I'm puzzled how Bing is getting involved. Instead of opening the linked address, Firefox is generating a search request to Bing?

One possible culprit for any kind of hijacking would be an extension. You can view, disable, and often remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

• Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
• "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
• type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return

In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions. On the right side, find the "Manage Your Extensions" heading.

If there is at least one extension before the next heading -- "Recommended Extensions" -- please continue:

Then cast a critical eye over the list below that heading. Any extensions Firefox installs for built-in features are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything suspicious or that you just do not remember installing or why? If in doubt, disable (or remove). For your privacy and security, don't let mystery programs linger here.

Any improvement?

Thanks for suggestions. No add ons or extensions but I tried some more links and there was no problem. So I went back and found the exact link that caused my question. It appears the link is a web search (it was the name of someone-I thought it would be his website- but it was a bing search. So is the link itself a bing search link, if that's even a thing? Thanks.

Sure, every search results page has a URL, and that URL can be copied from the address bar and used in a link. Sometimes we put search results links in replies here for one reason or another. But it's odd that the page you were on wasn't transparent about where the link would take you. Anyway, sounds like there's no problem and you're good to go.

Thanks, I think you're right, no problem. Don't know why I never noticed a link to a search. Anyway, thanks again.