I’ve used Google for years, dating back to my early days on the web. I’m trying to recall how I found the search giant.  It was before I went to college. I previously used Altavista and Yahoo! in my early days on the web. From what inkling I do have of early Google, comes from a need to find specific sources of information, namely for research papers. I recall finding it relevant and easy to use. And for years those qualities kept me at the side of the search giant. Google got the job done.

As time drew on, Google was simple, effective and taught me things about the world. I loved it. I learned most of my internet marketing from articles and videos found through Google. I’ve discovered favorite blogs, taught myself about immigration law, researched the Philippines prior to a two week stint abroad, and performed thousands of other queries. Google always led me to great content that I would have never found on my own.

I used to swear by the search engine. How could anyone do better? I knew they couldn’t so I rarely even tried other engines. As someone working in local SEO, I’m realizing the error of my ways. I need to see how the competition does search.

Enter Bing

Two weeks ago I set my default search browser to Bing. I faltered a bit though. At one point in the experiment, I needed to research a relatively complex problem I was experiencing with a Drupal install. I needed to find the answer and I returned to Google to find it. I tried to find the answer using Bing, but my initial queries led me to the wrong content and misunderstood the phrase I was using to define the problem.

Google understood my plight. They found the answer while Bing led me in circles. I switched my default browser back at that point. I figured why drown in a sea of irrelevancy when Google gets me there without confusion.

It took a week for me to forget (or was it forgive) Bing. I returned in a particularly good mood. The searches I’ve run since my return have been fairly simple ones, nothing complex or inherently confusing. And Bing has actually proven to be useful. The experience has been pleasing. In fact, I’m happy using Bing as my go-to browser now.

Bing is that friend I thought I had lost. Sure he has problems, but he’s likely going to help when you need him.

Tyranny from the Throne

I wrote that phrase in regards to Google’s recent happenings with the Search Plus Your World update. So Google+ posts rank better than the original content if that content was shared on the social network. At every turn lately, Google seems to be mucking up the search results with irrelevant results. They’re doing it because they have the majority of searches, they have the momentum, and they believe themselves to be invincible.

It’s now been two solid weeks of having Bing as my default browser. I use it at work and at home. I’ve rarely gone back to do a search in Google for anything other than SEO needs.

Bing does a lot of great things. They have a very well thought out approach to content inside the engine. They offer much in the way of guides, like video game guides or even travel related stuff. Although I’ve not used these as much as intended outside the Discover feature.

It’s been an interesting experiment. One that might net me a few Microsoft points, a free month of Hulu, or some other prize through their rewards program. Most importantly the search engine takes me to content I wouldn’t otherwise be able to find.

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