Last week, I wrote about how Microsoft’s was buying ads on Google to promote its new search engine Bing.
With Bing’s launch, Microsoft said it planned to target four distinct categories: shopping, local, travel and health.
Today while logged into my Gmail account, I noticed the following Google Adwords ad for Bing targeting local search.
Bing Local Search Decisions
The Official Bing site ad reads: Local decisions. Get Pricing, Maps and Reviews For Local Businesses.
Clicking the Bing ad takes visitors to Bing.com/Maps site where the Bing search box is prepopulated with the “Business, category and/or location” prompt.
Bing Business Category or Location
Upon entering a business name, Bing presupposes my search is for a local business and provides a list of results from my city.
Bing Local Business Search
Entering a business category produces search results from the same locale as the business name search.
Bing Local Category Search
A Microsoft brand search produces a list of businesses that apparently carry Microsoft branded products within the same locality.
Bing Local Brand Search Microsoft
Any predictions on how this search / search arbitrage will pan out for Microsoft’s Bing?
Search Marketing Communications 
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