Windows 10: Microsoft shows another Bing popup advertisement to Windows users

GHacks · Mar 18, 2024

Microsoft has done it again. This time, the company displayed a popup advertising its Bing search service to Chrome users on Windows devices.

The popup appeared for users who launched Chrome on the Windows device. It read "Chat with GPT-4 for free on Chrome! Get hundreds of daily chat turns with Bing AI".

To do that, users just had to click on the yes button. It would make Bing the default search engine in Google Chrome and install the Bing Service for improving the chat experience.

A click on the yes button makes Bing the default search engine in Google Chrome on the device. It will also install the Bing Chrome extension.

Google notifies users about the attempt to change settings and displays an option to undo the change.

In a statement to various news outlets, Microsoft said: "this is a one-time notification giving people the choice to set Bing as their default search engine on Chrome". Microsoft furthermore stated" we value providing our customers with choice, so there is an option to dismiss the notification".

While Microsoft spins it to look like it is doing its customers a favor, the response has been mostly negative on the Internet. Reactions range from abusing its control of the Windows operating system to malware-like behavior.

Microsoft clearly uses these popups and others to push its services. Since it has done so several times in the recent past, it seems to work out well for the company, even taking the backlash into account that happens each time.

This is not the first time that Microsoft is using Windows to advertise its service. Back in 2017, Microsoft advertised one of its Chrome extensions as a popup over Chrome's taskbar icon.

The last popup ad that Microsoft showed on Windows desktops targeted Chrome users as well.

Back in August 2023, Microsoft showed a very similar looking popup ad to users of Chrome. This one also asked users to switch the default search engine to Microsoft Bing in Chrome, promising access to Microsoft Rewards and AI. The Bing extension was also listed and would be installed when users activated the yes button.

There was also the recent issue that Edge imported data from Chrome automatically. Microsoft said that this was caused by a bug. The browser offers an option to import Chrome browser data on launch, but this needs to be enabled by the user manually first.

This is not about choice

Displaying popup ads to users to switch to Bing or another product is patronizing. Users have their own setup and services that they use. Yes, this is likely Google Search in Google Chrome.

The popups give users minimal choice. Say yes and Bing Search is made the default in Chrome and you get the Bing extension on top of that. Decline, and there is a good chance that Microsoft will display another popup in the future.

It is almost as if Microsoft is trying to wear users down until they give in and make Bing the default just to get rid of the popups. It is a clear abuse of power on Microsoft's part, especially because there is no "never again" option.

Windows offers no clear controls to turn of advertising and advertising popups. You can check out my guide on turning of advertising popups in Windows 11 here to take care of major offenders.

Closing Words

Microsoft is not the only company that is using its dominance to push its own products. Google has used the power of its websites to push its Chrome web browser as well.

This does not make Microsoft's behavior any better, but underlines that this is widespread behavior.

Now You: what is your take on this?

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft shows another Bing popup advertisement to Windows users appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

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Brink · Mar 18, 2024

Bing Ads is now Microsoft Advertising

Bing Ads name change — The evolution of Microsoft Advertising

These days, marketers have more power than ever to identify and reach customers. With data, AI and automation at your fingertips, it’s no longer just reaching more people that matters to growing your brand. It’s about making each connection feel one-to-one, at just the right time and place. More meaningful, more timely, and more valuable — this is how we see advertising evolving.

We’re evolving, too. We’re changing our name from Bing Ads to Microsoft Advertising. It’s a simple shift because our clients and partners already know us as Microsoft, and many are already tapping into our new advertising products that go above and beyond search, such as the Microsoft Audience Network. You'll see the change start today as BingAds.com becomes MicrosoftAdvertising.comOpens in new window. Our partner program is evolving too, becoming the Microsoft Advertising Partner ProgramOpens in new window. Over the coming months, all of our experiences and materials will be updated to reflect Microsoft Advertising.

Momentum is a powerful thing, and we’re building on a decade of success leading with Bing. We credit our partners, clients and our fans for helping us reach these milestones: 100 months of consecutive Bing share growth, half a million advertisers with access to more than half a billion consumers and most recently, becoming the exclusive provider of search advertising across Verizon Media properties. Bing remains the consumer search brand in our portfolio, and will only become more important as intent data drives more personalization and product innovation. But we’re not stopping there.

One thing that’s not changing — the importance of advancing trust as we innovate. Adopting personalization through AI elevates the importance of consumer privacy and control. Integrating intelligent technology into the marketer’s toolkit means valuing brand safety and ensuring data security. Trust is integral to who we are, and it will always guide our innovation and offerings.

What should you expect?

In the next year, we’re introducing more advertising products with built-in AI, more connected to your data and your business. There are two offerings that showcase ways in which Microsoft Advertising is delivering on this potential: the Microsoft Audience Network and Sponsored Products.

New capabilities through the Microsoft Audience Network:

Last year, we launched the Microsoft Audience Network which uses AI, rich audience intent, and profile understanding to help marketers reach consumers in brand-safe environments. Today we are announcing updates to this offer: First, we have deployed product enhancements, including viewable impressions, image upload and management tool updates to make managing images even easier. And second, we're expanding audience campaigns to the UK and Canada later this summer.

Our clients are already seeing great results. Overstock.com has achieved a quarterly ROAS increase of 33% since they started with the Microsoft Audience Network.
“IF THERE ARE [BUSINESSES] LOOKING AT ANY KIND OF WIN, ANY KIND OF INCREMENTALITY WHEN IT COMES TO CLICKS AND ADDITIONAL CONVERSIONS, I WOULD DEFINITELY SUGGEST MICROSOFT AUDIENCE ADS,” SAYS STEVEN SUN, SENIOR PAID SEARCH MANAGER AT OVERSTOCK. “THAT'S SOMETHING WE’LL BE DOING MORE OF IN THE FUTURE TO HELP US INCREASE CONVERSIONS AND OUR ROAS.”
Introducing Sponsored Products:

We've made great strides in our shopping offer, including new consumer experiences which help shoppers filter, suggest, and visually search and find relevant products. For marketers, our new Sponsored ProductsOpens in new window (available in US only) enable manufacturers to boost visibility and drive more traffic for their top products in shopping campaigns. With this new capability, our clients can achieve better alignment of marketing efforts between manufacturers and retailers. Together, the connections they create with shoppers work harder to drive performance — clicks, conversions, and ROI. Manufacturers gain access to new reporting and optimization capabilities, and retailers get additional product marketing support with a fair cost split. To join this Sponsored Products beta, we encourage you to reach out to your account team or if you don’t have an account team, complete the Sponsored Products beta formOpens in new window.

We'll be kicking off more conversation at our global Partner Summit starting tomorrow, sharing more of our roadmap, hosting Q&As with Microsoft executives, and most of all, listening to the partners and marketers that we’re here to support.

We believe in empowering every marketer on the planet to achieve more, and our success is realized in what our partners accomplish. The Bing Ads name change to Microsoft Advertising is a reinforcement of this commitment. Thank you for being a part of our success to date, and for helping shape our evolution as a better, more empowering partner.

Rik van der Kooi,
CORPORATE VICE PRESIDENT, MICROSOFT SEARCH ADVERTISING
Click to expand...

Source: Bing Ads name change - Bing Ads

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) View on Twiiter
Click to expand...

Brink · Mar 18, 2024

Bing Ads is now Microsoft Advertising

Bing Ads name change — The evolution of Microsoft Advertising

These days, marketers have more power than ever to identify and reach customers. With data, AI and automation at your fingertips, it’s no longer just reaching more people that matters to growing your brand. It’s about making each connection feel one-to-one, at just the right time and place. More meaningful, more timely, and more valuable — this is how we see advertising evolving.

We’re evolving, too. We’re changing our name from Bing Ads to Microsoft Advertising. It’s a simple shift because our clients and partners already know us as Microsoft, and many are already tapping into our new advertising products that go above and beyond search, such as the Microsoft Audience Network. You'll see the change start today as BingAds.com becomes MicrosoftAdvertising.comOpens in new window. Our partner program is evolving too, becoming the Microsoft Advertising Partner ProgramOpens in new window. Over the coming months, all of our experiences and materials will be updated to reflect Microsoft Advertising.

Momentum is a powerful thing, and we’re building on a decade of success leading with Bing. We credit our partners, clients and our fans for helping us reach these milestones: 100 months of consecutive Bing share growth, half a million advertisers with access to more than half a billion consumers and most recently, becoming the exclusive provider of search advertising across Verizon Media properties. Bing remains the consumer search brand in our portfolio, and will only become more important as intent data drives more personalization and product innovation. But we’re not stopping there.

One thing that’s not changing — the importance of advancing trust as we innovate. Adopting personalization through AI elevates the importance of consumer privacy and control. Integrating intelligent technology into the marketer’s toolkit means valuing brand safety and ensuring data security. Trust is integral to who we are, and it will always guide our innovation and offerings.

What should you expect?

In the next year, we’re introducing more advertising products with built-in AI, more connected to your data and your business. There are two offerings that showcase ways in which Microsoft Advertising is delivering on this potential: the Microsoft Audience Network and Sponsored Products.

New capabilities through the Microsoft Audience Network:

Last year, we launched the Microsoft Audience Network which uses AI, rich audience intent, and profile understanding to help marketers reach consumers in brand-safe environments. Today we are announcing updates to this offer: First, we have deployed product enhancements, including viewable impressions, image upload and management tool updates to make managing images even easier. And second, we're expanding audience campaigns to the UK and Canada later this summer.

Our clients are already seeing great results. Overstock.com has achieved a quarterly ROAS increase of 33% since they started with the Microsoft Audience Network.
“IF THERE ARE [BUSINESSES] LOOKING AT ANY KIND OF WIN, ANY KIND OF INCREMENTALITY WHEN IT COMES TO CLICKS AND ADDITIONAL CONVERSIONS, I WOULD DEFINITELY SUGGEST MICROSOFT AUDIENCE ADS,” SAYS STEVEN SUN, SENIOR PAID SEARCH MANAGER AT OVERSTOCK. “THAT'S SOMETHING WE’LL BE DOING MORE OF IN THE FUTURE TO HELP US INCREASE CONVERSIONS AND OUR ROAS.”
Introducing Sponsored Products:

We've made great strides in our shopping offer, including new consumer experiences which help shoppers filter, suggest, and visually search and find relevant products. For marketers, our new Sponsored ProductsOpens in new window (available in US only) enable manufacturers to boost visibility and drive more traffic for their top products in shopping campaigns. With this new capability, our clients can achieve better alignment of marketing efforts between manufacturers and retailers. Together, the connections they create with shoppers work harder to drive performance — clicks, conversions, and ROI. Manufacturers gain access to new reporting and optimization capabilities, and retailers get additional product marketing support with a fair cost split. To join this Sponsored Products beta, we encourage you to reach out to your account team or if you don’t have an account team, complete the Sponsored Products beta formOpens in new window.

We'll be kicking off more conversation at our global Partner Summit starting tomorrow, sharing more of our roadmap, hosting Q&As with Microsoft executives, and most of all, listening to the partners and marketers that we’re here to support.

We believe in empowering every marketer on the planet to achieve more, and our success is realized in what our partners accomplish. The Bing Ads name change to Microsoft Advertising is a reinforcement of this commitment. Thank you for being a part of our success to date, and for helping shape our evolution as a better, more empowering partner.

Rik van der Kooi,
CORPORATE VICE PRESIDENT, MICROSOFT SEARCH ADVERTISING
Click to expand...

Source: Bing Ads name change - Bing Ads

Tweet

— Twitter API (@User) View on Twiiter

Athlon2K15 · Mar 18, 2024

Bing popup in IE8. (Windows7)

it appears that paticular website uses bing for advertising as many sites use google adsense

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