Enter 'Bing-tannica': Microsoft partners with Encyclopedia Britannica

Barely three months after it shuttered its print edition, Encyclopedia Britannica has partnered with Microsoft to enhance its online edition with the latter's Bing search engine.

 

"The answer provides a quick overview of the subject, a thumbnail image, and useful facts and figures making it easier than ever to get trusted content in search. We also pull in direct links to other trusted sources," Franco Salvetti, principal development lead for Bing, said in a blog post.

 

Salvetti said the partnership would involve Britannica Online answers showing up directly in the Bing results page.

 

Only last March, Britannica reached a historic milestone of sorts when it announced it is killing its 244-year-old print edition and continue in online format.

 

For 244 years — since 1768 — Encyclopaedia Britannica had stood on the shelves of homes, libraries, and businesses everywhere, "a source of enlightenment as well as comfort to their owners and users around the world."

 

On the otheer hand, Salvetti said Bing's core focus is to deliver "relevant information in a more organized way to help you find what you need more quickly and get stuff done."

 

"An example of this approach has been seen in our answers feature - a snippet of information designed to give you a quick look at what you’re searching for while also giving you the option to dig deeper into the results," he said.

 

He said Microsoft is "very excited" to collaborate with Encyclopedia Britannica as it continues to strengthen its online presence. — TJD, GMA News