Typically, we optimize websites, apps, and business profiles based on the search engine’s algorithms. In this study, I’m analyzing the results of three different types of queries on two major search engines: Google and Bing.
Search engine constantly update their algorithms to make their products more competitive. Often, these algorithm updates, new features, and modifications make search engines very powerful. Is this true?
For this study, I used both Google and Bing search engines. Let’s look at three examples of search queries and their results. The search results are for the United States and may vary by location. I analyzed only the first page results. Yahoo’s search results are nearly similar to Bing’s since they both use the Bing algorithm, so Bing is used here.
Local Service Provider
Query: “Pest control services Columbus, Ohio”
Google.com
I received 4 sponsored listings.
Following that, there were 3 Google Map listings.
Results:
1. Ohioexterminationg.com, 2. Orkin (a brand), 3. Champion Pest
After the top 3 results, Google showed a “People Also Ask” section with 4 related questions.
Additional Results: 4. Rose Pest Solutions 5. Columbus Pest Control 6. Environmental Pest Management 7. Forbes (It’s unclear why a magazine appears in a service query; this seems irrelevant) 8. Angi (local directory service provider) 9. Stryker Pest Control
Notable Points:
Only 9 top results are displayed.
Google suggests additional related questions.
Google includes local directories and magazine results.
Specific filters for the query are suggested, such as “Pest control service Columbus OH review,” “Best pest control service Columbus OH,” etc.
Bing.com
I saw 4 sponsored results first.
Then, 5 listings from Bing Maps with an option for more results. The “Related Searches” section appears on the right side of the Bing Maps results.
I also found 3 FAQs with answers, with an option for more suggestions.
6. Orkin, 7. Yelp.com, After these, I saw 4 more sponsored ads.
Notable Points:
There are 4 ads at the top and 4 at the bottom.
Related searches appear mid-page and at the bottom.
FAQs are shown with answers.
5 results appear in Bing Maps.
Curiosity related search
Query: “How to clean mobile phone memory”
Google
The result page may start with an AI-suggested answer with a speaker option to listen to it. Alternatively, it begins with 6 troubleshooting steps in 6 lines.
After this, Google offers an explanation of the query’s meaning.
Results:
- Results 2 to 5: Information directly related to the query.
- I then saw 4 related questions frequently asked by other users.
- Four videos related to the query followed, with the first video often having a unique preview and captions.
- Result 6: Avast (antivirus website).
- Result 7: Asurion.com (a shopping cart website).
- Result 8: HMD.com (another shopping cart website).
- Following this, I saw 3 images related to the query and suggestions for apps and tools to clean phone memory.
- At the bottom, Google suggested related queries.
Notable Points:
- Google aims to provide solutions to curiosity-driven queries with tools and related searches.
- It includes many visual elements, such as videos and images.
- There’s limited space for bloggers who previously provided solutions before Google’s recent updates.
Bing.com
- I first saw a list of videos and video shorts related to the query.
- Result 2: PCWorld.com (with a webpage preview and tags).
- Result 3: Frequently asked questions with answers, followed by Amazon ads.
- Result 4: AndroidAuthority.com (popular page with tags).
- Result 5: Avast (with content preview and tags).
- Result 6: Images related to the query.
- Result 7: Beebom.com (with tags).
- Result 8: Tom’s Guide (with tags).
- Result 9: AndroidCenter.com (with tags).
- Related searches for the query appear at the bottom.
Notable Points:
- Bing visually displays results with previews.
- Tags are used to enhance the understanding of the question.
- Bing provides an estimated reading time for each webpage.
Sponsored ads include paid tools.
Shopping related searches
Query: “Buy half-sleeve yellow t-shirt”
Google.com
- Search results were customized for Douglas County, NE.
- The first line offers filters for gender, price, size, material, color, pattern, store, and more.
- Result 1: Dickssportinggoods.com (a U.S. apparel brand).
- Result 2: Shashashirt.com (an India-based brand selling in INR; shipping limited to India).
- Next, I saw 10 product images from Google Merchant, though they weren’t sponsored.
- Result 3: Walmart
- Result 4: Kohls.com
- Suggested “Explore Brands” option with three brands.
- Result 5: Bijan.com
- Additional suggested brands in “People Also Buy From”:
- Result 6: Hoaclothing.com (another Indian brand)
- Result 7: T-ShirtWholesaler.com
- Result 8: Rarebondstudios.com (Indian brand)
- Result 9: Levi.com
Notable Points:
- All search results include product images.
- Filter options are available.
- Brands are suggested within the results.
- Related query suggestions are provided.
- Only 9 results; no 10th result.
Bing.com
Sponsored product listings appear from Bing Merchant Center.
Suggested queries are on the left, like “Cheap Long Sleeve T-Shirts” or “Half Sleeve Shirts for Men.”
I saw 2 sponsored results from Halftee.com and Amazon, with related search terms on the right. A preview option (“bulb”) was available for sponsored Amazon results.
Results:
As a normal result I have Amazon only.
Images of t-shirts followed the first result.
More Amazon-listed products appeared after the first result.
Sponsored ads from Walmart, Macy’s, JCPenney, and Halftee followed with call-to-action buttons.
Related search terms were listed at the bottom.
Notable Points:
There’s no “Top 10” list for buying-related queries.
The page is mostly filled with Amazon products and sponsored ads.
Related search terms appear in three places.
Notice : I have used long tail keywords only.
Conclusion
There are no more standard “Top 10” results for either search engine. Both engines aim to adapt to user preferences and present visual results. Google prioritizes related searches and leaves little room for bloggers, instead favoring magazines and popular web directories.
Bing may have an edge by including frequently asked questions and blog results, with tags for better understanding. Bing emphasizes Amazon results, especially when local searches are absent. It also provides estimated reading times. Plan your web promotion activities based on the search engine.
Determine your business niche and optimize your SEO accordingly. For any questions regarding this article or digital marketing, please contact the Gungun Solutions team.