Microsoft to start charging for access to the Bing Search API

[travelin cat]

Developers can expect subscription pricing to start at approximately $40 (USD) per month for up to 20,000 queries each month,” according to the post. However, “(d)uring the transition period, developers will be encouraged to try the Bing Search API for free on the Windows Azure Marketplace, before we begin charging for the service.

[zdnet.com...]

[Andy Langton]

One thing from their ToS may be of interest:

What you cannot do
Use API results for search engine optimization (SEO). In particular, using the API for rank checks is explicitly prohibited.

[bing.com...]

[jmccormac]

Bing just isn't good enough yet.

Regards...jmcc

[garyr_h]

@jmccormac compared to who? Bing results have surpassed G results over the passed few months and seem to be getting more traction on the market.

[jmccormac]

@garyr_h Basically it needs to improve in markets outside the US before it can really start charging.

Regards...jmcc

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

In particular, using the API for rank checks is explicitly prohibited.

Makes you wonder if doing a site:example.com search is hurting example.com in the rankings. They don't like SEOs much do they.

Anyway, its a nice offering but Bing sends too many visitors to big brand sites for the offering to be of much use to me, perhaps when they send me more visitors I'll reconsider. I do like where they are headed though.

[edited by: Sgt_Kickaxe at 6:33 am (utc) on Apr 13, 2012]

[Web_speed]

$MS_charging_for_Bing_API = "Stupid move!" ;

[jmccormac]

It is a surprise to realise that more people now hate Google than hate Microsoft. Google has become the Evil Empire. Bing is improving but it is worse than Google in country level markets outside the US. It will be interesting to see if this paid API model works for Bing.

Regards...jmcc