# Bing Maps

## URL

<https://www.bing.com/maps/>

## Description

Bing Maps is a web mapping service provided by Microsoft. It offers users access to detailed maps and driving directions, the tool serves various purposes, from helping users navigate from point A to B efficiently, to planning trips, and conducting geographical research.

The imagery includes samples taken by satellite sensors, aerial cameras, 3D city models and terrain.

**Features:**

* Supports multiple languages.
* Photo-based images with features such as Streetside and 45 degree oblique "bird’s eye" views (nominally including 4 views at 90 degree viewpoint increments) that present data in context while simplifying orientation and navigation.
* The ability to overlay standard or custom data points and layers with different themes.
* Building-level geocoding for more than 70 million addresses in the United States.
* Developer support options available.
* Set of APIs available upon which developers can build applications.

Bing Maps is available in the following formats:

* Web
* Mobile
* Developer API

Example search results for the term *Amsterdam:*

<figure><img src="https://1607018381-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFuL0vtRVpXHiKZgFkMFR%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-706f8399cd0afd74bd70bf46ed10cd7b15be5e14%2FScreenshot%202024-04-23%20at%209.37.31%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>Screenshot of search results for Amsterdam.</p></figcaption></figure>

## Use Cases

Bing Maps can be a valuable tool for open source researchers in various ways, such as:

* **Geolocation Verification:** Verifying the location of a photo or video shared on social media to confirm the authenticity of claims made online.
* **Investigative Reporting:** Tracking and mapping out relevant locations to a story, thereby providing readers with a clearer understanding of the spatial relationships and geographical details of the investigation. One issue to remember is that Bing map imagery may not be up to date see [How often are Bing satellite Maps updated?](https://www.studycountry.com/wiki/how-often-are-bing-satellite-maps-updated) for more information.
* **Historical Analysis:** Comparing current maps with historical data to highlight changes over time in areas of interest, which can add depth to stories on urban development, environmental changes, or socio-economic shift.
* **Infrastructure Analysis:** Analyzing satellite images and 3D maps of critical infrastructure for changes or developments that might indicate political, military, or economic events.
* **Environmental Monitoring:** Monitoring changes in landscapes, forest cover, water bodies, etc., to report on environmental issues or natural disasters.
* **Gathering Geopolitical Intelligence:** Mapping conflict zones, territorial control changes, or military movements using updated satellite imagery to understand geopolitical dynamics.

## Cost

* [ ] Free
* [x] Partially Free
* [ ] Paid

Developer API may incur costs depending on usage (see: [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/maps/bing-maps/licensing](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/api-management/))..

## Level of difficulty

<table><thead><tr><th data-type="rating" data-max="5"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Requirements

* **Web:** any modern web browser
* **Mobile**: iOS and Android
* **Developer Platform:** Azure account with email address and a credit card.

## Limitations

* **Licensing and Cost**: Bing Maps API incurs costs for extensive usage beyond the provided free usage quotas, which might not be suitable for projects with limited budgets (see: [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/maps/bing-maps/licensing](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/api-management/)).
* **Data Coverage**: While comprehensive, Bing Maps has less detailed mapping data in certain remote or less-populated regions compared to other services such as Google Maps.
* **Developer API Limits**: There are daily rate limits on API calls, which may impact large-scale applications or services requiring high numbers of requests (see: <https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/maps/bing-maps/product/>).
* **Update Frequency**: The frequency of map updates for certain areas may not be as regular as some users require, potentially affecting the accuracy of the maps. See [How often are Bing satellite Maps ?](https://www.studycountry.com/wiki/how-often-are-bing-satellite-maps-updated) for more information.
* **Feature Set**: Although Bing Maps offers a wide range of functionalities, it lacks features found in other mapping services, such as the more advanced analytical tools and detailed terrain information found in Google Earth Pro.
* **Bird Eye and Streetside View:** As of January 2026, Bing Maps Bird’s Eye View and Streetside View are no longer available.

## Ethical Considerations

When open source researchers use Bing Maps, they should consider the following ethical aspects:

* **Privacy and Anonymity**: Be cautious when reporting on sensitive areas or topics. Ensure individuals' locations or movements are not disclosed without consent, especially in contexts where revealing locations could endanger lives or privacy.
* **Data Accuracy and Misrepresentation**: Verify the accuracy of the information provided by Bing Maps. Misrepresenting a location, either intentionally or accidentally due to outdated or incorrect map data, can lead to misinformation and harm reputations. For more information see [Google Earth, Google satellite, and Bing aerial accuracy](https://gis.stackexchange.com/questions/86734/google-earth-google-satellite-and-bing-aerial-accuracy).
* **Impartiality and Bias**: Understand the limitations of Bing Maps in representing disputed territories or areas of conflict. Be aware of how the depiction of these areas might convey a particular political stance or bias, affecting the impartiality of the reportage. Examples of this can be seen in [border bias](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/02/14/google-maps-political-borders/) and [local 'safety' bias](https://www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/tech-regulation/emerging-technologies/2022/08/mapping-navigational-apps-gis-safety-bias-google-maps).

## Guide

To effectively use Bing Maps, especially for beginners or those looking to refine their skills, the following resources are highly recommended:

**Official Wiki**

* **No official wiki** (but the Bing Maps Blog is available here: <https://blogs.bing.com/maps/>)
* **Unofficial GIS Wiki:** <http://wiki.gis.com/wiki/index.php/Bing_Maps>

**Tutorials and Articles**

* Hanham, M. (2015) *There’s a Map for That*, *bellingcat*. Available at: <https://www.bellingcat.com/resources/how-tos/2015/04/10/theres-a-map-for-that/> (Accessed: 10 April 2024).
* Khachatryan, N. (2019) *The Mysterious Disappearance of Jeannette Island (on Google Maps)*, *bellingcat*. Available at: <https://www.bellingcat.com/news/rest-of-world/2019/01/09/the-mysterious-disappearance-of-jeannette-island-on-google-maps/> (Accessed: 10 April 2024).

**Video Tutorials**

* *How to Create and Share Collections in Bing Maps* (2022). Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8Xk5nqImAM> (Accessed: 10 April 2024).
* *How to use Bing Maps for Routing Multiple Addresses* (2021). Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btCzoDX9WmI> (Accessed: 10 April 2024).

#### Developer Resources

* **Getting Started:** Familiarize yourself with Bing Maps by exploring the official [Bing Maps documentation](https://www.microsoft.com/maps/).
* **Developing with Bing Maps:** Discover how to integrate Bing Maps into your applications with [developer resources](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/bingmaps/).

**Community and Support**

* **Community Forum:** <https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/bing/forum/bing_maps>

## Tool provider

Microsoft <https://www.microsoft.com> - United States

## Advertising Trackers

* [x] This tool has not been checked for advertising trackers yet.
* [ ] This tool uses tracking cookies. Use with caution.
* [ ] This tool does not appear to use tracking cookies.

| Page maintainer    |
| ------------------ |
| Riccardo Giannardi |
|                    |