Microsoft is officially shutting down Bing Search APIs for third-party developers starting August 11, 2025. If you're wondering, what happens to Bing Search APIs? or how can developers access Bing search data now?, this update is crucial. Microsoft has confirmed it will fully retire the Bing Search API service, meaning developers who relied on Bing search results to power their apps or services must find alternatives before the cutoff date. This significant move reflects Microsoft’s shift towards AI-driven solutions, urging developers to adopt its Azure AI Agents platform as the next-generation tool to integrate web data seamlessly.

The retirement of Bing Search APIs will directly affect third-party applications and rival search engines that leveraged Microsoft’s search data. Smaller developers will lose access entirely, while a few major customers—like DuckDuckGo, which uses Bing’s data—will maintain continued API access. Microsoft recommends transitioning to Azure AI Agents, a solution that combines Bing search grounding with AI chatbots, enabling smarter, conversational interactions with live web content. This pivot aligns with the growing industry trend where AI-powered tools and conversational agents increasingly dominate search and data integration.

This API shutdown follows Microsoft’s gradual price hikes for Bing Search API usage and comes just ahead of the Build 2025 developer conference, signaling a strategic shift toward integrated AI services. It also coincides with major industry movements, including recent regulatory scrutiny on Google’s advertising technologies. For app developers and tech companies relying on Bing’s search API, now is the time to explore AI-enhanced alternatives that promise more dynamic and interactive user experiences.

If your project depends on Bing Search APIs, consider upgrading to Azure AI Agents to avoid disruption. Microsoft’s AI-powered approach offers richer data access and real-time interaction capabilities, helping developers build smarter applications. This transition marks a critical moment for anyone building third-party apps powered by search data, highlighting how AI-driven APIs are becoming the future standard in the tech ecosystem.