Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me: “I Search Google. So Does Bing”

Stephen Colbert & Jimmy Fallon weren’t the only ones having fun with Google’s accusations that Bing was copying Google’s search results. NPR’s “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me” quiz show did a funny send up, as well.

The show, which aired on February 5, had host Peter Sagal stumping panelist Roxanne Roberts, at first, with a question about the news:

Sagal: It’s tough to break through the monopoly on search that Google has, but Bing has done it. How, does it turn out, does Bing find things on the internet?

Roberts: I never use Bing. This is a problem. I know it’s shorter.

Sagal: Well, it makes sense because, well, what do you do when you want to find something on the internet?

Roberts: I search Google.

Sagal: So does Bing.

The audience is then heard erupting into laughter. Sagal goes on to explain the story, ending with this zinger:

Once caught, Bing did not deny it, but they said stealing Google’s searches is only one of their many proprietary search methods. They also steal Yahoo’s searches, and in a real pinch, they ask Jeeves.

You can hear the audio of the full segment here (choose “Panel Round Two”) on the show’s web site. Also see these related stories from us:

• Google: Bing Is Cheating, Copying Our Search Results
• Bing: Why Google’s Wrong In Its Accusations
• Colbert: “Hiybbprqag Is A Word Meaning You Got Served”

About The Author

Danny Sullivan

Danny Sullivan was a journalist and analyst who covered the digital and search marketing space from 1996 through 2017. He was also a cofounder of Third Door Media, which publishes Search Engine Land, Marketing Land, MarTech Today and produces the SMX: Search Marketing Expo and MarTech events. He retired from journalism and Third Door Media in June 2017. You can learn more about him on his personal site & blog He can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.