Having a strong online presence is essential for businesses and individuals alike. With billions of searches conducted every day, search engines serve as gateways to the vast realm of the internet. While Google has long been the dominant player in the search engine arena, overlooking Bing would be a mistake.

In this article, we’ll explore the significance of not only submitting your website to Google Search Console but also to IndexNow | Bing Webmaster Tools to achieve broader exposure. We’ll delve into the reasons behind this decision and provide insights into the percentage of traffic that Bing receives.

What is IndexNow? 

IndexNow is an easy to use protocol that websites can call to notify Bing whenever website contents on any URL is updated or created allowing instant crawling, and discovery of the URL.

IndexNow allows website publishers to instantly index across participating search engines, updating results based upon the latest content changes.

By eliminating the need for exploratory crawls, IndexNow seeks to improve overall internet efficiency.

What is the IndexNow PlugIn? 

IndexNow is a small WordPress Plugin for quickly notifying search engines whenever their website content is created, updated, or deleted.

Improve your rankings by taking control of the crawling and indexing process, so search engines know what to focus on!

Once installed, it detects pages/terms creation/update/deletion in WordPress and automatically submits the URLs in the background via IndexNow, Google API, Bing API, and Yandex API protocols.

It ensures that search engines invariably have the latest updates about your site.

Diversification of Traffic Sources

While Google continues to reign supreme as the world’s most popular search engine, relying solely on it for traffic can be risky. Algorithm updates, policy changes, and ranking fluctuations can impact your website’s visibility overnight. By integrating Bing into your digital strategy, you’re diversifying your traffic sources. This diversification helps mitigate the risk of sudden drops in traffic due to changes in Google’s algorithms.

Bing, the search engine owned by Microsoft, holds around 6-7% of the global search engine market share, according to statistics from StatCounter. This may seem smaller compared to Google’s overwhelming dominance, but it still translates to millions of potential users and customers. Ignoring this chunk of the market means missing out on a substantial opportunity to grow your online presence.

Targeting a Different User Base

Google and Bing have distinct user demographics, and understanding these differences can be a valuable asset to your online strategy. Bing often caters to an older audience, with a higher proportion of users in the 45+ age group. Additionally, Bing is often favored by users in certain industries like finance, technology, and health. By submitting your website to Bing Webmaster Tools, you’re tapping into a user base that might have different preferences and needs than those typically found on Google.

Moreover, Bing users often have different search behaviors and patterns. They tend to use more specific search queries and engage more with sponsored content. This presents an opportunity to tailor your SEO and advertising efforts specifically for Bing’s audience, potentially yielding higher conversion rates.

Enhanced SEO Opportunities

Indexing your website with both Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools offers valuable insights into how these search engines perceive your site. Both platforms provide data on indexing errors, sitemaps, crawl statistics, and more. This information helps you identify and rectify any issues that might hinder your website’s performance on either search engine.

Each platform has its own set of guidelines and algorithms, and optimizing for both can lead to improved overall search visibility. By adhering to Bing’s ranking factors, such as domain age, social signals, and keyword placement, you’re taking steps to enhance your site’s performance on a platform that prioritizes these factors.

Local Search and Business Exposure

Bing places a strong emphasis on local search, making it an excellent tool for businesses with a physical presence. Microsoft’s search engine has a tighter integration with Yelp and other local directories, potentially leading to better visibility for local businesses. By submitting your website to Bing Webmaster Tools, you increase the chances of your business appearing in relevant local searches, helping you attract nearby customers.

Competitive Advantage

Due to the perception that Google is the primary search engine, many websites overlook the importance of optimizing for Bing. This presents an opportunity for those who are willing to invest time and effort into Bing optimization. By being an early adopter of Bing Webmaster Tools and understanding its nuances, you position yourself ahead of competitors who might lag in embracing this platform.

The Bottom Line

In the realm of online visibility, it’s crucial to think beyond Google Search Console and consider the benefits of integrating Bing Webmaster Tools into your strategy. The internet landscape is vast, and diversifying your traffic sources is a prudent approach to safeguard your online presence. While Bing’s percentage of traffic may be smaller compared to Google, it still holds significant potential for exposure and growth. By targeting a different user base, optimizing for Bing’s unique algorithms, capitalizing on local search, and gaining a competitive advantage, you’re poised to make the most out of this underutilized platform.

Incorporating Bing Webmaster Tools alongside Google Search Console demonstrates a holistic approach to online optimization, allowing you to tap into a wider range of opportunities and stay prepared for any fluctuations in search engine dynamics. So, whether you’re an individual blogger or a business striving for digital dominance, remember that in the world of online visibility, embracing multiple tools is the key to success.