Why did Bing start blocking Neocities websites?

Microsoft stated that some Neocities sites were delisted for violating policies designed to keep low-quality sites out of search results, though specific details remain unclear.

What actions has Neocities taken regarding the Bing blocks?

Neocities founder Kyle Drake has submitted numerous support tickets, attempted to engage Microsoft through multiple channels, and recommended a boycott of Bing until the issue is resolved.

Home / Technology / Bing Blocks Indie Web Haven: Millions of Sites Vanish

Bing Blocks Indie Web Haven: Millions of Sites Vanish

Q: How has Bing's blocking affected Neocities?

Bing's blocking caused Neocities' traffic from Bing to drop from approximately 500,000 daily visitors to zero, impacting the visibility of 1.5 million independent websites.

6 Feb

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Summary

Bing inexplicably blocked 1.5 million independent Neocities websites.
Founder Kyle Drake reported traffic dropped from 500k daily visitors to zero.
Microsoft partially resolved blocks but many sites remain inaccessible.

Bing Blocks Indie Web Haven: Millions of Sites Vanish

Bing has inexplicably blocked roughly 1.5 million independent websites hosted on Neocities, a platform preserving the spirit of the 1990s internet. Founded in 2013, Neocities allows users to create personalized websites without standardized templates, fostering creativity for art, fandoms, and niche expertise.

Kyle Drake, Neocities' founder, discovered the complete block in January after initial issues last summer. He noted a dramatic drop in Bing traffic from approximately 500,000 daily visitors to zero. Drake expressed concern about potential phishing attacks targeting users through fake front-page copies on Bing's search results.

Despite submitting numerous support tickets and attempting to engage Microsoft through various channels, Drake faced significant challenges in resolving the issue. He highlighted the frustration of dealing with automated chatbots and the difficulty of reaching human support. Although Bing holds a small percentage of the global search market, its data is licensed by other search engines, amplifying the impact.