Microsoft quietly updated the Bing search engine with a new feature back in 2016. Simply entering “speedtest” into the search box allowed users to check the speeds of their internet connections. Then a widget would show up, and when it was activated, it would provide information about the upload and download speeds of their existing ISP as well as the latency associated with that connection.
Microsoft no longer offers its own internal internet speed test to Bing users. The popular Speedtest.net service, which is operated by Ookla, is the basis for the speed test widget that was added to the search engine website and was initially noticed by MSPoweruser.
Similar to Microsoft’s own speed test, users of Bing websites can access the Ookla-powered widget by typing in “speedtest” or “speed test”. All that’s left to do is click the “Start” button on the page. At that point, the Ookla speed test will start.
The new Ookla Speedtest.net Bing widget will display your current upload and download speeds as well as your latency, just like the Microsoft widget does. If you’d like a more precise estimate of your ISP speeds, you can take the test again as often as you’d like. If you feel that your speeds are slower than what your ISP is promising, this should be helpful.
In 2006, Ookla launched its Speedtest.net service for the first time. According to the company’s website, users launch over 18 million unique tests every day, and since its launch, it has produced over 51 billion tests globally. Additionally, it runs more than 16,000 servers across the globe to manage all of these tests.
Ookla provides standalone Speedtest apps for Windows, Mac, ChromeOS, iOS, Android, and even Apple TV boxes in addition to the Speedtest.net website. For $4.99 a month, it offers its own VPN service for iOS and Android as well.
