Bing Updates Copilot AI Answer Design

08/20/25
Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Microsoft Updates Bing Search Copilot AI Answer Design

Microsoft has **redesigned Bing Search Copilot’s AI answer layout** by relocating the **sources section** under a new “read more” tab. This change features a **two-column setup** with notably faint font color on the first lines, making content less visible initially. The update is likely a live rollout rather than a test and aims to explore its impact on **publisher click-through rates**.

Optimixed’s Overview: How Microsoft’s Bing Copilot Redesign Could Influence User Engagement and Publisher Traffic

Overview of the New Bing Copilot AI Answer Design

Microsoft has implemented a significant visual update to the Bing Search Copilot AI answers interface. The key changes include:

  • Sources Section Relocation: Previously visible source links are now tucked away under a “read more” expandable tab, reducing their immediate visibility.
  • Two-Column Layout: The AI answer area now adopts a two-column format, potentially to better organize content and related elements.
  • Faint Font Coloring: The first two lines of text use a very faint font color, which may affect readability and user attention.

Potential Implications for Publishers and Users

This design update appears to be an experiment by Microsoft to analyze user interaction behaviors, particularly concerning how often users click through to source publishers. Key considerations include:

  • User Click Behavior: By hiding sources under “read more,” Microsoft may be testing if users engage more deeply or less frequently with external publisher content.
  • Visibility and Accessibility: The faint font color might reduce immediate engagement with the AI answer content, influencing overall user experience.
  • Cross-Browser Consistency: Since the design is reproducible across browsers, it suggests a widespread rollout rather than a limited test.

Conclusion

Microsoft’s updated Bing Search Copilot design reflects a strategic effort to balance AI-generated answers with publisher visibility. Monitoring how these changes affect traffic to publishers will be crucial in understanding the future direction of integrated AI search experiences.