Microsoft accused of making Bing look just like Google search — and Google fires back

Bing vs Google
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Microsoft really wants you to use Bing to find stuff on the web, but users seem to really want to use Google to find websites and other content. So, it appears Microsoft has landed on a new trick to get people to use its tool: when you search for Google on Bing, the results page changes to look more like Google's famous white website. Which could be read as trying to spoof some users into thinking they're on Google.

If you look at your address bar, you can see that you're still on Bing, but it would be easy to fall for this trick if you're not paying attention. Thankfully, searching on Bing instead of Google won't make anything bad happen to your computer, except for getting different results than you might be used to.

To trigger the Google result, you must use Bing without logging into a Microsoft account (as first noted by WindowsLatest). The Google result has a search bar, an image that looks suspiciously like a Google Doodle, and even some tiny text under the bar, creating a Google-like design.

Bing looking like Google search

(Image credit: Future)

The correct results appear under the Google-like search bar, so you can still get to Google through Bing if you want. Or you could just type Google.com into your address bar to avoid unnecessary steps.

For its part, Google seems to be taking Microsoft's new tactic in stride. Google's Parisa Tabriz said in an X post, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but Microsoft spoofing the Google homepage is another tactic in its long history of tricks to confuse users & limit choice,” says Tabriz. “New year; new low Microsoft."

This is far from the first time Microsoft has tried to trick users away from Google. In fact, The Verge is cataloging every tactic the company has used over the years, and it's a long list. Some highlights include modifying Chrome download sites, injecting polls into Chrome download pages and more.

More from Tom's Guide

TOPICS
Dave LeClair
Senior News Editor

Dave LeClair is the Senior News Editor for Tom's Guide, keeping his finger on the pulse of all things technology. He loves taking the complicated happenings in the tech world and explaining why they matter. Whether Apple is announcing the next big thing in the mobile space or a small startup advancing generative AI, Dave will apply his experience to help you figure out what's happening and why it's relevant to your life.

Read more
ChatGPT on phone with Google logo in background
New study reveals people are ditching Google for AI tools like ChatGPT search — here's why
Google Search
Bring back Google’s old-school search results with this one simple hack
Young woman shouting at her smartphone.
Google's AI overviews can be bypassed with this simple trick — but it's NSFW
A laptop displaying the Chrome logo
Don't click this — malicious ads impersonating Google Chrome spreading dangerous malware
A hacker typing quickly on a keyboard
Hackers are posing as Apple and Google to infect Macs with malware — don’t fall for these fake browser updates
Hooded cybercriminal sitting with laptop surround by hooks
New report details the brands that scammers like to impersonate most — and you'll definitely guess who's at the top
Latest in Search Engines
Google logo on the side of its HQ
Google is refusing to comply with upcoming EU fact-checking laws — what we know
Bing vs Google
Microsoft accused of making Bing look just like Google search — and Google fires back
Google search open on laptop
You can limit your Google searches to a single website — here's how
Chrome browser on phone with Chrome logo in the background
DOJ will reportedly force Google to sell Chrome — what you need to know
Google Shopping feeds on phones
Google gives Google Shopping an AI makeover — here's what's new
Google search on a phone screen
Google Search has a new trick up its sleeve — and it might save you from fake AI images
Latest in News
Google Chromecast
Google has a fix for broken Chromecasts as long as you didn't factory reset
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Friday, March 14 (#642)
Nvidia ACE
I played with Nvidia's AI NPC prototypes — now they're real, and I fear I'll never finish a game again
iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Biggest rumored differences
Intel CPU
Intel's Panther Lake appears in public for the first time — what we know about the new chip
OnePlus Pad 2 with keyboard
OnePlus Pad 2 Pro specs leak — this tablet is a beast