Bing Item Tracker is a free feature in the Bing search engine that lets you track prices and availability for products you search for, sending you email alerts when the price drops or the item comes back in stock. It works by adding a tracking tag to eligible product listings you find through Bing Shopping, and it is built directly into the search results page.
Background: Why Bing Added a Price Tracker
Online shoppers often check a product page, decide to wait for a sale, and then forget to check back. Bing introduced its item tracker to keep users inside its search ecosystem rather than losing them to price-comparison apps or retailer newsletters. The feature is part of Bing’s broader push to make search results more actionable, similar to how Google has offered price tracking for some shopping results. Microsoft rolled this out gradually, and it is available in the United States and several other markets, though not for every product or every retailer.
How the Bing Item Tracker Works
The tracker is not a separate app or website; it is a toggle that appears on eligible product listings in Bing search results. When you search for a product like “wireless mouse” or “coffee maker,” Bing shows a grid of shopping results from various retailers. On some of those listings, you will see a small bell icon or a “Track price” link. Clicking it adds that product to your personal tracking list. Bing then monitors the price and stock status for you. If the price drops or the item becomes available again, you get an email alert. You can manage your tracked items by visiting the “Tracked items” section in your Bing account settings.
How to Use the Bing Item Tracker
Using the tracker requires a Microsoft account and an email address you can check regularly. Here is the basic process:
- Sign in to Bing with your Microsoft account (Outlook, Hotmail, Xbox, or any Microsoft-linked email).
- Search for a product using Bing Shopping or a regular search that shows shopping results.
- Look for the bell icon or “Track price” button on a product listing. Not every listing has it.
- Click the button once. Bing will confirm that the item is now tracked.
- Go to Bing.com and click the “Tracked items” link (often under the shopping menu) to see all your tracked products.
- Wait for email alerts. Bing will notify you when the price changes or the item is back in stock.
You can stop tracking at any time by removing the item from your tracked list. There is no limit mentioned by Microsoft, but very large lists may become unwieldy.
Common Problems and Limitations
The tracker is not perfect, and users often run into a few issues. First, not all products are eligible. If a retailer does not share price data with Bing, the tracker will not appear. Second, the tracker only checks the price on Bing Shopping, which may not reflect flash sales or coupon codes. Third, email alerts can be delayed by a few hours, so you might miss a very short sale. Fourth, the tracker does not work for services, digital goods, or items sold by third-party marketplace sellers in some cases. Finally, if you clear your browser cookies or use a different device, your tracked items are still tied to your Microsoft account, so they will appear once you sign in again.
Bing Item Tracker vs. Other Price Trackers
Bing’s tracker competes with browser extensions like Honey and CamelCamelCamel, which track Amazon prices specifically. The key difference is that Bing tracks products from many retailers at once, but only those that appear in Bing Shopping. CamelCamelCamel gives historical price charts and alerts for Amazon only. Honey offers a similar multi-retailer tracking feature but requires a browser extension. Bing’s advantage is that you do not need to install anything; the disadvantage is that you get less detail, such as no price history graph. If you are an Amazon-only shopper, a dedicated Amazon tracker is usually better. If you shop across multiple stores, Bing’s tracker is convenient because it is already in your search results.
Costs and Account Requirements
Bing Item Tracker is completely free. There is no subscription, no hidden fee, and no premium tier. You only need a free Microsoft account. Microsoft does not charge for the alerts, and there is no limit on the number of items you can track, though very large lists may be harder to manage. The tracker is supported by advertising, as Bing shows ads alongside your search results, but the tracking feature itself has no direct cost to you.
Safety and Privacy Considerations
Because the tracker is tied to your Microsoft account, Microsoft collects data about the products you track. This data is used to improve the service and may be used for targeted advertising. If you are concerned about privacy, you can review and delete your tracking history in your Microsoft account privacy dashboard. The tracker does not share your email address with retailers, and you will not receive marketing emails from retailers because of tracking. However, Microsoft may send you promotional emails separately. To stay safe, only track items from reputable retailers that appear in Bing Shopping, and be wary of phishing emails that claim to be price alerts but come from unknown senders. Always check the sender address before clicking links in a price alert email.
Alternatives to Bing Item Tracker
If Bing’s tracker does not cover the products you want, there are other free options. CamelCamelCamel is the most popular for Amazon price history and alerts. Keepa offers a browser extension with detailed price charts. Honey (owned by PayPal) has a “Droplist” feature that tracks prices across many stores. For general price tracking, you can also use Google Shopping’s price tracking, which is available in some regions. Each service has different coverage, so you may want to try more than one. The main takeaway is that Bing’s tracker is a convenient, no-install option, but it is not the only one.
Template: Price Tracking Log
Use this simple log to keep track of items you are watching, especially if you use multiple trackers or want a paper backup.
| Date Added | Item Name | Retailer | Original Price | Target Price | Current Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sample (fictional): 2025-04-01, “Stainless Steel Water Bottle 32oz”, “Example Store”, $25.00, $20.00, $22.50, “Tracking”
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bing Item Tracker work for any product?
No, it only works for products that appear in Bing Shopping with a trackable price. If you do not see a bell icon, the product is not eligible. You can try searching for a different retailer or using a different product page.
How often does Bing check prices?
Bing does not publish a specific frequency. In practice, prices are checked several times a day, but not in real time. Flash sales that last only a few minutes may be missed.
Can I track an item without a Microsoft account?
No, you must be signed in to a Microsoft account to use the tracker. This is because the tracker stores your list in the cloud so you can access it from any device.
Will I get spam emails if I use the tracker?
You will only receive email alerts about the items you track, plus occasional Microsoft promotional emails if you have not opted out. Retailers do not get your email address through the tracker.
Can I track items on the Bing mobile app?
Yes, the Bing mobile app supports item tracking. You can add items and receive alerts just like on the desktop site. The “Tracked items” page is accessible from the app’s menu.