Bing Unveils AI-Powered Generative Search Experience

Since the introduction of LLM-powered chat answers on Bing in February of last year, Microsoft has been diligently working to revolutionize search. Trusted by hundreds of millions of users for information and answers, Bing is now unveiling an early view of its new generative search experience, currently available to a small percentage of user queries.

Combining AI with Search Results

By integrating generative AI and large language models (LLMs) with traditional search results, Bing's generative search creates bespoke and dynamic responses to user queries. For instance, a search for "What is a spaghetti western?" will yield an AI-generated experience detailing the film subgenre's history, top examples, and origins. This information is presented clearly, with links and sources for further exploration, while traditional search results remain prominently displayed.

Enhanced Search Layout

This new search experience leverages both large and small language models (LLMs and SLMs). It comprehends the search query, reviews millions of information sources, dynamically matches content, and generates an AI-powered search layout that better fulfills the user's intent.

Optimized Accuracy and Web Traffic

Bing has refined its methods to optimize accuracy, applying these insights to its evolving use of LLMs in search. Microsoft is closely monitoring how generative search impacts traffic to publishers. Early data suggests that this experience maintains website clicks and supports a healthy web ecosystem. The design retains traditional search results and increases the number of clickable links, such as references in the results.

User Feedback and Future Developments

This marks another significant step in evolving Bing's search experience. Microsoft is rolling out this feature slowly, gathering feedback, testing, learning, and working to create an optimal experience before broader availability. Users are encouraged to provide feedback using the thumbs up and thumbs down icons at the top of the generative search results or the Feedback icon at the bottom of the search results page.

Looking Forward

Microsoft is eager to share more updates in the coming months as they continue to refine and enhance the generative search experience.