💡 Our Technical Review in summary
Summary
Microsoft is retiring the “Web Search (Bing)” image pivot within the SharePoint page image picker. This functionality, which allowed authors to search for and insert web images directly via Bing, is being removed because the underlying Bing Search API is being retired. The rollout is scheduled to begin in early March 2026 and reach completion by late April 2026.
Impact
- User Interface Change: SharePoint page authors will no longer see the “Web Search” tab when using the image picker tool to add content to pages or news posts.
- Availability of Alternatives: Users will retain access to other image sourcing options, including Microsoft’s curated Stock images, local file uploads, Site and Tenant assets, and Recent files.
- Global Application: This change affects all SharePoint Online tenants automatically. There is no option to opt-out or extend the service, as it relies on a retired backend API.
- Existing Content: Previously inserted images are not expected to be affected; only the ability to source new images via the Bing search interface is being removed.
Action Required
- Internal Communication: Notify SharePoint site owners, page authors, and corporate communications teams that the web-based image search feature will be decommissioned.
- Documentation Updates: Review and update internal training materials, “How-to” guides, or SharePoint governance documentation to remove references to the Bing image search pivot.
- Help Desk Preparation: Inform IT support and help desk staff of this change to ensure they can properly guide users toward alternative image sourcing methods once the pivot is removed.
- Workflow Review: Encourage users to utilize the built-in “Stock images” library as a compliant and high-quality alternative for web-based imagery.
Microsoft Official Update
Service: N/A
Category: planForChange
Severity: normal
[Introduction]
We are retiring the Web Search (Bing) image pivot within the SharePoint page image picker. This feature allowed authors to search the web for images using Bing and insert them into SharePoint pages. Because Microsoft has retired the underlying Bing Search API, the Web Search (Bing) image pivot will no longer function reliably and will be removed from SharePoint Pages.
[When this will happen:]
Retirement will begin in early March 2026 and is expected to be completed by late April 2026.
[How this affects your organization:]
Who is affected:
- All SharePoint Online tenants
- SharePoint page authors who insert images using the page image picker
What will happen:
- The Web Search (Bing) pivot will be removed from the SharePoint page image picker for all tenants.
- Authors will continue to have access to Stock images, Local file upload, Site and tenant assets, and Recent files.
- The change is on by default and applies automatically.
- No admin configuration or policy changes are required.
[What you can do to prepare:]
No action is required before this rollout. You may want to:
- Inform SharePoint authors that web-based image search will no longer be available.
- Update internal training or documentation to highlight supported alternatives.
- Notify help desk staff so they can assist users after the change.
[Compliance considerations:]
No compliance considerations identified; review as appropriate for your organization.
