Having a Bing API key can be a game-changer for your application or service, but it's crucial to secure it to prevent unauthorized access.
If your Bing API key is compromised, it can lead to a range of issues, including excessive usage charges and potential data breaches.
To prevent this, it's essential to store your Bing API key securely, such as in environment variables or a secrets manager.
Regularly review your API usage to detect any suspicious activity.
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Troubleshooting
If your Bing Maps key is no longer valid, you'll encounter certain errors that prevent your application from authenticating with Bing Maps Services.
One common error is the retirement of the Multi-Itinerary Optimisation (MIO) API, which means the Bing Maps Calculate Optimised Itinerary Routes service is no longer available.
You can transition to Azure Maps, which offers the same capability with enhanced security, privacy, and compliance features.
Azure Maps is a viable solution for customers who need to calculate optimised itinerary routes.
Here are some key differences between Bing Maps and Azure Maps:
To get started with Azure Maps, you can contact their team or follow their guide on how to Build Your Own Multi-Itinerary Optimisation Services with Azure Maps.
Options
If you're looking to use the Bing API, you have a few options to consider.
You can upgrade to a Bing Maps Enterprise License, which provides access to production-grade keys and higher usage limits.
An Enterprise license is essential for organizations using Bing Maps in customer-facing, commercial, or high-volume applications.
With an Enterprise license, you'll get priority support and integration guidance.
Here are some benefits of upgrading to an Enterprise license:
- Access to production-grade keys.
- Higher usage limits and SLA-backed reliability.
- Advanced features and commercial usage rights.
- Priority support and integration guidance.
Enhanced Security
Enhanced Security for Bing Maps API Keys is a new feature that allows you to restrict access to your API keys to a set of domains you specify.
You can define a strict set of Referrer values or IP address ranges that the key will be validated against. Requests originating from your allow list will process normally, while requests from outside of your list will return an access denied response.
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Adding domain Security to your API key is completely optional and keys left as-is will continue to function as they do today.
The allow list for a key is independent from all of your other keys, enabling you to have distinct rules for each of your keys.
Currently, we only support exact referrer name matching, meaning if your browser or header request sends https://www.contoso.com/, please have your referrer name as: https://www.contoso.com/ in the whitelisting definition.
Here's a step-by-step guide to setting up domain security:
- Sign into the developer portal with your Microsoft Account
- Select the My Account → My Keys menu choice to show a list of all of your keys
- Click the ‘Enable Security’ link for the key you wish to set restrictions on
- For a referrer rule, specify a Rule name and Referrer, then hit the green ‘plus’ button to add it
- For an IP Range Rule, click to the IP range tab, then enter a rule name and your desired starting and ending IP address
- You can continue to add as many rules as needed for each key
- Press the close button when you are finished.
It can take up to 30 minutes for these changes to take effect.
Solution and Resolution
To obtain a Bing Maps Key, you'll need to subscribe to a Developer License. This will give you access to the necessary key.
Bing Maps services are not entirely free, so a license is required. You can check the full list of available licenses and their respective features by clicking here.
To view your key, use the Show key option.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get access to Bing API?
To access the Bing API, you'll need to create an Azure account and follow the steps to set up a Bing Search Resource and obtain an API key. Start by creating an Azure account to begin your Bing API journey.
Is Bing API free?
No, Bing API pricing is based on transaction increments, starting at 25,000 for some APIs and 1,000 for others. Check our pricing tiers for more information on how to use Bing APIs within your budget.
Does Bing have a search API?
Unfortunately, Bing's search API was retired on August 11, 2025. If you're looking for alternatives, we can help you explore other search API options.
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