Bing, Microsoft’s search engine, is taking a leap forward in the world of artificial intelligence (AI) with its new generative search experience. This innovative approach combines Bing’s search results with the power of large and small language models (LLMs and SLMs) to generate a more efficient and user-friendly layout.
Jordi Ribas, CVP, Head of Engineering and Product for Copilot and Bing, expressed his excitement about this new development. He believes that this generative search experience is a significant step forward in the evolution of AI-powered search.
So, what exactly does this generative search experience entail? According to Microsoft, it involves understanding a search query, reviewing millions of information sources, dynamically matching content, and generating search results in a new AI-generated layout. The goal is to fulfill the intent of the user’s query more effectively.
To give us a glimpse of what this new search experience looks like, Microsoft provided a screenshot showcasing the various elements that Bing generates using AI and Bing Search. The AI-generated layout includes a document index, an answer summary, traditional search results on the right, source citations for AI-generated answers, related sections, and more.
In another example provided by Microsoft, a search for “What is a spaghetti western?” produces an AI-generated experience that delves into the film subgenre. The search results include information about the history and origins of spaghetti westerns, top examples, and additional resources for users to explore further. Despite these AI-generated elements, regular search results continue to be prominently displayed on the page.
It’s important to note that this generative search experience is currently being tested with a small set of users. Microsoft plans to take its time, gather feedback, test and learn from the trial phase before making it more broadly available to all users.
Why should we care about this new development? Well, as more search engines incorporate AI into their search algorithms and user interfaces, it could potentially impact the traffic to websites from Bing Search. Microsoft hopes that this generative search experience will lead to an increase in clickable links, such as references in the search results. However, it’s not guaranteed to have the same impact for all types of queries.
Therefore, it’s advisable for website owners to keep an eye on their Bing Webmaster Tools over time to assess any changes in their click-through rates. This new search experience is still in the testing phase and is not fully live for all searchers yet.
In conclusion, Bing’s generative search experience is an exciting development in the world of AI-powered search. By combining its search results with language models, Bing aims to provide users with a more efficient and user-friendly experience. While it’s still being tested, website owners should stay vigilant and monitor any potential impact on their click-through rates from Bing Search.
