Today I completed the 7th day of the Bing Challenge. No Google searching for the entire month of March in order to focus on Bing. This week I’m looking into Bing’s search tools, features and options and today I’m examining their “More Info Box” feature that provides additional linking information. So far, 7 days down and only 24 more to go.

 
Day 7: More Info Box Search Listing Enhancements – Monday, March 7th

Search engine result pages have changed greatly over the years. Most of the engines in the early days only contained a few things: Linked Page Title, Text Description, Page URL, and maybe a Cache Date and Link if the engine cached the page.

Today’s search engine pages are much different and often contain a mixture of Images, Videos, News Headlines, Maps & Local Listings, Rich Snippets, and Social features such as latest Tweets.

In case you missed it, I gave myself a challenge and completely cut myself off from Google to focus on Bing on March 1st, 2011. So as of now, I have been Bing Only and Google Free for over 5 straight days. A small, but significant achievement for a search engine marketer. My goal here is simple: gain a deeper understanding of Bing. I figured that the best way to accomplish this was if I could commit, and stick to, only searching with Bing for a whole month. 5 days down and only 26 more to go.

Last week I spent my time getting to know more about Bing, working through Indexing issues and becoming familiar with Bing Webmaster Tools. This week I am planning on being more organized and will be examining some of their search engine tools and features.

Day 6: “Popular Now” Trending Search Features – Sunday, March 6th

Today is the 5th day of the Bing Challenge where I’ve committed to using Bing only. No searching on Google searching for an entire month. This week I’m getting to know Bing a little better and today I’m taking a closer look at their Webmaster Tools features and reports. 5 days down, 26 more to go.

 
Day 5: 3 Valuable Bing Webmaster Tools Features & Reports – Saturday, March 5th

While poking around in Bing’s Webmaster Tools today looking for indexing info for our new post that I wrote yesterday, I noticed a 3 nice features, reports and downloadable data sets that I found valuable for SEO.

Yesterday, while I was researching our WebRanking Profile in Bing Webmaster Tools, I was served the following alternate header and top navigation format for Bing’s search engine results pages.

Alternate Test Top Header for Bing Search Engine Results Pages.

Day 1: Notable Spidering & Indexing Frequency Issues – Tuesday, March 1st

Today being the first day of The Bing Challenge was a busy one with client meetings in Downtown Minneapolis, an hour long webinar on landing page conversion testing, and first of the month client SEM reporting and analysis. Being busy was good because I didn’t have the time to be tempted by Google. Sheesh, this ain’t so hard. Only 30 more days to go!

It’s been almost 2 years since Bing launched in June of 2009. Yea, I know. TWO YEARS. Like many other search engine marketers I waited… and waited… and waited… and continued to wait and wonder if Microsoft’s new engine was going to stick around, or if it was destined to fade away with the likes of Northern Light, Excite, Infoseek, DirectHit and countless others that ended up in the Searching Graveyard.

Well. It’s still here. And it’s bigger than ever.

Recent surveys suggest that Bing powered searches have grown to almost 30% of the total U.S. search market. That is a larger audience than any other search engine has had, in what, 5 years? This is due in large part to the completion of their Search Alliance with Yahoo and the fact Microsoft is a marketing machine. And even though PPC search traffic from the Binghoo merger is currently only coming in at 70% of combined pre-Alliance traffic levels, search marketers now only have to manage a single AdCenter platform.

Bing Still Searching For Love

GetListed.org's Local U in Portland

To be entered, visit our Facebook page and leave a comment letting us know why you want to attend for your chance to win! Winner will be selected on Friday, February 18th.

The Minnesota Search Engine Marketing Association

MnSEM is having it’s 1st live social networking and education event of 2011 on Thursday, February 10th from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Join the Minnesota Search Engine Marketing Association at the “Search Party II: MnSEM Takes Over St. Paul”. Get to know MnSEM and our members with an evening of networking, drinks, talking search, and presentations from three great local speakers who will discuss Top Search Trends for 2011.

Register today to get your FREE tickets to Search Party II: mnsem.eventbrite.com

Who Should Attend MnSEM’s Search Party II

Downtown Portland & the Hawthorne Bridge

Looking for a new restaurant? Like most you probably turn towards Yelp. But what about the food cart scene? Did you know that there is a fantastic web site dedicated to all things food carts? Well, there is.

You know you love grabbing a pint of beer with your office pals after work, but wouldn’t it be nice to get some inside information on the newest brew pubs, or find out what’s currently on tap at your favorite watering hole? Well, there’s a site for that (and an app too).

We’ll if you are looking for a getaway where Ice Fishing is not an option, being a foodie is expected, and Search Engine Marketing is a featured event, then I’ve got just the thing for you!

SEMpdx’s SearchFest 2011
Feb. 23 in Portland, OR