I, along with a bunch of my other Alt Summit blogging friends, am participating in a little challenge. It’s an interwebz challenge that appeals to my nerdy techie tendencies: Bing vs. Google.
I’ve installed a browser plugin because that’s where I typically enter my search terms, so I’ll be using Bing as my default search engine all week long (instead of… you know). I’ve also made Bing.com my homepage for the week, and I’ve installed their iPhone app. I’ll be posting an update on Friday, before my usual weekly Honor Roll post to share the results, good or bad. Apparently, people prefer Bing to Google 2:1 in blind tests, so I’m curious to see how the switch will pan out. You can join us too if you’re up for a little experiment, and we’ll discuss next Friday.
This post is brought to you by Alt Summit and their partner Bing. I’m taking the Bing It On challenge this week.
Megan
October 23, 2012 at 1:05 amI tried the bing it on challenge and Google won every time. I tried an experiment and I’d click their suggestions for search ideas and THEN Bing would win. I tried this several times and found the same results.
I find that a little disingenuous
Making it Lovely
October 23, 2012 at 12:33 pmMy results were mixed, and so far I’m finding that I like Bing better for certain things and not as much for others.
M.E.
October 23, 2012 at 7:50 amDon’t typically mind sponsored posts but when they aren’t even relevant to design it’s very noticeable and annoying.
Nicole
October 23, 2012 at 8:24 amI found that when searching for images Google won hands down. I haven’t tried it otherwise, interested to see how it works out. I agree with another comment, the amount of sponsors and ads have really gone up in Google. Even on Google maps, it’s amazing the indirect routes Google maps gives in a city…
jenn aka the picky girl
October 23, 2012 at 8:29 amI keep seeing those commercials and just sort of wondering HOW it’s possible that people choose Bing. I absolutely hate it. The computers in my classroom have Bing as the default for one of the browsers, and occasionally I forget and enter my search there. Ugh. Not a fan.
I’ll be curious to see what you think after a week.
Jessica
October 23, 2012 at 8:57 amThe blog has come to this? I just hope this isn’t a regular occurrence. You have been highly sponsored lately and rarely by relevant companies (cool whip, water bottles?) but this post is not even relevant to design as someone else mentioned… it’s pure advertisement. As a regular reader, I am a little disappointed.
Making it Lovely
October 23, 2012 at 12:35 pmJessica, thanks for your feedback. Since I work all day on the internet, and so many of my readers are similarly invested, I hope that this will be relevant for a lot of people. I’ll still have plenty of design content coming up too though.
Ryan
October 23, 2012 at 9:38 amMaybe everyone who has a problem with sponsored posts would rather pay a daily fee to read Making it Lovely so that Nicole can continue to provide content and making a living? Yeah, I didn’t think so.
Jessica
October 23, 2012 at 11:33 amIt’s not like those are the only options. She makes money by ads on the side and from more subtle sponsors and many other ways. No I would not pay to see this, but really most people would not pay to read blogs. There are plenty of successful bloggers who don’t dedicate a whole post to a giant advertisement that even promises more posts to come about the topic. I am resting my case here because this is silly to go on about. Just stating an opinion. Nichole clearly will do what she needs to do for whatever her reasons are. It isn’t an attack on her. Just stating my opinion.
Carolyn
October 23, 2012 at 11:36 amI’m excited you will be at Alt Summit! I’ve entered the Kollabora/Bernina DIY challenge to win a registration slot! The most “pin-worthy” wins. I’d truly appreciate it if you’d check out my project and re-pin if you like what you see! Attending Alt Summit would be truly invaluable to me. Thanks.
http://pinterest.com/pin/193303008977509690/
Christina W.
October 23, 2012 at 2:58 pmI always thought of the Bing search bar as virus central. Just try and get rid of it, it’s nigh impossible! I love Google for the simple fact that since I use Chrome, my address bar is also a Google search bar.
Yelle
October 23, 2012 at 4:14 pmI’m such a creature of habit (Google for year!) I don’t know if I could do this!
Laura
October 23, 2012 at 7:58 pmHello! Two things…
1) I did the Bing challenge and Google won!
2) As a very long time reader I just want you to know that I don’t mind sponsored posts one bit. I really love your blog and something like this would never cause me to stop reading. :)
Alex
October 24, 2012 at 4:55 amAs I follow Alt Summit news, I heard about Bing a lot lately but I haven’t try it till now. I’m looking forward to read about your opinion next friday.
Alex.
Caroline
October 24, 2012 at 1:29 pmI’ll admit, I’m skeptical of those Bing commercials. But, I shouldn’t talk. The only time I’ve ever used Bing was because Google was experiencing a rare down server. Oi. That was a scary time.
p.s. I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong with these sponsored posts. You’re running a BUSINESS and doing it in a way that is admirable and enviable. You go girl, srsly.
jess
October 24, 2012 at 3:19 pmI’m skeptical of this “2:1 preference” claim. I took the challenge a few times and I choose google over bing 4:1.
Megan
October 24, 2012 at 7:49 pmI have to concur with everyone else’s results. When I take the quiz, Google wins every time.
Audrey
October 24, 2012 at 8:05 pmI need no quiz. My work computer only has Internet Explorer, and it only had Bing as a search engine (and no way to unlock others). I lost about twenty minutes a day looking at awful search results through Bing (before giving up and going to Google.com). When the office got an upgrade (and unlocked search engines), my day seemed strangely less stressful. Amazing.
Pheebs
October 26, 2012 at 1:27 pmI also hate Bing, so, so much! I do agree, though, that these sponsored posts would not put me off reading your brilliant blog.
The Bing it On Report | Making it Lovely
October 27, 2012 at 11:52 pm[…] in a challenge with several other bloggers, in partnership with Alt Summit. It has been a week of searching with Bing instead of Google, and today it’s time for the report. Did you try it out too? I use my browser’s […]