Google Sting Exposes "Copying" by Bing

[rogerd]

Google has run a sting operation that it says proves Bing has been watching what people search for on Google, the sites they select from Google’s results, then uses that information to improve Bing’s own search listings. Bing doesn’t deny this.

As a result of the apparent monitoring, Bing’s relevancy is potentially improving (or getting worse) on the back of Google’s own work. Google likens it to the digital equivalent of Bing leaning over during an exam and copying off of Google’s test. [searchengineland.com...]

[victor]

If the only signal Bing has for a query is WWGD (What would Google Do?), then Bing is clearly copying Google for that query.

If there are multiple signals, including Google, and Bing combines them in a value-added way, then it is not copying, it is innovating.

[Rlilly]

The only thing Google proved here is a way to spam Bing! Like someone said on MC blog. "20 Google guys sent Bing the Data"....

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

If this is spin and in the public domain then Google may find that all they have done is tell a few people that there is such a thing as Bing. :)

[trillianjedi]

If this is spin and in the public domain then Google may find that all they have done is tell a few people that there is such a thing as Bing.

".....and there's no point even looking at it, because the results are the same and big bad Microsoft do much evil"

Yep, could swing both ways of course. Dangerous game, very dangerous.

Mind you, that just makes it interesting to watch it play out over the next few months ;)

[jNorth]

i think you are all missing the point -> ms sux