Person sitting on an armchair with a tablet and keyboard on their lap, they are typing on the keyboard.
Picture of Lucie Price
Lucie Price

Helping Small and Medium Businesses Achieve Their Full Marketing Potential | Digital Marketing Expert

The Ultimate Guide to Microsoft Bing Advertising

Here’s All the GOOD Bits:

  • Bing is the audience Google skips – it holds just 4.68% of global search referrals to Google’s 91.25%.
  • Bing reaches valuable audiences – according to Microsoft, 35% of its UK search audience has a household income in the top 25%.
  • An alternative to Google’s crowded ad space – Bing gives businesses another channel to test alongside Google Ads.
  • Reach beyond Bing – Microsoft Advertising can put your ads across Bing, Microsoft properties and an extended network of search and publishing partners.
  • Built for testing, not just scaling – Bing can give businesses another place to test new keywords or markets without relying solely on Google Ads.
  • Not just an afterthought – Bing rewards a real strategy (audience targeting, negative keywords, A/B testing). That means you shouldn’t just copy-paste Google campaigns and hope for the best.

When discussing online advertising platforms, the first thought that springs to mind is likely to be Google Ads (or Meta Ads). However, another platform with great potential is often left unexplored: Microsoft Bing Advertising.

Microsoft Bing can be used as an effective advertising platform, allowing brands to extend their reach towards new audiences and, in return, potentially generate additional returns from their ad spend. With Bing Ads, businesses can reach audiences across Bing, Microsoft properties and Microsoft’s wider network of search partners.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll tell you why you should consider using Bing. Then, we’ll take you through every step, from creating an account to planning ads and optimising live campaigns. 

So whether you’re new to Bing Ads or just looking to give your current strategies a power-up, we have you covered. 

Reasons to Use Microsoft Bing Advertising

1. Reach a Different Audience

Bing’s audience tends to differ from Google’s in some key ways:

According to Microsoft Advertising’s UK audience data, 35% of its search audience has a household income in the top 25%. If your business is looking for gold, Bing’s where you should start digging.

2. An Alternative to Google’s Crowded Ad Space

As of August 2026, Bing holds 4.68% of global search referrals compared with Google’s 91.25%. While its share of the search market is considerably smaller, that doesn’t mean advertisers should ignore it. Bing can have fewer advertisers competing for certain keywords, giving businesses another channel to test alongside Google Ads.

3. Cross-Platform Reach

Microsoft Advertising not only covers Bing. Depending on your campaign type and settings, your ads can also appear on:

  • Search partners: Sites such as Yahoo, AOL, DuckDuckGo and Ecosia.

  • Microsoft properties: Including MSN, Microsoft Edge and Outlook.

  • Partner placements: Additional sites across the wider Microsoft Advertising Network.

This gives campaigns opportunities to reach users beyond Bing itself.

Not convinced? Here’s a table on what Microsoft Advertising can give you that Google Advertising can’t.

PlatformMicrosoft Advertising (Bing)Google Ads
Search market share4.68% of global search referrals91.25% of global search referrals
What this means for advertisersPotentially fewer advertisers competing for certain keywords, which may mean lower competition and costs, depending on the industry and campaignGoogle’s larger advertising ecosystem can mean greater competition for some keywords
AudienceMicrosoft’s UK audience data shows that 35% of its search audience has a household income in the top 25%Significantly larger overall search audience
Network reachBing, Microsoft properties and an extended network of search and publishing partnersGoogle Search, YouTube, Gmail, and the Google Display Network
Best forBusinesses looking to diversify their paid search activity and test audiences beyond GoogleMaximum volume and reach across all audience types

Creating a Microsoft Bing Ads Account

Step 1: Create An Account

Head over to the Microsoft Advertising website and create an account. If you’re currently utilising Google Ads, the process may be easy using the import and export function of Microsoft Advertising.

Step 2: Choose Your Campaign Type

Microsoft Advertising offers several campaign types and formats. Some of the main options include:

  • Search Ads: Text-based ads that appear across Microsoft’s search network.

  • Audience Ads: Native ads shown across Microsoft properties and partner placements.

  • Shopping Campaigns: Product-focused campaigns designed for eCommerce brands.

  • Performance Max: Automated campaigns that use Microsoft’s available inventory to help drive conversions across multiple formats and placements.

Remember to always choose a campaign type that suits your marketing goals.

Step 3: Set Your Budget & Bids

You can set either a daily or monthly budget and select from the following bidding options provided by Microsoft:

  • Manual CPC bidding: You assign the bids yourself.
  • eCPC (Enhanced CPC): Maximises conversions through automatic bid adjustments.
  • Target CPA: Automatic bid adjustments to ensure you achieve your desired cost per acquisition.

Step 4: Research Keywords

Find related keywords for your advertisement based on high search volume and low competition by using the Microsoft Advertising Keyword Planner.

How to Create Successful Bing Ads

1. “Look At Me, I’m An Attention-Grabbing Headline!”

Coming up with good headlines is easier said than done. But they’re vital to a successful ad and need to be able to stop browsers in their tracks. To do this, follow our guidelines (and don’t copy the above headline):

  • Clear & concise: Establish your offer/info in simple terms.

  • Direct & specific: Put the unique offer feature upfront.

  • Use keywords: Use target keywords for relevance and click-through rates.

2. Write Persuasive Ad Copy

The body of your ad must expand on the headline. List your product/service’s benefits, provide solutions to pain points, and top it off with a call to action. Your CTAs may include: 

  • Book Your Free Consultation
  • Order now and Save X%
  • Sign up Today

3. Use Ad Extensions

Ad extensions can assist in making your campaigns more visible. The most commonly used extension types include:

  • Sitelink Extensions: Links that guide users to certain pages on your site.
  • Call Extensions: Provides your audience with a clickable phone number.
  • Location Extensions: Display your business address to potential customers.

4. Optimise Your Landing Page to Be More Effective

Make sure your landing page reflects the message in your ad! Here are some best practices to follow:

  • Optimised loading speeds.
  • Mobile-friendly interface.
  • An attention-grabbing headline.
  • Effective CTAs with minimal distractions.

Optimisation Tips for Your Bing Ads Campaign

1. Use Audience Targeting

Microsoft Bing Advertising provides features for advanced targeting, such as:

  • Demographics: Make sure to choose the right age groups, gender, or income levels to target.
  • Device Types: Choose appropriate advertising types for desktop, mobile, or tablet users.
  • Time of Day: Advertise to your audience at the best times.

2. Negative Keywords

Negative keywords prevent your ads from appearing for irrelevant searches. For example, if you sell luxury items, you should avoid “cheap” or “discount” as keywords.

3. A/B Test Your Ads

We recommend A/B testing headlines, primary text, and CTAs to optimise your ad copy and determine the most effective combination. Use Microsoft Advertising’s analytics tools to sidestep any guesswork, check the results and make decisions based on real, relevant data.

4. Monitoring & Adjust

Track the performance of your campaigns by keeping watch on:

  • Click-Through Rate (CTR): Shows how engaging or attractive your ad is to the viewer.
  • Conversion Rate: Shows how efficient the ads are in getting the desired actions.
  • Cost-Per-Acquisition (CPA): Gives an idea of how much you spend on acquiring one customer.

Get Started with Bing Advertising Today

Microsoft Bing Advertising offers a powerful, cost-effective way to reach new customers. With its unique audience, advanced targeting options, and lower competition, it’s a smart choice for businesses of all sizes. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to grow your business—partner with The Good Marketer’s Bing Advertising experts and start driving results. Get in touch with us today!

GET YOUR FREE ACCOUNT AUDIT