Microsoft is intensifying its efforts to shift the balance in favor of Bing and Edge, employing a range of creative strategies that have raised eyebrows in the tech community. In a recent maneuver, the company has sought to encourage users to remain loyal to Microsoft Edge while searching for the Google Web Store via Bing, rather than opting for Chrome.
Innovative Pop-Up Messaging
Windows Central explored this scenario and encountered a pop-up message that read: “Enjoy your favorite extensions without switching browsers. Keep using to get world-class performance with more privacy, more productivity, and more value. Try now.” This approach highlights Microsoft’s commitment to retaining users within its ecosystem by promoting the advantages of Edge over its competitors.
(Image credit: Windows Central | Kevin Okemwa)
In a contrasting experience, when attempting to search for Microsoft Edge Add-ons using Google Search and Chrome, the results were straightforward and devoid of any pop-up ads aimed at dissuading browser switching. This disparity underscores the lengths to which Microsoft is willing to go in order to promote its products.
Strategic Use of Bing Wallpaper
Moreover, Microsoft has leveraged its Bing Wallpaper app to encourage Windows 11 users to adopt Bing as their default search engine, promoting it as the “recommended browser settings” for efficient and secure searches. This strategy even includes automatically adding the Bing extension to Google Chrome, further blurring the lines between user choice and corporate strategy.
Recently, Microsoft has faced criticism for employing what some have termed “deceptive tactics” to mimic Google’s interface, even replicating the iconic Doodle found on Google’s homepage. Parisa Tabriz, the lead for Chrome at Google, remarked that this behavior represents a “new low” for Microsoft, stating: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but Microsoft spoofing the Google homepage is another tactic in its long history of tricks to confuse users & limit choice.”
Industry Reactions
Mozilla has also voiced concerns regarding Microsoft’s tactics, accusing the company of using misleading designs to give Edge an unfair competitive edge over other browsers on Windows. Notably, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has acknowledged the financial dynamics at play, revealing that Google generates more revenue from Windows than Microsoft itself does.
