Microsoft hopes to lure Googlers with new Bing design

While Google has been busy adding additional search options to its feature-packed left hand Google Search menu, Microsoft has made the decision to remove unnecessary left hand “distractions” on Bing and is unveiling a new streamlined design for the site.

While Google has been busy adding additional search options to its feature-packed left hand Google Search menu, Microsoft has made the decision to remove unnecessary left hand "distractions" on Bing and is unveiling a new streamlined design for the site.

"Starting today you will notice a fresh, de-cluttered experience designed to help you find the results you want faster," said Bing Principal Group Program Manager Sally Salas in a post on Microsoft's Search Blog. The changes are a result of months of experiments that have tracked the ways in which visitors read and scan through search results."This refreshed design helps you do more with search -- and gives us a canvas for bringing future innovation to you," said Sally Salas.

With less clutter Microsoft is also able to offer faster page-load times and improved relevance.

Bing is also testing additional changes on its homepage including a larger version of the daily image. The updates will start rolling out from today.