Bing’s New 'Recommended By' Feature: What Local Businesses Need to Know

What Happened

Microsoft Bing has begun testing a new section in its product search results titled "Recommended By". When users look up a product, a row of brand logos appears next to the product thumbnail, signaling that the item has been endorsed by a recognizable retailer or brand. The visual cue is meant to convey trust at a glance.

The odd twist is that clicking the thumbnail still takes shoppers to the retailer’s product page, not to the site that issued the recommendation. In other words, the endorsement functions as a brand association rather than a direct link to the recommender’s content.

The experiment currently covers only a handful of product categories and is limited to select U.S. cities. Microsoft is monitoring user interaction and traffic patterns to decide whether to expand the feature.

Key Details

• Where it shows up – The "Recommended By" banner appears exclusively in Bing’s product search results; it does not appear in standard web searches.
• Who is featured – Logos belong to major retailers and brands such as Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, as well as niche specialty stores. Bing’s ranking algorithm curates the list.
• Link behavior – Clicking a thumbnail redirects to the retailer’s product page, not to the recommending brand’s site.
• User intent – By highlighting trusted endorsements, the section aims to boost shopper confidence and potentially sway purchase decisions.
• Testing scope – The feature is live in a limited set of U.S. cities and product categories, with broader rollout contingent on positive engagement metrics.

What It Means For Your Business

For local and small businesses, the "Recommended By" section opens a fresh channel for visibility and credibility:

• Boost discoverability in AI‑powered search – AI assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity often pull data from Bing. If your products appear in the recommended section, they’re more likely to surface in AI‑generated answers, increasing the odds of being cited.
• Credibility through association – Even though the link points to a retailer, the presence of a reputable brand’s logo next to your product signals trustworthiness and can influence consumers who rely on brand signals.
• Drive targeted traffic – Retailer links still funnel shoppers to your product pages. Optimizing those listings lets you capture traffic that’s already primed to buy.
• Citation opportunities – AI tools frequently reference the source of a recommendation. When Bing tags your product as "recommended by" a well‑known retailer, that endorsement may appear in AI citations, strengthening your citation profile.

How to Get Featured

1. Optimize product listings on major retailers – Make sure titles, descriptions, and images meet each retailer’s guidelines. High‑quality listings are more likely to be flagged for recommendation.

2. Encourage positive reviews – Retailers weigh customer sentiment when deciding which products to promote. Aim for a 4‑star rating or higher.

3. Leverage brand partnerships – If you work with larger brands or suppliers, ask them to endorse your products. A formal partnership can increase the chance of earning a "Recommended By" label.

4. Track performance – Use Bing’s Webmaster Tools and retailer analytics to monitor clicks from the recommended section and adjust your strategy based on conversion data.

5. Stay updated on Bing’s guidelines – Microsoft may refine the recommendation criteria. Keep an eye on developer and search‑engine updates to remain compliant.

By following these steps, local businesses can turn an emerging Bing feature into a powerful tool for increased visibility, higher traffic, and stronger AI citations.

FAQs

• How do I know if my product is in the "Recommended By" section?

Monitor your product listings on major retailers and periodically check Bing’s search results for your key terms. Bing’s Webmaster Tools may also surface insights about recommendation status.

• Will the recommendation link to my own website?

At present, thumbnails direct shoppers to retailer pages. Microsoft could change this in future iterations, but the current focus remains on driving retailer traffic.

• Does this affect my SEO ranking?

Greater visibility in Bing can improve click‑through rates, which may indirectly boost your overall search rankings across engines.