Google calls out Microsoft's new trick to obscure "Google" search result on Bing

Microsoft’s Bing continues to push the boundaries of competitive behavior, drawing sharp criticism from Google. In a recent development, Bing has been caught hiding Google’s actual search results when users search for “Google” on its platform.

Earlier this month, users searching for “Google” on Bing were met with a startlingly familiar design tweak. Bing’s results page stripped down its usual clutter, opting for a sleek, minimalistic layout with a giant search bar. Sound familiar? It should. The aesthetic bore an uncanny resemblance to Google’s iconic homepage. As we highlighted, the visual trick was subtle enough to confuse anyone not paying close attention. Even Bing’s own branding was tucked away, as though trying to pass itself off as the real Google. While users could dismiss the interface with a click of an “X,” the setup would resurface in incognito mode, keeping the illusion alive. Clever? Maybe. Sneaky? Absolutely.

Fast forward to this week, and Bing seems to have doubled down on its antics. According to Search Engine Roundtable, Microsoft is now hiding Google search results entirely. Type “Google” into Bing’s search bar, and instead of the expected results, you’re greeted by a “Promoted by Microsoft” search box. To find actual Google results, you’ll need to click the “X” in the top right corner of the search results page (see red arrow in the screenshot below), adding an extra step — or hurdle, depending on your perspective — to your search journey. In some cases, Bing is still testing its “Google-lite” design alongside this hide-and-seek tactic, keeping the competition guessing.

This move hasn’t gone unnoticed. Rajan Patel, Google Search’s VP of Engineering and co-founder of Lens, took to social media to call out Microsoft’s latest ploy, captioning it with a sharp “New tactic just dropped — how low can they go!?” His reaction followed an earlier jab from Parisa Tabriz, another Google exec, who also expressed her dismay. The sentiment echoes the broader frustration of many who see Microsoft’s strategies as less innovation, more imitation.

But a new wrinkle emerged when popular tech YouTuber Tech Sanjeet chimed in on Threads, claiming that Bing is now making it harder to find download links for Google Chrome. According to his post, Bing is actively burying Chrome links while promoting Microsoft Edge with gusto. “Is this fair play, or a dirty tactic?” he pondered. As things stand, it seems Microsoft is trying to nudge users further into its ecosystem by throwing obstacles in their path.

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While tech companies have a history of borrowing (some would say “stealing”) ideas from competitors, this latest sequence of events feels like a masterclass in audacity. Whether it’s mimicking Google’s look or creating roadblocks to its competitor’s tools, Microsoft Bing’s playbook is sparking a mix of amusement, annoyance, and debate. Is it a genius move to retain users, or a desperate attempt to hold onto relevance in a Google-dominated world?

For now, the jury’s out. What’s clear, though, is that Microsoft is unafraid to blur the lines. Whether these tactics will pay off or backfire spectacularly remains to be seen.