Bing’s ‘Russian invasion of Ukraine’ outcomes present Opinions part and timelines

Microsoft Bing’s search outcomes for queries associated to the battle in Ukraine present an Opinions part and two timelines (one in the principle column and one other within the information panel).

The Opinions part. On Bing, information outcomes sometimes seem within the “Information about” part (on the high of the instance above; this characteristic is much like Google’s High tales part) or in the usual, non-rich end result listings.

Nonetheless, media shops typically publish opinions and commentary on present occasions from non-staff writers. Bing has began highlighting a lot of these ends in their very own part, “Opinions.”

For the question [Ukraine Russia], the Opinions part included six outcomes from totally different media shops. When a featured picture isn’t accessible, Bing will present a preview of the article (as proven above).

The timelines. For related queries, Bing might present as much as two timelines: the horizontal timeline that seems in the principle column of search outcomes and the vertically oriented timeline throughout the information panel (on the right-hand rail of the search outcomes).

The timeline throughout the information panel begins on August 24, 1991, when Ukraine turned an unbiased state following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and consists of prior occasions, such because the annexation of Crimea, which have led to the present state of Russo-Ukrainian affairs.

The horizontal timeline in the principle column solely reveals occasions from February 9 till March 5 (the screenshot beneath was taken on March 14).

Moreover, the principle column timeline cites sources, whereas the information panel timeline doesn’t.

Why we care. The Opinions part might assist Bing contextualize some news-related outcomes for customers. Informing customers {that a} result’s an opinion (and never strictly information) helps them perceive the character of the content material, thus probably lowering misinformation.

Likewise, the timeline options might assist customers perceive how an occasion has unfolded, which can additionally assist them make sense of the content material on that very same search outcomes web page. For instance, if a timeline have been current on coronavirus-related search outcomes, it would present a body of reference for customers, enabling them to raised interpret the variety of each day new circumstances or perceive whether or not restrictions are being loosened or heightened.

The visibility alternatives related to these options are primarily for information publishers, however as was the case with Google’s COVID-related search outcomes web page, these options might finally obtain a wider rollout, which might open up alternatives for manufacturers as properly.

About The Writer

George Nguyen is an editor for Search Engine Land, masking natural and paid search. His background is in journalism and content material advertising. Previous to getting into the trade, he labored as a radio character, author, podcast host and public college instructor.