How to Make Bing Your Default Search Engine
Now that Microsoft's new search engine Bing has gone live an unexpected two days early, many of us are rushing out to test it for the very first time. Although Microsoft employees had access to Bing internally back when it was code-named "Kumo," today is the first day that the world actually gets their hands on the new service.
When testing a search engine, a lot of people try to think up queries to run in order to see how good the search results are. But in reality, the best way to really put a search engine through its paces is to switch your default search provider in your browser...well, at least temporarily! That way, you can test the new engine in real world scenarios without having to remind yourself to head over to a new URL.
In this article, we'll show you how to make that switch in a handful of the top browsers. If you use a smaller, alternate browser, feel free to share how to switch its default engine in the comments.
Internet Explorer
In Internet Explorer 8, there aren't any complicated steps to follow to make the switch to a new search engine. Thanks to the browser's support of add-ons, you can just head over to the IE Add-ons Gallery and grab the new Bing add-on.
To install it, simply click the "Add to Internet Explorer" button. On the pop-up that appears, check the box that reads "Make this my default search provider" and click "Add." That's it!
If you accidentally added Bing without making it the default, you can click the drop-down arrow in IE's search box and click "Manage search providers." Find Bing in the list, right-click on it, and choose "Set as Default."
Mozilla Firefox
Like IE8, Mozilla Firefox also offers a Bing add-on which adds both search and suggestions to Firefox's search box. To install this add-on, head over to the Firefox Add-ons Gallery and click the "Add to Firefox" button on this page. On the pop-up box that appears, check the box "Start using it right away" before clicking "Add" in order to set Bing as the default.
Google Chrome
Google Chrome is a bit more tricky. Because this new web browser doesn't (yet) support extensions, you have to add new search engines manually using a specific URL.
To get started, right-click on the search bar and choose "Edit Search Engines." (Alternately, you can click the Wrench icon, then "Options," then the "Manage" button on the "Basics" tab next to "Default Search.")
In the Search Engines window where all of Chrome's available engines are listed, click the "Add" button. Another window appears where you'll be asked to fill in Name, Keyword, and URL. Use the following info to fill out this form:
Name: Bing
Keyword: bing
URL: http://www.bing.com/search?q=%s
Click "OK" then click the "Make Default" button before closing the window.
Safari
Apple's Safari browser on the Mac OS is tied to Google, so changing search providers needs to be done by way of a plugin (unless you're handy with the vi editor). One of the easiest ways to change your search engines in Safari is by using the Glims plugin. This software adds a number of features to Safari, including tabs, thumbnails, full screen, suggestions, and more.
Once installed, open the Safari Preferences and under the Glims tab, click on "Search Engines." Then, click the "Add" button to add a new search engine.
In the pop-up box provided, you'll need to fill in the following info:
Name: Bing
Type: Search Engine
URL: http://www.bing.com/search?q=#query#
Click "Set" when you're done and close the window. Finally, select "Bing" in the browser window search box in order to make it your default engine.
Thanks @gingod for the Safari tip!
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I'm totally digg'n the Bing!
Posted by: sofarsoSean
|
June 1, 2009 8:19 AM
Looks like Chrome got an update - I went to add bing.com and it was already available! Switching to bing for a week to see how it goes.
@Amit: Wow! That was fast!
You forgot about Opera! Right click on the search feild and click create search. http://www.opera.com/
I don't change my default engine which is Google now ,mean while I do test Bing with some interesting search queries.
Just curious, but why would anyone want to use Bing?
It's nothing but a re-branded Live, which is a re-branded broken MSN.
It doesn't matter what you call Poop----Poop is still POOP if it STINKS!
Who will give me over/under odds on how long Bing lasts until it's re-branded to YET ANOTHER "concept".
In addition, Windows Wallpaper--is about the MOST ANNOYING feature of the OS Desktop. (a nice, clean Black---NO PICTURE background is best for me).
Why would Bing clutter the desktop with background pictures...how does this help with my search?
both Wolfram and Google PROVE KEEP IT SIMPLE at the very least---MSFT could have copied this concept----they copy everything else....INNOVATION MY REAR END!!!
(if "innovation" is pictures of Hot Air Balloons on my Search engine---then I'll stick with the "alternative" as Steve likes to say.
Yeah, wonder where Bing came up with the concept of the Site Search....*LAUGHING*...
Guess they got tired of people using Google to search for content on MSFT's OWN SITE to find information....vs. Live Search....*LAUGHING*
INNOVATION----where?!?!
COME ON MSFT---you sued for the "freedom to innovate"---When will you do so?!?!? Bunch of 20th Century LOSERS!!!!
Thank goodness it seems like the majority of the Twitterverse doesn't agree with WhyBing.
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=bing
I would say the majority of folks find Bing at the very least a viable alternative to Google.
You can never please everyone, but to utterly dismiss Bing with nonconstructive ranting is just downright silly.
lol, and what about all of these browsers?
come on, bing is just Live redesigned.
I am with Google i don't think so i need to learn how to make Bing default search engine. Bing vs google i have no words. :P
I'm still using google, for me google search result is more useful
Bing sure is pretty, but it is little more than Live with a new GUI, just as Windows 7 is Vista with a new GUI. My Google Custom Search Engine does better...see for yourself...
http://www.thebitbot.com - An "Enhanced" Google Custom Search Engine
I've been testing Bing for the past couple days. While I'm not a big fan of Microsoft, I try to keep an open mind, but I'm not ready to switch my default browser just yet.
I do not notice a big difference in the quality of search results compared to live.com; but I do like how the results are laid out.
So first MSN became Live, but now Bing is live, i man Live is Bing, I mean MSN changed to Bing, which is now live...
For years, Microsoft has tried to shrug off its reputation as a monopolistic tyrant. Today comes news that seems to undermine those efforts pretty badly.
http://www.pupuweb.com/blog/bing-as-default-search-engine-in-ie6/
This is great! Go Microsoft!
Live or Dead -- Bing works for me. There's less work involved in searching and you don't have to do all of the thinking when using it. You can focus more directly on fine-tuning, even more. I'm using Bing as my search engine, which is why I'm here (trying to learn how to do so). Google seems messy in comparison. For purists, maybe it is LIVE re-packaged. But, heck, who cares, it's looking good to me.
gin
I really don't like Microsoft. My computer is an Apple etc etc etc. But it has to be said - Google is the MS of search. The design of Bing is far superior and user friendly to that of Googles which is utilitarian but uninspiring. I for one, will not go with the stupid mainstream and sing the glory of Google.
The king is dead, long live the king! Wolfram Alpha and Bing are GO!
can bing improve my page rank? i dont know yet
I'm still using google for now, google search result is more useful..
Hi i really glad to say this is really nice and good.
thank you so much.
I guess I came here because you have an "iPhone" in your tag cloud. So I was hoping to get a definite answer here, whether I can use bing as a default search engine on the iPhone.
Is suppose this is not possible. But it would be great to get a specific answer, whether it's possible in 3.1.2 or in a former version.
Or whether other browsers apps on the iPhone support bing for search from the search field.
Thanks.
I really like that bing makes it so easy to download stuff and look stuff up.
BING IS USER FRIENDLY
Here is another method for adding Bing to Safari, as Glims does not work in Snow Leopard and editing the Safari binary breaks with every update: http://jeremiahlee.com/blog/2009/12/02/changing-safaris-search-engine/
It uses Safari bookmarks bar keyboard shortcut and is much more convenient.
Ok WhyBing... I'll tell you Why Bing...
Cause when I search for something on Google and can't find what I want and Bing can find what I want... that't Why Bing... WhyBing.
You might not like Microsoft but at least when I need something done, no frills, no silly add-ons, no whatever... it just works.
I've gone without Google for months now and you know what? I'm still alive, my world hasn't ended, my PC hasn't exploded into a million pieces, people still talk to me, I can still surf the web, I still know where my house is and I still get email.
So... WhyGoogle?
Fun stuff aside, I really do like, and prefer Bing over everything else I've used. Like I said above... when other engines can't find what I want... Bing can... that's why I use it.
To anyone..
How to use bing as search add-on ON windows safari? Want to switch to bing..