Just as Bing was starting to give Google a headache, our friends in Redmond have decided to introduce ads in the Bing chat interface. It is unclear what “in” actually means, but in a recent blog post, Microsoft Corporate Vice President Yusuf Mehdi announced the company’s exploration of “placing ads in the chat experience.”
Caitlin Roulston, a director of communications at Microsoft, provided more information in a statement to The Verge: “Yes, ads will show in the new Bing, specifically in chat (as they do in the traditional search results).” Since the new Bing is still in its preview phase, Roulston mentioned that there might be “some variability in how it’s currently showing up.”
I know that Microsoft has to make money, but ads in the chat interface is too high a mountain to climb. So long, Bing. We hardly knew ya.
There’s far more to AI than chatbots, though. I’m looking forward to learning about “intelligent content” at the upcoming NAB Show (April 15-19) in Las Vegas. Learn more here.
Author’s note: This is not a sponsored post. I am the author of this article and it expresses my own opinions. I am not, nor is my company, receiving compensation for it.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with AI strategy, implementation and governance, as well as technology, media and marketing. Named one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Technology, he is a bestselling author, covers tech and business for Fox 5’s Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN, and writes the popular daily business blog Think About This. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.