Bing Webmaster Tools Launches AI Performance Report
▼ Summary
– Microsoft is testing a new, unannounced “AI Performance” report in Bing Webmaster Tools to show how often websites are cited by Copilot and partners.
– The report provides data on the number of daily citations and the specific pages cited, but it does not include click-through data from those citations.
– It organizes data by “grounding queries,” which are Bing’s interpretations of user queries, and categorizes the intent behind those queries.
– The tool is currently in a very limited beta, and Microsoft has not provided a timeline for broader access to this report.
– Publishers and site owners desire click data to compare AI and web search performance, feeling search engines are withholding this information.
Microsoft is reportedly testing a new AI Performance report within Bing Webmaster Tools, offering website owners a clearer view of how their content performs within AI-driven search experiences like Copilot. This development follows earlier promises to provide separate data for AI results, which were initially combined with traditional web query metrics, limiting actionable insights for publishers and SEO professionals.
The report, currently in a very limited beta phase and not officially announced by Microsoft, focuses on citation data. It displays the number of times Copilot and its partners cite a website, along with the specific pages referenced, tracked on a daily basis. This allows webmasters to understand their visibility and authority within Bing’s AI ecosystem, providing a new layer of performance measurement beyond standard organic search rankings.
A key feature of the report is the breakdown of data by “grounding queries” and pages. The term “grounding queries” likely refers to how Bing interprets a user’s original search prompt within Copilot, rather than displaying the exact query typed. The report also categorizes the search intent behind these queries, such as navigational, informational, or other types, giving creators insight into why their content was selected for a citation.
However, a significant limitation is the absence of click-through data. The report shows how often a site is cited but does not reveal how many users actually clicked from the AI-generated answer to visit the website. For many in the digital marketing space, this missing metric is crucial for evaluating the true traffic value and engagement driven by AI search features.
The integration of this report appears within the Search Performance section of Bing Webmaster Tools under the label “AI Performance.” While its full public release date remains unknown, its testing signals a move toward greater transparency. The ability to see which specific pages are being cited by Copilot can help webmasters refine their content strategy to better align with how AI systems retrieve and present information.
The introduction of this dedicated reporting is a positive step, yet the lack of click data continues to be a point of contention. Understanding the click-through rate from AI experiences compared to traditional web search is a top priority for publishers and site owners. Many feel that search engines are not fully disclosing this data, making it challenging to assess the real-world impact and monetization potential of appearing in AI-generated answers. As these tools evolve, providing comprehensive performance analytics will be essential for the webmaster community to adapt and thrive in an increasingly AI-influenced search landscape.
(Source: Search Engine Land)
