Is Copilot Search the Next Generation of Enterprise Search?

• Copilot Search is the default in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app for licensed users, potentially superseding Microsoft Search.
• It uses a semantic index, enabling natural language queries, so users do not need to recall specific keywords to locate content.
• Copilot connectors link external systems to Microsoft Graph for an added enterprise search capability.
• Features in Microsoft Search were retired, suggesting Microsoft may no longer be investing in it.

Copilot Search is an AI assistant for Microsoft 365 that allows users to search using natural language without knowing content details. Unlike keyword-based Microsoft Search, it uses a semantic index for more relevant results and supports external data via Copilot connectors for enterprise-level results. Although its value may be difficult to quantify, for organizations planning to deploy M365 Copilot, Copilot Search may help users find content more quickly than Microsoft Search. However, since Microsoft indicated Copilot Search was an alternative to the now-retired Microsoft Search in Bing, Copilot Search may be the future if its licensing model changes.