{"id":2611,"date":"2025-08-14T06:05:27","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T05:05:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2611"},"modified":"2025-08-13T13:09:47","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T12:09:47","slug":"seo-for-google-vs-seo-for-bing-which-works-best-for-small-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/2025\/08\/seo-for-google-vs-seo-for-bing-which-works-best-for-small-businesses\/","title":{"rendered":"SEO for Google vs SEO for Bing: Which Works Best for Small Businesses?"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 6<\/span> minutes : <\/span><\/span>

SEO for Google vs SEO for Bing: Which Works Best for Small Businesses?<\/h1>\n

Google isn\u2019t the only game in town. Bing\u2019s still here. If you\u2019re running a small business, should you be chasing Google rankings, Bing rankings \u2013 or both? Let\u2019s break it down without the boring bits.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Why Bother Thinking About Bing?<\/h2>\n

Most people think \u201csearch engine\u201d and instantly picture Google\u2019s colourful logo. And yes, Google is massive. It owns more than 90% of the search market in the UK. But here\u2019s the thing: that still leaves millions of searches every single day happening on other platforms, and Bing is the biggest of those.<\/p>\n

Some of those Bing searches aren\u2019t even on \u201cBing.com\u201d directly. They happen inside Windows computers, Microsoft Edge browsers, Office search bars, and even voice searches through Alexa. This means people are using Bing without even realising it.<\/p>\n

For a small business, ignoring Bing is a bit like refusing to hand out flyers in a busy shopping centre just because there\u2019s a bigger one across town. Sure, Google\u2019s High Street has more foot traffic, but Bing\u2019s mall still has plenty of customers \u2013 and they might be easier to reach.<\/p>\n

Google vs Bing: The Basics<\/h2>\n

Both Google and Bing do the same core job: they help people find answers online. You type in (or say) a question, and they spit out a list of results. The magic is in how<\/em> they decide what to show you.<\/p>\n

That decision-making is what we call search algorithms<\/strong>. These are massive, constantly changing sets of rules and formulas that look at your website\u2019s content, how people interact with it, and loads of other factors. The aim is to figure out which sites are the most relevant and trustworthy for that search.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the twist: Google and Bing don\u2019t rank sites exactly the same way. They care about slightly different things, and that can really matter for a small business trying to stand out.<\/p>\n

How Google Decides What\u2019s \u201cBest\u201d<\/h2>\n

Google\u2019s ranking system is famously secretive, but we know a few key things:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Backlinks are gold dust<\/strong> \u2013 If other reputable sites link to you, Google sees you as more trustworthy.<\/li>\n
  • Mobile-first indexing<\/strong> \u2013 Google looks at the mobile version of your site first when deciding rankings. If your mobile site is a mess, your rankings will suffer.<\/li>\n
  • Page speed and Core Web Vitals<\/strong> \u2013 Slow sites get pushed down. Google loves fast-loading, smooth websites.<\/li>\n
  • Content quality and relevance<\/strong> \u2013 Google is big on \u201cE-E-A-T\u201d (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness).<\/li>\n
  • Search intent matching<\/strong> \u2013 Google\u2019s AI is scarily good at guessing what the user actually means, even if they type something vague.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    In short, Google\u2019s like that picky teacher who marks you not just on having the right answer, but on neat handwriting, good spelling, and showing your working out.<\/p>\n

    How Bing Chooses Its Winners<\/h2>\n

    Bing shares some of Google\u2019s priorities, but it\u2019s not a copycat. Here\u2019s what tends to matter more to Bing:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Exact keyword matches<\/strong> \u2013 Bing likes seeing your exact search phrase in your title, headings, and text.<\/li>\n
    • Meta tags and descriptions<\/strong> \u2013 Bing still pays close attention to these. If you haven\u2019t touched your meta descriptions in years, you could be missing a Bing boost.<\/li>\n
    • Multimedia content<\/strong> \u2013 Bing is more likely to reward sites that use high-quality images, videos, and other visual elements.<\/li>\n
    • Social signals<\/strong> \u2013 While Google says it ignores likes and shares as a ranking factor, Bing seems to give them more weight.<\/li>\n
    • Older domains<\/strong> \u2013 Bing appears to trust sites that have been around longer, even if they haven\u2019t updated constantly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      So if Google\u2019s like a strict teacher, Bing is more like a friendly librarian who still appreciates the old-fashioned index cards as well as the fancy online catalogue.<\/p>\n

      Quality of Results: Which Feels Better?<\/h2>\n

      This is where it gets subjective. If you\u2019re used to Google\u2019s results, Bing can feel a little \u201cold school\u201d \u2013 more literal, more keyword-focused and not as useful or as accurate. Google\u2019s results are often more about what they think you meant, not what you actually typed.<\/p>\n

      Google\u2019s Result Quality<\/h3>\n

      Google\u2019s strength is its ability to read between the lines. If you search for \u201cbest cake near me\u201d, Google will not only show you local bakeries, but also reviews, maps, opening hours, and maybe even related blog posts about top cake spots in your area. It\u2019s context-aware and tries to answer the question you haven\u2019t fully asked.<\/p>\n

      The downside? Sometimes Google\u2019s \u201csmarts\u201d push smaller sites down the page in favour of big-name brands or its own services (Maps, YouTube, Shopping). This can be frustrating if you\u2019re that smaller site.<\/p>\n

      Bing\u2019s Result Quality<\/h3>\n

      Bing tends to be more straightforward. Search \u201cbest cake near me\u201d and you\u2019ll likely see a list of bakeries with contact info and maybe some Bing Maps integration. Less fluff, more direct links to actual businesses.<\/p>\n

      That directness can be a plus for small businesses. If Bing finds your site and you\u2019ve optimised it well, you\u2019ve got a better shot at landing near the top without having to fight with as many giant corporations.<\/p>\n

      SEO Workload: Is Bing Easier to Rank On?<\/h2>\n

      Many small businesses find Bing less competitive than Google. This doesn\u2019t mean you can throw up a basic site and instantly rank \u2013 you still need good content and solid technical setup \u2013 but there\u2019s simply less competition fighting for the same spots.<\/p>\n

      Google SEO often feels like running a marathon while everyone else is on steroids. Bing SEO feels more like a local fun run \u2013 you still have to try, but you\u2019re not elbowing your way past 5,000 pros in branded sports gear.<\/p>\n

      What SEO for Google Looks Like in Practice<\/h2>\n
        \n
      1. Do your keyword research<\/strong> \u2013 Figure out what your audience actually searches for, and use tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush.<\/li>\n
      2. Create high-quality, relevant content<\/strong> \u2013 Blog posts, guides, FAQs \u2013 anything that genuinely answers a question.<\/li>\n
      3. Earn backlinks<\/strong> \u2013 PR mentions, business directories for example.<\/li>\n
      4. Optimise for mobile<\/strong> \u2013 Make sure your site looks and works great on phones.<\/li>\n
      5. Improve page speed<\/strong> \u2013 Compress images, use caching, keep code tidy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        What SEO for Bing Looks Like in Practice<\/h2>\n
          \n
        1. Include exact-match keywords<\/strong> \u2013 Use the actual phrases people type, especially in titles and H1 headings.<\/li>\n
        2. Polish your meta tags<\/strong> \u2013 Write descriptive, keyword-rich meta titles and descriptions.<\/li>\n
        3. Use great visuals<\/strong> \u2013 High-quality images with descriptive file names and alt text.<\/li>\n
        4. Encourage social sharing<\/strong> \u2013 Bing seems to notice if your content is getting buzz.<\/li>\n
        5. Submit your site to Bing Webmaster Tools<\/strong> \u2013 This is their version of Google Search Console, and it\u2019s surprisingly helpful.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Should a Small Business Focus on Google or Bing?<\/h2>\n

          If you have to pick just one, it\u2019s hard to ignore Google\u2019s size. The sheer volume of searches means the potential traffic is huge. But \u2013 and this is important \u2013 you might find that Bing sends you more<\/em> of the kind of traffic that actually converts into paying customers.<\/p>\n

          For example, if your target market is over 50, you might be surprised how many of them use Bing without realising it. Many stick with the default browser on their Windows computer, which uses Bing. They\u2019re also more likely to click on organic results than ads.<\/p>\n

          So the \u201cbest\u201d choice depends on your audience:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • Broad, mixed audience?<\/strong> \u2013 Prioritise Google, but don\u2019t ignore Bing.<\/li>\n
          • Older or more traditional customers?<\/strong> \u2013 Bing might be a goldmine.<\/li>\n
          • Super niche local business?<\/strong> \u2013 Do both, but Bing could get you quick wins.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Why You Might Want to Do Both Anyway<\/h2>\n

            Here\u2019s the thing: optimising for Google will cover about 70\u201380% of what Bing wants anyway. The reverse is also true. The overlap is big enough that you can tweak a few things and get decent results on both without doubling your workload.<\/p>\n

            Think of it like baking a Victoria sponge and a chocolate cake. The base recipe is the same \u2013 you just change a couple of ingredients to suit each one.<\/p>\n

            Practical Tips for Covering Both<\/h2>\n
              \n
            • Use exact keywords (Bing loves it) but also sprinkle in related terms and natural language for Google.<\/li>\n
            • Write strong meta descriptions \u2013 they won\u2019t hurt on Google who ignore them for ranking, and Bing may reward them.<\/li>\n
            • Keep your site mobile-friendly and fast \u2013 both care about this, but Google especially.<\/li>\n
            • Use quality images with proper alt text \u2013 Bing cares more, but Google\u2019s getting fussier about accessibility too.<\/li>\n
            • Check both Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools regularly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n

              Google might be the king of search, but Bing is more like the dependable local mayor \u2013 fewer subjects, but more attention to each one. For a small business, that can mean real opportunities, especially if your competitors are all laser-focused on Google alone.<\/p>\n

              In the end, you don\u2019t have to swear loyalty to one or the other. If you put in the effort to understand what each values, you can get your site showing up in both \u2013 and that means more eyeballs, more clicks, and hopefully more sales.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Reading Time: <\/span> 6<\/span> minutes : <\/span><\/span>SEO for Google vs SEO for Bing: Which Works Best for Small Businesses? Google isn\u2019t the only game in town. Bing\u2019s still here. If you\u2019re running a small business, should you be chasing Google rankings, Bing rankings \u2013 or both? Let\u2019s break it down without the boring bits.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2611","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business-advice","category-seo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2611"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2611"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2611"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.forestsoftware.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2611"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}