Bing Search Console

Bing Search Console is a free Microsoft tool that lets you check how your website performs in Bing search results.

Level: IntermediateRead: 2 minUpdated: 27 Jul 2026By Vera Lindqvist

Key facts

Bing Search Console is Microsoft's free platform for verifying site ownership and submitting sitemaps.
It provides data on Bing-specific queries, clicks, impressions, and crawl errors.
You can submit individual URLs for indexing directly through the tool.
The tool is separate from Google Search Console and reflects Bing's own crawl and ranking data.
Verification methods include HTML meta tag, XML file upload, and DNS record.

Also called

Bing Webmaster Tools, Bing Webmaster Console

Use it for

monitoring and improving site visibility in Bing

Applies to

Bing

Verifying Site Ownership in Bing Search Console

Before you can see any data, you must prove you own the site. Bing offers several verification methods.

You can add an HTML meta tag to your homepage. You can also upload a specific XML file to your server. A third option is to add a DNS TXT record through your domain provider.

Once verified, the tool unlocks all reports and features for that site. Verification is a one-time step unless you change domain providers.

HTML meta tag in the <head> section of your homepage.
XML file uploaded to the root of your site.
DNS TXT record added through your domain registrar.

Submitting Sitemaps and URLs

Submitting a sitemap helps Bing discover your pages faster. You can submit your sitemap URL in the Sitemaps section of the tool.

You can also submit individual URLs for immediate indexing. This is useful for new or updated content that you want Bing to crawl quickly.

Bing does not guarantee that submitted URLs will be indexed. But submission can speed up the process compared to waiting for organic discovery.

Sitemap submission: paste your sitemap URL and click submit.
URL submission: paste a single URL and click submit.
Check the status of submitted URLs in the Indexing report.

Reading Performance and Crawl Reports

The Performance report shows queries that brought users to your site from Bing. You can see clicks, impressions, and average position.

The Crawl report lists pages that Bingbot could not access. Common errors include 404 pages, blocked resources, and server timeouts.

You can also see which pages Bing has indexed and which it has excluded. This helps you spot technical issues like missing meta tags or duplicate content.

Queries: see the search terms that drive traffic.
Crawl errors: identify pages Bing cannot reach.
Index coverage: check which pages are in Bing's index.

Common Mistakes with Bing Search Console

Many SEOs treat Bing Search Console as identical to Google Search Console. That is a mistake. Bing's data reflects its own crawl and ranking algorithms, which differ from Google's.

Another common error is failing to submit a sitemap. Without a sitemap, Bing may take longer to discover important pages. This can slow down indexing.

Some people check the tool only once and never return. Regular review of crawl and performance reports can reveal issues that develop over time, such as new 404 errors or drops in impressions.

Treating Bing data as identical to Google data.
Not submitting a sitemap.
Checking the tool only once.

How Bing Search Console Differs from Google Search Console

Bing Search Console and Google Search Console serve similar purposes but for different search engines; you use bing webmaster tools to manage your Bing presence. Bing's tool shows data from Bing's index, not Google's.

Bing's crawl budget is managed differently. The crawl budget in Bing may be smaller for some sites, so submitting a sitemap is more important.

Bing also offers a URL submission feature that Google's tool does not. You can submit individual URLs for immediate crawling, which can help with time-sensitive content. For more details on submitting, see the Submit Website to Search Engines guide. Additionally, the URL Inspection Tool can help check indexing status. To understand the differences between search engines, refer to bing vs yahoo. Finally, the what google search console api means can be useful for automation.

Data reflects Bing's index, not Google's.
Crawl budget management differs.
URL submission is available for individual pages.

Comparison of Bing Search Console and Google Search Console
Feature	Bing Search Console	Google Search Console
Data source	Bing index	Google index
URL submission	Yes, individual URLs	No, only sitemaps
Crawl budget control	Limited	More granular
Verification methods	Meta tag, XML file, DNS	Meta tag, DNS, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager

Common mistakes

Treating Bing Search Console as identical to Google Search Console. You miss Bing-specific crawl and query data that could reveal issues or opportunities.
Not submitting a sitemap. Bing may take longer to discover important pages, slowing indexing.
Checking the tool only once. You may miss new crawl errors or performance drops that develop over time.

Questions

How do I verify my site in Bing Search Console?

You can verify by adding an HTML meta tag to your homepage, uploading an XML file to your server, or adding a DNS TXT record. Choose the method that is easiest for your setup.

Is Bing Search Console free?

Yes, Bing Search Console is completely free. You only need a Microsoft account to sign in.

Does Bing Search Console show the same data as Google Search Console?

No. Bing Search Console shows data from Bing's own index and crawl. Google Search Console shows data from Google's index. The two can differ significantly.

Sources

Microsoft Bing Webmaster Guidelines / Help bing.com
Microsoft Bing Webmaster Tools bing.com
Bing Webmaster Tools Docs bing.com

Outbound links are unpaid and nofollow. If one has gone stale, tell me.

Vera Lindqvist

Vera Lindqvist has worked in SEO since 2014 — first in-house at an ecommerce retailer, then freelance for small teams that could not afford an agency. She writes GrowthPedia in her own time and pays for the hosting herself.

Written and maintained by one person. No ads, no affiliates, nothing for sale. Found an error? Tell me and I will log the correction publicly.