Bing search operators do not function properly, or work in ways that are unexpected, and sometimes outright conflict with their intended use.

Question

This is pretty self-explanatory, but some of Bing's search operators, specifically using the - to remove certain terms from search (as this operator was intended - see the instructions here for explanation of the "-" operator).

I f the operator "-" doesn't RELIABLY and PREDICTABLEY work in practice, and is so easily broken that it's essentially non-functional, or does the opposite of what it is intended to do, why is it even included or suggested for Bing search?

To replicate this strange behavior, simply search for something in Bing, and use the "-" operator to omit a term from the search (not this applies to most Bing operators, I'm just singling out "-" because it's reliably broken). One of a few things will probably happen:

1. You will get the term included in the search results anyway, even though you used "-" as suggested.
2. You will get search results with the term prioritized over other results.
3. If you're extremely lucky, it might work for a minority of searches, though this is extremely rare.

Example screenshot:

I want to use Bing search, I really do, but I have to use Google instead of Bing search because Google's search operators work as expected every time, all the time, reliably.

Answer 1

This is pretty self-explanatory, but some of Bing's search operators, specifically using the - to remove certain terms from search (as this operator was intended - see the instructions here forexplanationof the "-" operator).

I f the operator - doesn't RELIABLY and PREDICTABLEY work in practice, and is so easily broken that it's essentially non-functional, or does the opposite of what it is intended to do, why is it even included or suggested for Bing search?

To replicate this strange behavior, simply search for something in Bing, and use the "-" operator to omit a term from the search (not this applies to most Bing operators, I'm just singling out "-" because it's reliably broken). One of a few things will probably happen:

1. You will get the term included in the search results anyway, even though you used "-" as suggested.
2. You will get search results with the term prioritized over other results.
3. If you're extremely lucky, it might work for a minority of searches, though this is extremely rare.

Example screenshot:

I want to use Bing search, I really do, but I have to use Google instead of Bing search because Google's search operators work as expected every time, all the time, reliably.

Well, in my opinion, I think It's crucial for search engines to ensure the reliability of their features for effective user experience

Answer 2

Having the same problem here.

I'm trying to find something obscure with the word "Voyager" in the title, and trying to exclude Star Trek: Voyager. However, nothing has worked. Using a minus sign with the phrase in quotes, using the operator NOT, and also putting the exclusionary phrase in parentheses (as suggested by a reply to another post), have no effect.

-"Star Trek"

NOT Star NOT Trek

(NOT Star) (NOT Trek)

All produce results with Star Trek.

Answer 3

Do not see this getting better. Seems all resources are being used to shove"AI"

down our portals. At least you have time now between clicks to go find your answer on google.

Answer 4

That's my thought as well. Between layoffs and heavy promotion of "AI", it seems other Microsoft products are getting short shrift.

Answer 5

Correct. This still hasn't been resolved, and we're in 2024. I just tested it again and it still does not work.