The answer should be obvious that Google Maps should win by far but there is apparently some debate on it. For instance check a Reddit thread here, where people were discussing Bing vs Google Maps and running some tests on remote locations. You will be surprised about the results but Bing was winning, at least in this thread.
However, currently, in the map industry, there are a few top players: Google, Apple, and Bing Maps. They all have their own way of development. Google Maps has long been the dominant player since launching in 2005 (check GMB to GBP: Evolution of Google Business Profile to get more details on its business listing evolution). Apple Maps laucnhed in 2012 and was highly regarded as a failure due to lots of bugs such as incorrect directions and wrongly-placed landmarks. However, since then it has significantly changed and we will also cover that in the following articles. But Bing was there since 2005 as well, so let’s focus today on our oldest players.
We can compare these services by a few parameters: market share, user coverage, mobile experience, display, directions, street view vs look around, travel, public transportation, and privacy.
- Market share. Bing currently has a 2.47% share of the worldwide search engine market. Google dominates the search engine market with a stunning 92,74%
- User coverage. Google Maps has better usage coverage in website categories like business & industry, travel, shopping, and arts & entertainment. Bing Maps trails Google Maps in all website categories. Moreover, Google Maps is also widely used all around the world, while Bing is being mostly used in the US and UK.
- Mobile experience. Google Maps has been available on smartphones since 2007 and back then it was even Apple’s main map provider. It’s easily downloadable and also not too complicated to use. Bing Maps doesn’t really have an app of its own and is accessible only on your desktop, which is inconvenient if you quickly need to redirect while on the go.
- Reviews. Google has reviewed and it’s big. As customers are often checking reviews on Google to make sure that business is reliable. Despite being an important feature Bing doesn’t have its own reviews. Instead, Bing uses different reviews services, such as Facebook, Yelp, Foursquare, Tripadvisor, etc.
- Display. Google Maps is the winner here. To be fair, Bing does provide decent images of streets. However, by no means, it can compete with Google in terms of widespread image coverage.
- Directions. Bing Maps often provide clear instruction on your directions, with an option to add multiple destinations and adjust your route. On top of that, they also offer information about traffic when possible. Google Maps here is a little bit more advanced and is not only trying to give you the most convenient route, but also taking into account all delays, incidents, and traffic. It also instantly warns you of any traffic delays on your journey and offers alternative routes.
- Street view vs Look around. Bing Maps has a very limited street view feature named Streetside. Most photo's quality there is very low and images seem to not been updated since 2009. On the other hand, Google’s feature is doing great. It had initially been implemented, so users can become familiar with the place of their destination. However, it’s also fun to check some places! Most of us, at least once, browsed it just for fun to check some unusual places or familiar places that we’ve not visited in a long time.
- Travels. Google Maps offers more here as well, with the addition of plane routes and cycling directions. However, Bing Maps is also doing great here. Both platforms also let you add multiple destinations.
- Public Transportations. Google again outperforms Bing here. Google Maps provides you with the fastest methods of transportation by the time when you would like to leave, and so does Bing. But Google Maps provides you with alternatives, such as Uber, even with an estimated price for a ride. Google also provides users with a few additional options, such as looking for wheelchair-accessible transport.
- Privacy. Google is known for using data of people who use their devices. Sometimes it can be handy and sometimes scary as it could be extremely accurate. It’s also possible to turn off this feature (check some options here). Same with Bing. Microsoft tracks your search history so it can suggest locations when you use their services. However, this tracking is easier to turn off in comparison to Google Maps.
Conclusion
Google Business Profile should be of primary concern to any business that would like to manage their online presence because most of us use Google. However, you shouldn’t just forget about Bing Maps. Despite the smaller market share, it’s still the second biggest search engine in the world, there is an audience with specific needs (typically less tech-savvy and older), and it has cool integrations with a bunch of services (e.g. OpenStreetMaps). There are other interesting options, such as Apple Maps, TomTom, Here WeGo, Snapchat, and the aforementioned OpenStreetMaps. Let us know if you’re interested to know more about them and in our next articles, we will try to cover them. Meanwhile, go give Bing Maps a shot and check how it will work out for you. Maybe you’ll discover new segments of clients who have been looking exactly for your business :)
