CrushPress.AI

Category: Bing

  • How AI is Revolutionizing Microsoft’s Search Indexing

    How AI is Revolutionizing Microsoft’s Search Indexing

    I recently came across an intriguing blog post by Microsoft Bing that delves into how AI is transforming the traditional concept of search indexing into something far more sophisticated. Bing has been focusing on enhancing factual accuracy, attribution, and confidence levels before AI-driven answers are generated.

    The transition from page ranking to supporting AI-generated answers is reshaping how search engines operate. According to Bing’s latest insights, AI requires a more complex indexing system compared to the conventional web searches we’re used to.

    Traditional Search vs. Grounding Systems

    Microsoft highlighted a key difference: while traditional searches allow users the opportunity to self-correct, AI systems must derive more substantial evidence since they generate definitive answers.

    Grounding systems focus on verifiable facts with transparent sourcing, crafting combined answers where errors could compound through different reasoning steps.

    They shared this illustrative table:

    What Sets Them Apart

    Traditional algorithms optimize for relevance. In contrast, AI grounding evaluates whether information is correct, recent, well-sourced, and comprehensive enough to support an answer. It also considers whether the essence of a page endures through transformations and chunking.

    Stale Content Concerns

    Microsoft pointed out that outdated content poses a unique risk to AI-generated answers. Unlike traditional ranking, outdated information can lead to inaccurate AI results.

    Handling Contradictions

    ```json { "alt": "Comparison table of traditional search and AI response grounding across six dimensions.", "caption": "Explore the key differences between traditional search methods and AI response grounding with this insightful table showcasing six dimensions.", "description": "This image features a comparison table outlining differences between traditional search techniques and AI response grounding across six dimensions: primary question, unit of value, role of the user, error dynamics, valid outcomes, and accountability. It highlights traditional user-driven search versus AI's emphasis on grounded information and synthesized answers. Keywords: traditional search, AI response, comparison, dimensions, grounding." } ```

    In traditional search, a hierarchy can be established by ranking sources for users to choose trusted information. Grounding systems, however, must identify conflicting data and deliberate their consolidation into a singular response.

    The Complexity of Retrieval

    Unlike a one-time query in traditional search, AI systems might fetch information multiple times, refining previous results, and re-evaluating confidence before shaping an answer.

    Measuring Indexing Quality

    While the quality of conventional search indexes centers on ranking performance, grounding systems require assessment of factual accuracy, source integrity, freshness, and conflict recognition. Microsoft notes the ongoing journey in refining these measurements.

    Complementing, Not Replacing Search

    Grounding isn’t intended to replace search. Rather, it supplements existing systems with a focus on evidence quality and attribution, determining if AI should refrain from responding when necessary.

    Why This Matters

    For decades, search indexes have guided users to relevant web pages. Today, AI grounding is about ensuring the data it uses stands the test of reliability. This evolution demands that brands and publishers focus on creating data AI can leverage with greater certainty.

    For More Insights read the detailed blog post, Evolving Role of the Index: From Ranking Pages to Supporting Answers.

    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

    crushpress.ai community screenshot
  • Bing Webmaster Tools Unveils Exciting AI Reporting Enhancements

    Bing Webmaster Tools Unveils Exciting AI Reporting Enhancements

    During a recent presentation, I was thrilled to learn about Microsoft’s latest tease regarding new AI reporting features in Bing Webmaster Tools. These updates aim to enhance the existing AI performance reports, offering fascinating insights into citation share, query intent grounding, and GEO-focused recommendations.

    I stumbled upon shared screenshots from this intriguing presentation delivered by Krishna Madhavan at SEO Week in the bustling city of New York. Azeem Ahmad captured the essence of this moment, highlighting the growing transparency gap between Bing and Google.

    Intriguing Details: The presentation shared several slides showcasing these promising new features. One can feel the excitement building within the SEO community as these innovations hint at a more insightful way to track AI interactions.

    Stay Tuned: While these features aren’t live just yet, catching a glimpse of them was very promising. It seems Microsoft is ramping up to offer more ways to navigate AI-driven search results.

    Why This Matters: Gaining more transparency on how our content performs in AI search results is invaluable. I eagerly anticipate the day when these tools go live, promising greater clarity and control over AI interactions.

    At the moment, details on the exact functionality and release timeline remain vague. I will certainly keep my eyes peeled for further updates to better understand their full potential.

    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

    crushpress.ai community screenshot
  • Bing Enhances AI Query Links to Cited Pages for SEO Insight

    Bing Enhances AI Query Links to Cited Pages for SEO Insight

    Recently, I’ve noticed something exciting happening on Bing. Now, when I use Bing Webmaster Tools, I can click a query to view its cited pages or select a page to see its grounding queries. It feels like a new level of connectivity where multiple queries and pages are seamlessly linked together.

    Microsoft has introduced query-to-page mapping within its AI Performance report on Bing Webmaster Tools. I find this feature incredibly helpful because it lets me directly connect AI-generated queries to cited URLs. This makes my SEO strategies more precise.

    Why it matters to us. Before this update, Bing’s dashboard presented queries and pages separately, which limited our optimization efforts. Now, I can align specific AI-triggering queries with the exact pages they reference, focusing my updates on real AI-driven demand rather than guesswork.

    Here’s the scoop. The Grounding Query–Page Mapping feature is a game-changer in the AI Performance dashboard:

    • With a click on a grounding query, I can see which pages are cited.
    • I can also click a page to find out which grounding queries are driving its citations.
    • The mapping system is many-to-many, meaning one query can be linked to multiple pages and vice versa.

    Catch up with Bing. Back in February, Microsoft launched the AI Performance report in Bing Webmaster Tools, marking its initial GEO-focused dashboard. This tool keeps track of where and how often my content gets cited in AI answers across platforms like Bing, Copilot, and more.

    • It tracks the grounding queries, cited URLs, and visibility trends over time, providing an insightful view into citation visibility.

    The buzz. According to Microsoft, this update came about due to “strong positive customer feedback and numerous requests,” and I can see why it’s so well-received.

    The announcement. The unveiling of the query-to-page mapping feature was detailed in a Microsoft Advertising blog post: The AI Performance dashboard: Your view into where your brand appears across the AI web

    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

    crushpress.ai community screenshot
  • Google & Bing Advise Against Separate LLM Markdown Pages

    Google & Bing Advise Against Separate LLM Markdown Pages

    I’ve been following the lively debate around creating separate markdown pages for LLMs, and it appears that both Google and Bing are advising against this approach.

    Recently, I noticed that representatives from Google Search and Bing Search have specifically recommended not to create separate markdown (.md) pages designed exclusively for LLMs. This practice involves presenting different content to the LLMs compared to what users see, which can be considered a form of cloaking—a direct violation of Google’s policies.

    The question arose when Lily Ray inquired on Bluesky about the prevalence of creating markdown or JSON pages targeted at bots.

    • “Not sure if you can answer, but starting to hear a lot about creating separate markdown / JSON pages for LLMs and serving those URLs to bots.”

    Google’s stance, as explained by John Mueller, is clear. He replied to Lily’s query saying that LLMs have always interacted with standard web pages and don’t require separate markdown pages.

    • “I’m not aware of anything in that regard. In my POV, LLMs have trained on—read & parsed—normal web pages since the beginning, it seems a given that they have no problems dealing with HTML. Why would they want to see a page that no user sees? And, if they check for equivalence, why not use HTML?”

    John Mueller even criticized the whole idea, stating:

    • “Converting pages to markdown is such a stupid idea. Did you know LLMs can read images? WHY NOT TURN YOUR WHOLE SITE INTO AN IMAGE?” Of course, converting your entire site to a markdown format is an extreme measure.

    I’ve collected many of John Mueller’s remarks on this topic, which you can find here.

    Bing’s perspective is shared by Fabrice Canel from Microsoft Bing, who suggested that creating duplicate, non-user content isn’t effective.

    • “Lily: really want to double crawl load? We’ll crawl anyway to check similarity. Non-user versions (crawlable AJAX and like) are often neglected, broken. Humans eyes help fixing people and bot-viewed content. We like Schema in pages. AI makes us great at understanding web pages. Less is more in SEO!”

    Why this matters to us: Many of us are tempted by shortcuts to improve search engine performance. Yet, these shortcuts often backfire or yield short-lived benefits. As Lily Ray remarked on LinkedIn, managing duplicate and differing content for bots violates established search engine policies.

    Lily Ray’s thoughts on this are clear:

    • “I’ve had concerns the entire time about managing duplicate content and serving different content to crawlers than to humans, which I understand might be useful for AI search but directly violates search engines’ longstanding policies about this (basically cloaking).”

    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

    crushpress.ai community screenshot
  • Discover Bing’s New Multi-Turn Search Feature Now Live Worldwide

    Discover Bing’s New Multi-Turn Search Feature Now Live Worldwide

    I’m excited to share that Microsoft has introduced a game-changing update to Bing with the global rollout of multi-turn search. As I scroll through Bing’s search results, I now see a Copilot search box conveniently positioned at the bottom, waiting to assist with follow-up queries.

    What is multi-turn search? In essence, this feature enables me to continue my search seamlessly. Imagine typing a follow-up question in the Copilot search box right at the bottom of the results page without any need to scroll back up. It feels so intuitive and user-friendly!

    Here’s a vivid screenshot that perfectly captures this experience:

    And here’s a video that brings it to life, showcasing the seamless functionality:

    Here’s what Microsoft had to say. Jordi Ribas, the CVP and Head of Search at Microsoft, took to X to share this exciting update, revealing that “After shipping in the US last year, multi-turn search in Bing is now available worldwide.”

    ```json { "alt": "Search results page displaying articles on how AI works and certification programs.", "caption": "Explore how artificial intelligence operates and discover top certification programs to enhance your AI skills.", "description": "The image shows a search engine results page with articles focusing on the workings of artificial intelligence and AI certification programs. Results include GeeksForGeeks and Beebom articles explaining AI concepts, alongside Forbes featuring AI certification courses. Popular related searches, such as 'what is a chatbot in AI' and 'how does AI work simplified,' are displayed to the right. This setup provides educational insights and training resources for AI enthusiasts." } ```

    Ribas went on to explain that “Bing users don’t need to scroll up to do the next query, and the next turn will keep context when appropriate,” indicating a significant enhancement in user experience.

    He further noted, “We’ve seen gains in engagement and sessions per user in our online metrics, highlighting the positive user value of this approach.”

    Why it’s important for us. With many search engines, including giants like Google, trying to push for more AI integration, Bing’s new feature is a step in that direction. Google’s AI Overviews, although not entirely without controversy, are pushing users deeper into AI interfaces. Meanwhile, Bing’s Copilot box, after rigorous testing over several months, is now fully available, underscoring Microsoft’s commitment to user-centered innovation.

    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

    crushpress.ai community screenshot
  • Discover Bing’s New AI Performance Insights: A Sneak Peek

    Discover Bing’s New AI Performance Insights: A Sneak Peek

    I recently discovered that Bing is testing a new AI Performance report within their Webmaster Tools. This has piqued my interest, especially since Microsoft has been teasing the idea of providing better insights into website performance in AI-driven Bing and Copilot searches for months.

    It all started back in February 2023, and then in April 2023, Microsoft hinted at delivering data on Bing Chat and AI search impressions. Sadly, our hopes were dashed when they lumped this data together with regular web queries, leaving us still in the dark about our sites’ performance in Bing’s AI experiences. I can’t help but feel a bit let down.

    Now, it seems Bing is experimenting with a new report within Bing Webmaster Tools, known as the AI Performance report. This report is in a super limited beta phase, and Microsoft hasn’t officially announced anything yet. A source shared that it showcases citation data from both Microsoft Copilot and its partners, detailing the number of citations and cited pages per day.

    With this report, I can see how often Copilot cites my website and across how many pages. However, it still doesn’t reveal how many people clicked through from those citations to my site. The report also presents data categorized by “grounding queries” and “pages.” While “grounding queries” might not represent the exact query entered in Copilot, it shows how Bing interprets them, including insights into the intent behind such queries, like whether they are navigational or informational.

    This new report lets me identify the specific pages Copilot cites. While there’s excitement in seeing more AI performance-related data pop up in Bing Webmaster Tools, I can’t shake the feeling of wanting click-through data. Knowing the click-through rate from AI interactions compared to regular web searches is something I, and I’m sure many other publishers and site owners, have been eagerly anticipating.

    It feels like all search engines are intentionally keeping this data under wraps, and it’s frustrating not having full transparency.

    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

    crushpress.ai community screenshot