AI chatbot According to Microsoft (2025), Bing is a comprehensive, AI-powered search and answer engine that provides a different and more creative search experience. The most central feature is Copilot Search, which uses AI to provide quick, summarized answers with cited sources and suggestions for further exploration. This is designed to simplify research by curating information into an easy-to-read format at the top of the search results page, eliminating the need for users to browse through multiple websites. Copilot Search also supports conversational queries, allowing users to ask complex questions and follow up with more nuanced inquiries.

Beyond traditional search, Bing offers a suite of AI-powered creative tools. The Image Search feature is described as an advanced tool for finding a vast collection of high-quality images, with filters for specific themes, colors, and layouts. The new Bing Video Creator enables users to generate free, stunning five-second videos from a simple text prompt. Similarly, the Image Creator allows for the generation of visuals directly from the Microsoft Edge browser's address bar. This feature, which uses the DALL-E 3 model, lets users create images by simply typing "create an image of..." in the search bar.

Bing's functionality is deeply integrated with the Microsoft ecosystem. Microsoft Edge is highlighted as the best browser for Bing, offering a faster and smarter experience with enhanced privacy. The integration allows for unique features, such as the ability to generate images directly from the address bar. The Bing Wallpaper app brings the breathtaking daily backgrounds from the Bing homepage to the user's desktop, automatically refreshing the wallpaper with stunning landscapes and landmarks from around the world. Users can customize their experience by saving favorites or letting Bing surprise them with new images each day.

Finally, Bing incentivizes its usage through the Microsoft Rewards program. By signing in with a Microsoft account, users can earn points for their searches, which can then be redeemed for various rewards like gift cards, charitable donations, and more. This program adds a tangible benefit to using Bing for everyday searches. Overall, the combination of a powerful AI assistant, creative generation tools, seamless integration with the Microsoft ecosystem, and a rewarding points program aims to make Bing a standout and innovative search engine.

According to a review by Leslie, C. (2024) published in the Common Sense Education website, Bing is presented as an alternative to Google for searching the internet, offering a different way for users to find information. The platform is free and available on multiple platforms including Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and the web.

From a learning perspective, Bing's different search methodology can be beneficial for students, as it encourages them to develop critical-thinking skills by formulating effective questions and using precise search terms. However, a significant drawback is its limited filtering capabilities, which do not reliably block inappropriate content, especially when users employ creative search terms. The review notes that teachers and parents must be vigilant to ensure a safe searching environment. The built-in filters are insufficient, and the "lock" on these filters can be circumvented as it relies on self-reported age. While Microsoft provides parental controls through services like Windows Live Family Safety, these are not fully integrated into the Bing app itself.

The tool is not specifically designed for children; it is a general-purpose search engine. It is considered a potentially great tool for learning, but it necessitates careful supervision from tech-savvy adults. Despite being a powerful tool, the Bing search app lacks a built-in tutorial to teach users how to operate it effectively. However, the review suggests it is more intuitive to use than Google's search app.

The review also highlights that Bing's design, while unique and easy to use, can be a source of distraction. The search results tend to be more consumer-based compared to Google's, which can lead to irrelevant and distracting content. The overall learning rating is a three out of five, with the reviewer noting that while the internet is an inherent learning tool, Bing itself has no specific pedagogical features or support functions, aside from its intuitive interface. The community rating is based on just one review. The privacy rating is 77% with a "Warning," indicating a concern.

A tech blogger called Panos Sakalakis (2024) spent a month using Bing as his primary search engine and chatbot to see if it could be a viable alternative to Google. In his review he states that he found that Bing's initial search results were different and took some getting used to, especially for finding his favorite websites (Sakalakis, P., 2024). He praised Bing's visually appealing homepage with its daily changing wallpapers, but disliked the intrusive news feed.

Sakalakis identified two major flaws with Bing: its poor performance with non-English languages and its lack of built-in tools and comprehensive business listings that Google provides. However, he was very impressed with Bing's performance in specific areas, such as searching for recipes, images, and TV shows, where he felt its design and presentation were superior to Google's.

The most significant advantage Bing had was its integrated AI, Copilot, which he found to be "amazingly helpful" for providing quick, summarized answers directly within the search results.

In his conclusion, Sakalakis stated that while Google remains the best for business and local searches, Bing is a strong and effective alternative for specific purposes like entertainment and recipes. He now uses both search engines, leveraging each for its unique strengths.

Finally, according to Forlini (2023), 

Microsoft has updated its Bing search engine with a generative AI feature dubbed Bing Chat. It provides a paragraph summary in response to your queries, powered by OpenAI’s powerful GPT-4 AI model, and lets you continue asking follow-up questions to refine the result. While this concept is similar to competitors ChatGPT and Google Bard, Bing Chat differentiates itself with its consistent source citations, making it the most trustworthy of the three. You can always click a footnote to vet the information or continue researching on your own.

Bing Chat also has drawbacks. It tends to give dry, occasionally inaccurate answers and it has bothersome ads in some results. ChatGPT beats it out as a creative writing companion, while Google Bard offers more helpful export options and eye-catching image responses. Additionally, Bing Chat works best in Microsoft Edge or the Bing mobile app, a hindrance to anyone who's a devotee of a different browser. 

• Generate content:

  • Type a prompt in the chat box describing the content you want to create.

  • Use the "Compose" feature to write content by setting a tone, format, and length.

• Review and curate the material until it meets your standards.

Forlini (2023), Microsoft Bing Chat. PCMag Australia. https://au.pcmag.com/ai/101166/microsoft-bing-chat

González, X (2023). Entrevista al chat de Bing. https://xgonzalez.com/entrevista-al-chat-de-bing/

Leslie, C. (2024). Bing Review for Teachers | Common Sense Education. Common Sense Education. https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/bing

Microsoft. (2025). Microsoft Bing | Get to know Bing. Microsoft.com. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/bing?form=MA13QZ&cs=4112006293

Sakalakis, P. (2024). 1 Month of Using Bing: Is it a good Google alternative? TechWise Insider. https://techwiseinsider.com/1-month-of-using-bing-google-alterna

Notes:

• All the work has been checked against language mistakes with Gemini: Gemini Advanced [Large language model]. Retrieved November, 7, 2025, from https://gemini.google.com 

• The images in the tutorial are screenshots from Bing.