Bing News: Firefox 4; CTR in Ranking Algorithm; Golden Sporks
Bing will soon become the third general search engine option for all Firefox English language users, behind Google and Yahoo.
In a post, here’s what Firefox said of its search options:
Google remains the most popular general search and it will remain as the default search option, unless you change it. We will also continue to include Yahoo! as the second option for general search. Yahoo! has a loyal following and continues to provide a differentiated user experience, even as it integrates the Bing engine for its algorithmic search results. Bing itself offers a user experience that we think users will find valuable, and with its significant rise in popularity over the last year, we will also be including Bing as a general search option for English language users.
CTR a Factor in Bing’s Algorithm
Bing has confirmed that click through rate (CTR) is one of many factors in their ranking algorithm.
Steve Tullis, Senior Program Manager Lead, Bing, said at SMX that if pages in the search results don’t get clicked on, the ranking will likely be lower.
Free Meals from Bing’s Portland Food Cart Finder
If you’re in the mood to search for food and live in Portland, Bing is giving out free meals to the first 500 people who arrive at some of the city’s most popular food carts.
Use the Bing Food Cart Finder map app at 7 a.m., 11 a.m., and 4 p.m. on October 13, and look for the golden sporks to find some free eats.