Bing Custom Search API Display Requirements are they the same across all tiers?

Question

Hello,

I am currently evaluating Bing Custom search API for my company's sites, and am a little confused regarding the Use & Display Requirements. The wording seems ambiguous to me and would appreciate some clarity.

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Notices and branding

Do:

• Prominently include a functional hyperlink to the Microsoft Privacy Statement, near each point in the user experience (UX) that offers a user the ability to input a search query. Label the hyperlink Microsoft Privacy Statement.
• Prominently display Bing branding, consistent with the Bing Trademark Usage Guidelines, near each point in the UX that offers a user the ability to input a search query. Such branding must clearly state to the user that Microsoft is powering the internet search experience.
• Attribute each response (or portion of a response) displayed from the Bing Web Search, Entity Search, Image Search, News Search, Video Search, and Visual Search APIs to Microsoft, unless Microsoft specifies otherwise in writing for your use. This is described in Bing Trademark Usage Guidelines.

Do not:

• Attribute responses (or portions of responses) displayed from the Bing Custom Search API to Microsoft, unless Microsoft specifies otherwise in writing for your particular use.

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The above is unclear to me, and I can't find an example so i will provide my exact situation in the hope of receiving some clarity.

1. So, My company's website has a search input in the navbar which contains our company logo and the rest of the navigation. Do i have to place both a working link stating "Microsoft Privacy Statement" and also add Microsoft branding inside my navbar? This seems unreasonable if we are purchasing the service from Microsoft and using only the API results. The UI displaying them is being made since the host UI option is extremely limited.

Answer 1

@Michael J If you are using custom bing search, you need not follow the last Do requirement. Since custom search API is also part of Bing offerings, it has the same user and display requirements as other search APIs. However, the Don't requirement is specifically for custom search as custom search requires users to configure the websites that they want to use or not use. Microsoft only provides the ability to power your search in this case and the search results are from the configured websites.

With respect to the first two requirements, I understand the UI space could be limited. You can include links to the privacy statement along with the usage guidelines in your sitemap or bottom of the page. The user should however be able to identify or find the same from their search experience. I think using them in the bottom of search results page works for most users. Thanks!!

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