Since its launch in 2009, Bing has seen its share of changes. It’s been known as Live Search, Windows Live Search and MSN Search. And the most recent rumblings see Bing replacing Google as Apple’s Spotlight search provider.
As Microsoft’s decision engine, Bing currently provides its users with keyword search capabilities on articles, images, videos, news, and shopping websites with the option to narrow search results by keying in specific commands.
This week, Bing celebrates its 5-year success with a variety of promotions and prizes designed for social media mavericks and digital marketers.
Promotions
In honor of Bing’s anniversary, members can download wallpaper of Bing imagery from the past five years. In addition, the search engine is searching for location-based images from its users. Those who submit a personal photo of a place they adore have a chance of being showcased on Bing, as well as an opportunity to win an Xbox One.
Prizes
Users who join Bing Rewards through June 9 will automatically be entered in a contest to win a Microsoft products and services. Five winners will receive the Ultimate Bing Rewards Prize Package which includes a 12-month Xbox Live Gold Membership; Surface Pro 3 64GB with Surface Pro Type Cover; Nokia Lumia Icon; $500 digital gift card to spend on apps, games and entertainment for Xbox, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8; $100 Microsoft Store gift card; $50 of Skype Credit; a Bing t-shirt.
An additional 500 winners will receive a Bing t-shirt from the Microsoft Merchandise Store. Other prizes include gift cards to Amazon.com, Starbucks, Xbox, Fandango, Toys “R” Us, Applebee’s, Sephora and more, as well as the opportunity to donate credits to your selected charities.
Three winners will receive the new 4G LTE mobile broadband Surface 2 (AT&T 4G LTE) and a cyan Type Cover 2 which enables users to go online without a Wi-Fi connection so long as there is a cell signal.
For the official rules of Bing’s sweepstakes, visit http://akamai.eprizecdn.net/microsoft/227499/rules.pdf. Enter at bing.com from June 3 to June 9, 2014.
