Comparison

Google Search Console vs Bing Webmaster Tools

Compare Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools for SEO monitoring. Learn the differences and why you should use both for complete search visibility.

Google Search Console

Every website - essential for understanding Google search performance

5 pros4 cons

Bing Webmaster Tools

Supplementing GSC with backlink data and reaching Bing/Yahoo audience

5 pros4 cons

Detailed Comparison

Google Search Console Pros

  • Data from dominant search engine (~92% market share)
  • Core Web Vitals integration
  • Mobile usability reports
  • Rich results status
  • Essential for any website

Bing Webmaster Tools Pros

  • Import GSC data easily
  • Free backlink data
  • Keyword research tool included
  • SEO reports and suggestions
  • Access to Bing + Yahoo traffic

Google Search Console Cons

  • 16-month data retention only
  • Limited keyword data (top 1000)
  • No keyword suggestions
  • Some data delays (2-3 days)

Bing Webmaster Tools Cons

  • Much smaller search market share
  • Less traffic data for most sites
  • Fewer integration options
  • Some features lag behind GSC

Our Verdict

Use both! Google Search Console is mandatory for any website due to Google's market dominance. Bing Webmaster Tools is an excellent free supplement offering backlink data, keyword research, and access to Bing/Yahoo search traffic. Setup takes minutes and provides additional insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Technically you only 'need' Google Search Console, but Bing Webmaster Tools is free, takes minutes to set up (you can import GSC settings), and provides unique insights including free backlink data and keyword research. There's no reason not to use both.
Yes! Bing Webmaster Tools allows you to import sites and settings from Google Search Console, making setup extremely quick. You can verify ownership through GSC connection and have your sitemaps automatically imported.
Bing's backlink data is surprisingly comprehensive and completely free - a feature that GSC doesn't offer. While dedicated tools like Ahrefs have larger databases, Bing's backlink data is valuable for free competitive analysis and link auditing.
Check Google Search Console weekly for indexing issues and monthly for performance trends. Bing Webmaster Tools can be checked monthly unless you're actively optimizing for Bing. Set up email alerts in both for critical issues.

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