Bing is pulling out all the stops with Copilot Search, the new name for “Bing Generative Search.” A search engine powered by generative AI, available worldwide.
Key points:
- Copilot Search is available, accessible without a VPN directly on Bing.
- The responses generated are clear, sourced and contextualized, with easy access to original content.
- Bing combines classic engine and generative AI to deliver intelligent summaries based on query.
- The system promotes smoother navigation, with contextual suggestions and integrated search tracking.
- The sites remain visible, but the risk of “zero clicks” cannot be ruled out for certain types of content.
When searching becomes a chore…
Are you also tired of spending more time searching than finding? We all know that moment of uncertainty: ten tabs open, a lukewarm coffee, and still no clear answer. This is precisely where Copilot Search aims to hit the mark.
With this new system, Bing is banking on an engine that intelligently summarizes the results of a query. Basically, you type in a question and the tool serves you a digestible summary, enriched with clear and easy-to-verify sources. It’s obviously reminiscent of ChatGPT or Perplexity… except that here, we’re staying in the world of classic search engines, like Google’s AI Overviews.
Copilot Search is now available in France
We told you about it on Friday morning, and it’s now confirmed: Copilot Search is now fully deployed. No VPN or fancy settings are required—a simple visit to Bing is all it takes to access it.
On both desktop and mobile, the interface directly displays Copilot responses with traditional results. If you don’t see anything displayed, try using well-formulated queries in natural language—this often triggers the AI module.
This is a good sign: France is part of the global rollout. So, for once, we’re avoiding the “US-only deployment” syndrome. And that’s worth noting. However, Russia and China are not affected by this launch.
An engine that understands better (or almost)
What’s changing? It’s the way the information is presented. Copilot Search crosses two worlds: the good old blue link engine and AI that synthesizes, sorts, and prioritizes.
You search for “best houseplants for low light.” Rather than landing on a forum page from the 2000s or a blog that’s too sponsored to be honest, Bing will offer you a short, sourced answer, with direct links to the cited content. It’s convenient. And it avoids those web black holes where you get lost for 30 minutes without realizing it.
Towards a new way of sailing?
Perhaps the most surprising thing about Copilot Search is this little touch of serendipity. Bing offers related topics in the form of clickable bubbles, allowing you to continue your search without starting from scratch. And that’s pretty clever.
Here are some concrete effects:
- Save time: no need to open ten websites to synthesize the information yourself.
- Stay on track: The interface maintains the context of the search. Perfect when digging deeper into a topic.
- Access quality content: publishers and content creators are always visible, cited and highlighted.
Will this change our habits? It could, if you use Bing every day. But it all depends on the execution. The UX will have to remain fluid and intuitive… and the AI will have to avoid getting too carried away.
And for SEO, what do we do?
The question that annoys. Because an engine that provides answers without clicks also means traffic that can evaporate. Microsoft promises that publishers will benefit: cited sources, clickable links, and better visibility in excerpts.
But let’s be clear: the risk of “zero clicks” does exist. And it’s important to monitor this closely, especially for informative, comparative, or encyclopedic content.
That said, if you produce original, well-structured, up-to-date content that is readable by generative AI, you have every chance of remaining visible.
Should we get started right away?
No need to overhaul everything. But it’s worth taking a look, if only to understand how AI is redefining our relationship with research.
Copilot Search isn’t going to replace Google tomorrow morning, that’s for sure. But it does raise a real question: what do we expect from a search engine today? A simple list of links? Or a structured, reliable, and enriched answer?
