Let’s talk about Bing Webmaster Tools (even if no one else is) and how it compares to Google’s version. I say that with all due respect, because, well, Bing has certainly tried. Below are the major features of each:

Google Webmaster Tools has (that Bing doesn’t):

• Ability To Test Robots.Txt
• Remove URL Or Directory From Index
• Set Up A Change Of Address
• Links To Your Site
• Ability To Block Sitelinks

Bing Webmaster Tools has (that Google doesn’t):

• Submit URL To Be Indexed Or Re-Crawled
• Ability To View Average Click Position
• Number Of Pages With Crawl Errors By Day
• Date Page Was Discovered

It’s interesting that even though Google seems to have many more options within its Webmaster Tools, Bing has some really comprehensive data that Google does not. Bing’s crawl data seems to be much more granular in that it will give you the specific date that a page was found by their robots. It’s also interesting that Bing gives people the ability to resubmit a URL to be crawled, but Google only gives people the ability to remove a URL or page from its index. Google Webmaster Tools, however, seems like it has more “configuration” tools and Bing Webmaster Tools seems more of a “diagnostic” tool.

Regardless of which one you prefer, Bing has certainly made headway over the past year or so. Their re-inclusion of presenting inbound links data makes their webmaster tools more robust, but Google’s version still seems to one-up their competitor in that you are given more opportunity to configure different elements of parts of your website for Google’s crawlers.

If you didn’t already notice, Bing is breaking new ground when it has come to online mapping. In 56 metro areas Bing Maps is introducing “Street Side”. This new technology features immersive street-level photography and allows users to “walk down the street” and explore neighborhoods and cities. Unlike other online mapping services Bing “Street Side” is extremely “rich”, bringing online mapping into a new reality. Microsoft is also utilizing its 3D mapping assets, Photosynth and Silverlight in creating this new experience. Here is how the Microsoft press release describes the technology behind the new map experience:

Photosynth and Silverlight are the underlying technologies in Bing Maps that connect everything and help provide the more seamless experience. Based on Seadragon and Photo Tourism concepts, Photosynth lets us literally “stitch” together photographs to provide a more realistic view of locations as they appear in real life. Photosynth-enabled Streetside imagery is built on geometric models that are reconstructed underneath the imagery to provide a truly 3D experience that shows locations as they are in real life.

The one “catch” is that you need to install Microsoft Silverlight to make it all work. (It only takes a few seconds to download) But once installed at the Bing Maps beta site you are now enabled into a wide range of experiences including search and discovery tools such as planning and sharing multistep itineraries, navigating streets at eye level and experience beautiful photographic scenes.

Additionally this new “apps gallery“ enables data overlays directly onto the map. Currently all of the apps are Microsoft created but in the near future third parties will be able to integrate such as Yelp reviews and Twitter postings, along with a mobile device version.