google-search-console vs bing-webmaster-tools
Google Search Console vs Bing Webmaster Tools — features, pricing, and which to choose for your SEO workflow in 2026.
Quick Verdict
While Google Search Console dominates most SEO workflows, Bing Webmaster Tools shouldn't be ignored—Microsoft's search engine still captures 6-10% of search traffic in many markets. Both are free webmaster tools from the search engines themselves, but they serve different purposes in your SEO stack.
The real question isn't whether to use one or the other, but understanding what each tool reveals about your search performance. Google Search Console is essential for any serious SEO strategy, while Bing Webmaster Tools offers unique insights that Google doesn't provide, plus easier access to certain diagnostic features.
Feature Comparison
Google Search Console excels at performance data granularity. Its Performance report shows 16 months of click, impression, CTR, and position data with powerful filtering by query, page, country, and device. The Coverage report identifies indexing issues across your entire site, while Core Web Vitals data helps optimize page experience. URL Inspection provides real-time crawling and indexing status for individual pages. Bing Webmaster Tools takes a different approach with some genuinely useful unique features. Its Keyword Research tool shows search volume and related keywords directly in the platform—something Google Search Console doesn't offer. The SEO Reports section provides automated site audits highlighting technical issues, duplicate content, and crawl errors. Bing also offers more generous API limits and clearer submission processes for sitemaps and URL removals. The data freshness differs significantly. Google Search Console typically shows performance data with a 2-3 day delay, while Bing Webmaster Tools can lag 5-7 days for some reports. However, Bing's crawl error reporting often catches issues faster than Google's systems.
Pricing Comparison
Both tools are completely free with no paid tiers or premium features. Google Search Console requires a Google account and domain verification through DNS, HTML file upload, or Google Analytics/Tag Manager. Bing Webmaster Tools needs a Microsoft account and similar verification methods. The hidden cost is time investment. Google Search Console has a steeper learning curve but provides more actionable data once mastered. Bing Webmaster Tools is more straightforward but requires checking multiple sections to get the full picture of your site's performance.
Best For
Google Search Console is essential if you're serious about SEO. Google processes 8.5 billion searches daily—ignoring this data means flying blind on 90%+ of your organic traffic. Use it for identifying top-performing content, tracking ranking changes, diagnosing indexing problems, and monitoring Core Web Vitals. The Performance report alone provides insights you can't get elsewhere. Bing Webmaster Tools works best as a supplementary tool for keyword research, technical auditing, and reaching that extra 6-10% of search traffic. Its built-in keyword research feature saves you from needing separate tools for basic search volume data. The automated SEO reports catch technical issues that might slip through other auditing tools.
The Verdict
Start with Google Search Console—it's non-negotiable for modern SEO. Add Bing Webmaster Tools once you're comfortable with GSC's basics. While Bing's market share is smaller, the unique features (especially keyword research) and different perspective on your site's health make it worth the minimal setup time. Most SEO professionals use both, checking Google Search Console daily and Bing Webmaster Tools weekly for supplementary insights.