Bing Webmaster Tools
AnalyticsMicrosoft's free search performance and indexing platform
Overview
Bing Webmaster Tools is Microsoft's free platform for monitoring website performance in Bing search results and managing how Bing's crawler interacts with your site. Launched in 2009 as a direct competitor to Google Search Console, it provides essential search performance data, crawl diagnostics, and indexing tools specifically for Microsoft's search ecosystem. While Bing commands only about 3% of global search traffic, that still represents millions of potential visitors that many SEOs completely ignore.
The platform covers the same core functionality as Google Search Console but with Microsoft's particular quirks and crawler behavior patterns. Bing's crawler often discovers different technical issues than Googlebot, making it a valuable secondary validation tool even for sites that primarily optimize for Google. The interface feels familiar to anyone who's used Google Search Console, though it's generally less polished and offers fewer advanced features.
Unlike premium SEO tools that charge hundreds per month, Bing Webmaster Tools provides all features completely free with no usage limits beyond reasonable crawl quotas. This makes it an essential addition to any SEO toolkit, regardless of your primary search engine focus.
Key features
Search Performance Reports
Track clicks, impressions, CTR, and average position for your pages in Bing search results. Less granular than Google Search Console but covers the ~3% of search traffic from Bing.
URL Inspection Tool
Check indexing status, crawl errors, and request indexing for specific URLs. Faster than waiting for natural discovery but limited to 10,000 requests per month.
Crawl Control
Set crawl rate limits and preferred crawling times to manage server load. More flexible than Google's crawl budget controls but affects a smaller search engine.
Site Verification
Multiple verification methods including HTML file upload, meta tag, DNS record, or XML sitemap integration. Same process complexity as Google Search Console.
Backlinks Report
View external links pointing to your site with anchor text and source domains. Basic backlink data that's less comprehensive than dedicated tools like Ahrefs.
Security Issues Detection
Alerts for malware, phishing, or hacked content detected by Bing. Important secondary validation beyond Google's security warnings.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | All features, unlimited sites, search performance data, crawl reports, sitemap submission |
FAQ
Is Bing Webmaster Tools worth using if I already have Google Search Console?
Yes, because Bing represents ~3% of search traffic and catches different technical issues. It takes minimal effort to set up and provides unique insights about Microsoft's crawler behavior.
How accurate is Bing's search performance data compared to Google?
Bing's data is accurate for its own search results but represents much smaller traffic volumes. The interface is less sophisticated than Google Search Console with fewer filtering options.
Does Bing Webmaster Tools help with Microsoft Copilot or AI search features?
Currently no. Bing Webmaster Tools focuses on traditional web search indexing and doesn't provide specific insights for AI-powered search features or Copilot integration.
Can I submit sitemaps to both Google and Bing simultaneously?
No automated cross-submission exists. You need to manually submit sitemaps to each platform, though both accept the same XML sitemap format from your robots.txt file.
How long does it take for Bing to index new content compared to Google?
Bing typically indexes new content 2-7 days slower than Google. Using the URL inspection tool can speed this up, but Bing's overall crawl frequency is lower than Google's.
How does Bing Webmaster Tools compare?
Review Sentiment
69 reviews across 2 sources
Bottom line
Hard to beat free. Bing Webmaster Tools is a genuine asset for data-driven marketers thanks to completely free, though data is limited compared to Google Search Console due to Bing's smaller keeps it from replacing paid alternatives entirely.
People love
- +Completely free with solid keyword research and backlink analysis tools
- +IndexNow integration ensures content updates are crawled almost instantly
- +Up to 24 months of search performance data for impressions, clicks, and positions
Common complaints
- –Data is limited compared to Google Search Console due to Bing's smaller market share
- –Customer support is practically non-existent — self-service documentation only
- –Interface feels dated and less intuitive than Google Search Console
Last updated Feb 2026