotnana, and Trip.com are endeavoring to transition their services into plugins to become functionalities within Bing Search’s suite.
As for Bing Search’s plugin content, it will be functional within Bing Chat, Windows 11, Microsoft Edge sidebar, and Bing Search mobile app, with an anticipated official launch in the ensuing weeks. For developers, Microsoft indicates that providing plugin support design for Bing Search also signifies a broader platform for developers to promote their content creation and expand their application development opportunities.
