> SpecStream is the live web data engine for teams and agents. This is the Markdown copy of https://specstream.ai/docs/integrations/semantic-kernel. Every page, with what SpecStream does and costs: https://specstream.ai/llms.txt

# Semantic Kernel

For Semantic Kernel apps that search the web with Bing: the Bing text search runs on the Search API once you change its endpoint and key.

Microsoft retired the Bing Web Search API in August 2025, so a Bing search in Semantic Kernel gets no results today. The Search API answers the same request in Bing's shape.

## .NET

1.  1

    ## 1. Add the web plugins package

    Terminal

    ```bash
    dotnet add package Microsoft.SemanticKernel.Plugins.Web --prerelease
    ```

2.  2

    ## 2. Set the endpoint and the key

    Pass the address as `Endpoint` in `BingTextSearchOptions`, and [your key](https://specstream.ai/workspace/search?route=bing&utm_source=semantic-kernel&utm_medium=howto) as `apiKey`, in place of `YOUR_SPECSTREAM_KEY`:

    C#

    ```csharp
    using Microsoft.SemanticKernel.Plugins.Web.Bing;
    
    var textSearch = new BingTextSearch(
        apiKey: "YOUR_SPECSTREAM_KEY",
        options: new BingTextSearchOptions { Endpoint = new Uri("https://api.specstream.ai/v7.0/search") });
    ```

    Everything else stays as it is, including a plugin made with `textSearch.CreateWithSearch`.

## Java

The `BingConnector` of the Semantic Kernel for Java samples reads its address from the `bing.search.url` system property or the `BING_SEARCH_URL` environment variable. Set one of them. The sample `Example07_BingAndGooglePlugins` reads [your key](https://specstream.ai/workspace/search?route=bing&utm_source=semantic-kernel&utm_medium=howto) from `BING_API_KEY`:

Environment

```bash
BING_SEARCH_URL=https://api.specstream.ai/v7.0/search
BING_API_KEY=YOUR_SPECSTREAM_KEY
```

Or as a JVM option:

JVM option

```bash
-Dbing.search.url=https://api.specstream.ai/v7.0/search
```

## Check it works

In .NET, run one search and print what comes back. Each line is the snippet of a page found:

C#

```csharp
var results = await textSearch.SearchAsync("What is Semantic Kernel?", new() { Top = 4 });
await foreach (string result in results.Results)
{
    Console.WriteLine(result);
}
```

In Java, run `Example07_BingAndGooglePlugins`. The Bing answer lists the pages it found. A wrong or missing key gets status 401.

## Cost

Each search is one Search API call at $5 per 1,000 searches of up to 10 results. It comes out of your balance, with no quote and no approval. [Search API](https://specstream.ai/docs/search-api.md) has the details.

`Top` or `count` above 10 costs more per call. Keep it at 10 or less to pay the base price.

## Your key

[Get your key](https://specstream.ai/workspace/search?route=bing&utm_source=semantic-kernel&utm_medium=howto) on the Search API screen of your SpecStream workspace. New accounts start with $10 of credit, no card.

Other products that call Bing or Google move the same way: [Bing and Google search API](https://specstream.ai/docs/integrations/bing-and-google-search-api.md).