💡 Our Technical Review in summary
Summary
- Microsoft has retired the legacy Search & Intelligence Feedback portal and consolidated all Microsoft Search feedback into the standard Microsoft 365 Product feedback experience.
- This change is intended to simplify the feedback collection process, align Search with other Microsoft 365 services, and ensure better policy compliance via the Cloud Policy Service.
- The retirement of the legacy portal is already complete and fully in effect across all Microsoft 365 tenants.
Impact
- User Experience: There is no change to core Microsoft Search functionality. However, the feedback submission workflow is now simplified. Users will no longer see detailed feedback categories; instead, they will use a standard thumbs-up or thumbs-down interaction to provide product-level feedback.
- Admin Experience: Admins can no longer use the legacy portal. Search-specific feedback is now centralized within the Microsoft 365 admin center (MAC) under the Product feedback section.
- Reporting & Filtering: Admins must now use filters (Product = Search) within the MAC to isolate search-related insights.
- Policy Management: Feedback management is now governed by the Cloud Policy Service for Microsoft 365, providing more consistent policy enforcement across the organization.
Action Required
- Update Documentation: Review and update internal IT helpdesk manuals, user guides, or intranet pages that reference the retired Search & Intelligence feedback portal.
- Inform Stakeholders: Notify IT administrators and support teams who monitor user sentiment that Microsoft Search feedback has migrated to the “Product feedback” node in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
- Review Policies: Use the Microsoft Cloud Policy Service to verify that your organization’s feedback collection settings are configured according to your compliance requirements.
- Reference Documentation: Consult the Microsoft Learn guide on “Managing user feedback” to familiarize yourself with the consolidated feedback interface and reporting capabilities.
Microsoft Official Update
Service: N/A
Category: planForChange
Severity: normal
[Introduction]
We have retired the legacy Search & Intelligence Feedback portal and consolidated all Microsoft Search feedback into the standard Product feedback experience in Microsoft 365. This change simplifies how feedback is collected, aligns Search feedback with other Microsoft 365 products, and improves policy compliance across services.
[When this will happen]
We apologize that this retirement was not communicated in advance, and we are continuing to improve our processes to provide more proactive communication.
This retirement has already been completed and is now fully in effect.
[How this affects your organization]
Who is affected
- All Microsoft 365 tenants that use Microsoft Search
- Users who submit Microsoft Search feedback
- Admins who review or analyze feedback
What will happen
- Users:
- There was no change to Microsoft Search functionality.
- The feedback workflow was simplified.
- Previously, users selected from multiple detailed feedback categories.
- Users now submit feedback using a thumbs up or thumbs down interaction that collects product level feedback only.
- Admins:
- Search feedback now appears in the Microsoft 365 admin center (MAC) under Product feedback with filtering available using Product = Search.
- Feedback management now aligns with the Cloud Policy Service for Microsoft 365, which improves consistency and policy enforcement.
- No admin action was required. The change applied automatically.
[What you can do to prepare]
You may want to:
- Update internal documentation or helpdesk materials that reference the retired Search & Intelligence feedback portal.
- Inform admins who monitor feedback that Search feedback now appears under Product feedback in the Microsoft 365 admin center (MAC).
- Review the Microsoft Learn documentation: Managing user feedback | Get insights | Microsoft Learn
[Compliance considerations]
No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.
