What is Bing Chat? Your A-Z Guide to Getting Started in 2024

by Sarah Cha

on

Wondering “What is Bing Chat?” 

It’s not just another blip on the tech radar, but your next go-to platform for seamless communication. 

In this guide, we’re going to break down everything you need to know to get started, from the basics of kick-starting your first chat to leveraging Bing Chat’s game-changing features. 

We’ll toss in some practical examples, easy-to-follow strategies, and valuable insights, too. 

It’s time to clear the fog and step confidently into the world of Bing Chat.

Ready to start your journey?

Let’s go!

What is Bing Chat?

Bing Chat, introduced by Microsoft in February 2023, isn’t your typical chat application.

It’s an AI-driven chatbot that integrates with Bing’s search engine. 

But it’s not just a simple search tool — Bing Chat transforms the way we interact with the web by letting us converse with an AI instead of merely typing in queries.

And the engine behind it?

ChatGPT. A conversational AI developed by OpenAI. 

However, Microsoft has taken it a step further by integrating Prometheus, a technology that allows Bing Chat to connect directly with Bing’s search engine. This gives you safer, faster, and more accurate responses to both simple and complex queries.

How does it differ from traditional search

Instead of presenting a list of links, Bing Chat provides complete answers, taking into account the context of your query. 

But it doesn’t stop at answering questions. This chatbot can perform a multitude of tasks, from writing poems to playing games or even generating code.

You can tailor your chat experience by choosing from three different conversation styles — Creative, Balanced, and Precise. This flexibility allows you to guide the tone and accuracy of the chatbot’s responses.

It also includes a citation feature, offering sources for the information provided, allowing you to verify its accuracy. 

And the platform isn’t limited to text — it integrates with OpenAI’s DALL-E model to generate images in response to your queries, a feature known as “Image Creator.”

Though initially only available on desktop, Bing Chat has since expanded to mobile and has been integrated into the Microsoft Edge browser, providing quick answers without switching tabs. 

While the chatbot does have daily limits on the number of questions and sessions, these have progressively increased over time.

In essence, Bing Chat is an accessible, versatile AI chatbot experience that offers a more interactive way to navigate the digital world. 

How to Get Started with Bing Chat Across Different Platforms

a woman uses a phone and a laptop

Ready to try Bing Chat for yourself? 

Whether you’re using a desktop browser or mobile, the process is straightforward. Let’s walk through how to get started on various platforms…

Your Desktop

If you’re on a desktop, Bing Chat is conveniently accessible through the Microsoft Edge browser. Here’s how to use it:

  • Open the Edge browser.
  • Click on the Bing icon at the top-right of the screen (a blue “B”).
  • In the dialogue box that pops out at the bottom, type your question.
  • Send your question and wait for a response.

Bing Chat will respond to your question based on web results and its language model, providing citations and links to demonstrate its answer. 

You can also ask follow-up questions, allowing you to refine your search or delve deeper.

And the experience isn’t confined to your computer… 

Your Smartphone (& Tablet)

If you’re on the move and prefer using your smartphone or tablet, Bing Chat is available on Android and iOS via the Bing mobile app:

  • Download the app
  • Open it and find the chatbot
  • Start typing your query.

Simple. But there’s one crucial thing to keep in mind as you converse with Bing Chat…

As conversations can become lengthy, you’ll eventually hit a character limit which signals the limit of what the AI can remember. 

Another point to note is that you’ll need to be signed into a Microsoft account to use it. This requirement was introduced when Bing Chat became available to all users in May 2023.

Other than that, feel free to embrace the simplicity and interactivity across each device. With this new way of searching, the world of information is literally at your fingertips like never before.

How Does Bing Chat Stack Up Against its Rivals?

In the rapidly evolving world of AI and digital assistance, Bing Chat faces competition from several high-profile platforms. 

Let’s take a closer look at how Bing Chat measures up against its counterparts…

Bing Chat vs. ChatGPT

Green 3D ChatGPT icon

Despite sharing similar technology underpinnings from OpenAI, Bing Chat and ChatGPT offer different experiences to their users.

For example, Bing Chat takes the lead when it comes to accessibility. 

Accessing Bing Chat is simple and straightforward — just open your Edge browser, navigate to Bing, and click on the chat icon. 

In contrast, ChatGPT, though a powerful language model, requires a little more navigation and might not be as intuitive to the uninitiated. 

Plus, some of ChatGPT’s newest features are locked behind a paywall, while Bing Chat offers its full suite of features free of charge.

When it comes to the user experience, Bing Chat was designed with the intention of creating a more conversational, engaging search experience. 

This contrasts with ChatGPT, which, while highly interactive, doesn’t offer the same seamless integration with search functionality.

In terms of the user experience, Bing Chat offers a more conversational, engaging search experience. This contrasts with ChatGPT, which, while highly interactive, doesn’t offer the same seamless integration with search functionality.

ChatGPT, though, does shine brightly in content creation. 

When it comes to crafting long-form text such as articles, reports, or creative writing, ChatGPT’s extensive training data and fine-tuned AI make it a powerhouse for generating rich, nuanced content. 

Bing Chat vs. Google Bard

Hand holds phone with Bard logo

Now, let’s turn the spotlight to Google Bard. How does it stand up against Bing Chat?

Bing Chat offers a more conversational user interface that allows users to engage in a natural dialogue with the AI. It’s designed to respond intelligently to user queries, offering not just a search result, but an understanding of the context around the search. 

This is largely due to its integration with the Bing search engine and the use of the ChatGPT language model.

Google Bard, on the other hand, takes a somewhat different approach. 

Instead of offering a chat-based user interface, it’s primarily focused on providing users with direct, straightforward answers to their search queries. 

The interface and user experience can feel less conversational and engaging compared to Bing Chat, but for those looking for simple, straight-to-the-point answers, Google Bard excels.

In terms of accessibility, Bing Chat is integrated into Microsoft’s Edge browser, while Google Bard is primarily accessible through Google’s suite of services, which means that which one wins depends on which browser you are more comfortable using.

When it comes to AI capabilities, Bing Chat impresses with its image creation ability, using OpenAI’s DALL-E technology to generate images based on textual descriptions. 

This feature offers a unique interactive dimension to the user experience. Google Bard, while able to help you find images, doesn’t yet offer a similar image creation feature.

In the end, each platform comes with its own set of strengths. The choice between the two will largely depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Bing Chat vs. Jasper AI

robot hand with lights

Next, let’s see how Bing Chat measures up compared to Jasper.

Jasper is an AI writing tool designed specifically for creating high-quality content and marketing copy. It comes with over 50 templates for various needs, such as social media copy, eCommerce product descriptions, and SEO content writing.

Jasper also provides an extensive toolkit for marketers and content creators with workflows, brand voice customization, a browser extension, SEO mode, and even an AI art generator.

However, like any tool, Jasper has its limitations. 

Although it generates well-written, accurate, and natural-sounding content, it may struggle with niche topics and could produce generic-sounding output. 

Also, Jasper does not fact-check the information it uses, so if the input information is incorrect, the output will mirror this.

Both Bing Chat and Jasper have their unique strengths and uses. 

While Bing Chat excels at facilitating interactive conversations, Jasper shines in the field of content creation and marketing. 

If your primary need is to get answers for specific questions, Bing Chat is likely a better option.

Conversely, if you’re a content creator, marketer, or business owner looking to automate content generation, Jasper could be a valuable tool for you.

Tips for Using Bing Chat

laptop showing home screen

Now, let’s delve into some practical tips to maximize your Bing Chat experience…

  • Choose a conversation style: Bing Chat allows you to choose a conversation style. You can opt for More Creative, More Balanced, or More Precise responses, depending on your preference.
  • Be specific with your queries: To get the most accurate results, it’s best to be specific and detailed in your queries. The more precise your question, the more detailed your answer.
  • Check answer sources: Always check the sources of the answers your search query produces to ensure they’re credible.
  • Start a new topic: The chatbot operates referentially, meaning it assumes your next query is related to the first one. So if you want to switch topics, you should start a new conversation to get accurate results.
  • Copy and Rate Answers: Bing allows you to copy responses and share them with others. You can also rate the answers to help improve the AI’s performance.
  • Use Bing Image Creator: Microsoft has integrated the AI image generator DALL-E 2, allowing users to generate images based on text prompts. You can utilize this feature through the Bing Chat or the dedicated Bing Image Generator site.
  • Use it on your mobile device: As of February 22, 2023, Microsoft’s Bing chatbot is available on the iOS and Android Bing, Edge, and Skype apps. Microsoft has also integrated Bing Chat with ChatGPT into the SwiftKey keyboard.

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to optimize your use of Bing Chat and make it an integral part of your daily digital interactions.

Ready to Finally Answer What is Bing Chat?

3D blue bing logo on a white square

“What is Bing Chat?” you wondered when you started reading this article. 

Now, you have your answer: it’s your friendly digital librarian, always on standby to help you navigate the sprawling library of the internet. 

This tech marvel has transformed the AI chatbot universe from an intimidating jungle into a friendly neighborhood.

It’s not just a technological breakthrough, it’s the dawn of a new era where digital interactions are simpler and more human-like. 

So embrace the future of online searching that Bing Chat represents. It’s not just knocking on your door — it’s here to stay, and with the knowledge you’ve gained today, you’re all set to master this transformative tool!

Photo of author

Sarah Cha

Sarah Cha is an avid writer, reader, and lifelong learner who loves making magic behind-the-scenes at Smart Blogger. When she's not wrangling words onto a screen or page, you can find her strumming a guitar, tickling a canvas, or playing fetch with her favorite four-footed friend!

GET PAID TO WRITE

Make 2-5K per month, even if you're a beginner. We're seeking writers of any skill level.
Photo of author

Written by Sarah Cha

Sarah Cha is an avid writer, reader, and lifelong learner who loves making magic behind-the-scenes at Smart Blogger. When she's not wrangling words onto a screen or page, you can find her strumming a guitar, tickling a canvas, or playing fetch with her favorite four-footed friend!

Leave a Comment