Bing Maps API FAQ

The Bing Maps Platform provides multiple APIs that enable maps to be accessed across multiple platforms:

• Web APIs: The Bing Maps V8 web control API can be developed using JavaScript and TypeScript. This API uses HTML5 and works on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Windows Phone. This API is the most widely used and the recommended API for most types of applications.
• The Bing Maps REST Services uses REST URLs to perform tasks such as creating a static image of a map with pushpins, geocoding an address, retrieving imagery metadata or calculating a route.
• The Bing Spatial Data Services use REST URLs to geocode and reverse-geocode large sets of spatial data and to create and query data sources. A data source is a set of data that has a spatial component such as an address, coordinates or sales region. This service then exposes this data as a spatial REST service. For example, you can create a data source for a set of stores and then query this data source to find stores that are within a specified distance of a location.
• The Bing Maps WPF Control SDK lets developers integrate the latest Bing Maps data into rich WPF applications.
• Windows 10: The Windows 10 Universal Platform lets you build map apps that target a range of Windows 10 devices, including phones, tablets and desktop PCs, using familiar technologies like C# and XAML. You can also leverage Aerial 3D and Streetside imagery, along with the ability to view your maps offline.

For more information, visit the Developer page.

Bing Maps allows batch geocoding. For more details visit: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/bingmaps/spatial-data-services/geocode-and-data-source-limits

The Bing Maps Routing API considers live traffic data and historical traffic data to present the fastest and safest route for users. Support for multiple modes of travel, including walking, driving, and public transportation, makes the API accessible for a wide range of users. Visit the Truck Routing page to learn about how Bing Maps provides intelligent logistics solutions tailored to your organization.

Please visit the Routing page for details about routing APIs.

Also, with partners such as OnTerra Systems and EasyTerritory that offer route optimization solutions, customers can supplement their Bing Maps service to have route optimization.

Geocoding data can be stored for as long as you have a Bing Maps contract, and as long as it will be used with Bing Maps and not another mapping platform.

MapPoint is no longer available as of December 31, 2014. Please visit our MapPoint Alternatives page for the options available.

The built-in map app of Windows 10 allows users to download street maps (not aerial/satellite maps) for certain countries. A developer can create a Windows 10 app and bring mapping into that app by using the Windows 10 Universal Windows Platform API (which requires a Bing Maps key). If the user has downloaded maps in Windows 10, then a Windows 10 app (created by a developer) would use the downloaded maps when the user is offline. If the user is online, then the Windows 10 app would fetch the maps over the web (like the rest of the Bing Maps APIs do). It’s important to note that the offline street maps (geocoding and routing as well) are limited to Windows 10 apps and require each user to download the maps ahead of time. For more information, click here.

Also, using Universal Windows Platform (UWP), you can use classes in the Windows.Services.Maps.OfflineMaps namespace to find downloaded packages in a given area (based on a Geopoint, GeoboundingBox, etc.). You can also check and listen for the downloaded status of map packages as well as start a download without requiring the user to leave your application.

You’ll find examples of how to do this in both the reference content and the Universal Windows Platform map sample.

Bing Maps imagery comes from a variety of different providers and will vary based on the region of the world, zoom level and imagery type being shown. Generally, the name of the imagery source is displayed as part of the copyright in the lower righthand corner of the Bing map.

You can also find imagery provider details for a given map image by using the ‘include=ImageryProviders’ parameter of the Bing Maps Imagery Metadata API.

If you are looking to print Bing Maps you will need to make sure that you are within our Bing Maps Print Rights Terms of Use.

The Bing Maps platform supports over 100 languages and cultures, and developers can customize map styles to accommodate different cultures. Click here to find the list of Culture Codes supported by Bing Maps.

Bing Maps supports multiple platforms and operating systems. Developers can create web-based apps easily using V8 Web Control and code for phones, tablets, and desktops using the Universal Windows Platform.

Bing Maps supports the following platforms:

• Browser-based applications
• Mobile apps
• Tablet apps
• Server-side applications
• Client applications
• Windows-based applications

The Bing Maps Spatial Data Services provide REST APIs that support batch geocode and store and query spatial data. This simple REST interface accomplishes tasks by setting parameters in a URL and then submitting the URL as an HTTP request. To learn more, visit the Bing Spatial Data Services documentation page. Additionally, you can sample Spatial Data Services Module examples on our Interactive SDK.

Bing Maps does not allow caching or storing content. You cannot cache or store any content (maps, images, point of interest data, geocodes, etc.) from the Bing Maps APIs, with the exception that you may store geocodes locally for the sole use of your application. Also if you are licensed to use Bing Maps Mobile Asset Management, you may use the services to cache a Geofence and/or Geofencing Alerts on a device only with your application, provided that neither the Geofence nor the Geofencing Alerts interacts with the vehicle’s dashboard, systems or sensors.

Please refer to our Bing Maps Platform APIs Terms of Use for more information on caching.

We have coverage of all countries, although the data levels will vary depending upon location. You can check geographic coverage for things such as geocoding and routing precision here.

The Bing Maps control has a Neutral Ground truth map layer. We also support many different cultures which adhere to the different geopolitical issues. For more information, visit our Setting Map Control Parameters documentation page.

Please refer to section 5 General Restrictions within our Bing Maps Platform APIs Terms of Use for guidance.

Yes, you may use geocodes with third party maps.

Yes, the Bing Maps Geocode Dataflow API supports batch geocoding. For the details of this service, please see the following resources.

• Geocode Dataflow API
• Geocode and Data Source Limits

There are four levels of geocoding accuracy in Bing Maps, Rooftop, Address, Street Name and Basic. Geocoding precision by country can be found here.

We don’t expose Bing Maps as a WMS layer. Contact a Bing Maps Sales Specialist to learn more about partners who can help.

Yes, the Snap to Road API provides the posted speed limit for auto and trucks, see documentation here.

Yes, Bing Maps uses traffic data in the routing/directions services as well as for display purposes. See the traffic flow and traffic incident data info here.

Yes, you can use the Elevations API to get elevation information for a set of locations, polyline, or area on the Earth. View documentation.

Yes, postal code boundaries as well as other administration boundary data are available in the Geodata API of the Bing Spatial Data Service. View documentation.

The Bing Maps Platform supports software-based monitoring and tracking solutions that help mitigate loss and control operational costs for transportation companies and other organizations with fleet vehicles, mobile assets or mobile workforces.

• Overlay locations, routes and business stats on a map for real-time visibility of assets and resources.
  Map Integration can help improve customer service and response times with access to traffic, elevations, boundary data, reverse geocoding, imagery and more.
• Make better decisions on fleet placement and mobile workforce resources for maximum cost-efficiency

Read the Asset Management datasheet to learn more.

With Microsoft Dynamics, Azure and Bing Maps, organizations can visualize, understand and interpret their CRM data within a location-based context to help make smarter, real-time business decisions. Bing Maps overlaid with CRM data can help organizations build stronger customer relationships, enhance quality, improve efficiency and lower costs.

• Map your sales accounts, leads and opportunities to demographics, market conditions, competitive intelligence and more.
• Visually analyze your customers, field resources, service requests, sales and other KPI data by location using thermatic maps and overlays.
• Identify, monitor and target trends by geographical context for deeper insights.

Click here to learn more about CRM with Bing Maps.

Together with Microsoft’s Power BI and Bing Maps, organizations can collect, analyze and transform multiple layers of data into informative visualizations for more insightful business intelligence. Use map integration and data visualization to derive a better understanding of patterns and relationships to optimize processes, improve quality and maximize opportunities.

• Get instant access to categorical and quantitative data with spatial locations.
• Identify trends and gain deeper insights with multiple datasets overlaid on a map.
• Map KPIs by location real-time for a visual snapshot of relative information.
• Supercharge your data beyond charts and graphs for impactful visualizations.

Click here to learn more about BI for the Enterprise.

Yes, the Bing Maps platform supports a Multi-Itinerary Optimization API that enables organizations to create short and fast routes optimized for specific vehicle types and capabilities. This API saves organizations time by allowing them to create itineraries quickly for multiple agents headed to many different destinations.

There are licensing plans where Bing Maps is free. Please check the following list to see if you may qualify for free use of Bing Maps:

• Conduct fewer than 125,000 transactions per calendar year on websites and mobile apps that are not on/for the Windows Phone.
• Conduct fewer than 50,000 transactions within any 24-hour period on Windows Development App, Education and Non-profit.

For more information, please view the Online Terms of Use and our Licensing Options chart.

The Bing Maps Platform offers a suite of map controls and service APIs that you can use to integrate Bing Maps services and content into your applications.

Choose Your API: For a breakdown of the Bing Maps APIs by feature and platform, go to Bing Maps APIs page.

Bing Maps keys: All APIs require a Bing Maps key to access the service. For information about the different types of keys, go to the Get Started page.

Licensing: If you know the details of your application, use the Licensing Options chart to assist in choosing the right license. If you have additional questions or want to request a quote, contact a Bing Maps Licensing Specialist.

Additional Resources: For Bing Maps API technical information and code samples, visit the Bing Maps Documentation.

A Bing Maps transaction is generated every time a call to a Bing Maps API is made. The more calls to the Bing Maps API’s, the more transactions that are generated. Since Bing Maps has free and paid versions, the main indication of use to focus on is billable transactions. Review the detailed explanation of Bing Maps transactions in our documentation.

Transactions track Bing Maps API usage and can be billable or non-billable depending on which feature is being used. For example, using the Bing Maps V8 web control to show a map on a web page or using the Bing Maps REST Imagery API to get a static map image will both result in billable transactions, while using the Bing Maps REST Imagery API to get vintage metadata for a given map image is not a billable transaction.

Additionally, if your application is using any of the Bing Map Control API’s (i.e., V8 web control, WPF Control, etc.) you can use a map control session ID to make subsequent Bing Maps API calls (i.e., Bing Maps REST Locations API call, etc.) within the map be non-billable transactions. Bing Maps API requests originating from a Bing Maps control that use a session ID instead of the Bing Maps key are non-billable up to 50 requests per session. The 51st transaction and every transaction thereafter will be billable. When an application uses a map control session ID for subsequent Bing Maps API calls within the map, the number of transactions needed to license becomes simplified and often works out to the number of page views the map page receives.

At the Bing Maps Dev Center you can register for a Bing Maps account and create a Bing Maps key to access the Bing Maps APIs and services. A basic account and key provide 125,000 transactions per calendar year at no charge.

If you have purchased licenses, you will need to have your account provisioned to align to your licenses. This will enable you to upgrade to Enterprise keys and enable transaction usage to the levels you have purchased. To provision an account, please contact a Bing Maps Licensing Specialist.

Bing Maps has a number of different licensing options available to suit different usage scenarios.
Bing Maps can be licensed by the number of transactions, number of users, or number of assets for mobile asset management scenarios. Not all licensing options can be used for every scenario so please ensure you have read the Bing Maps Platform APIs Terms of Use to ensure you understand if that licensing type suits your usage scenario.

You can learn more about Bing Maps licensing for a Website, Windows Applications, Mobile Apps, Mobile Asset Management Tracking, or Education and Non-Profit use visit the Licensing page.

The Basic Bing Maps key is for evaluation purposes, for qualified education and non-profit use cases, and for websites and Windows applications that have limited transaction needs. The Enterprise key is for higher transaction usage when licenses have been purchased, and provides customers with the enterprise-level support and service level agreement (SLA). For details on enterprise developer support, please review the Bing Maps Enterprise Developer Support Overview document.

For information about the Bing Maps keys go to the Get Started page.

Only “billable” transactions count towards the free-use limits for Basic keys, and Enterprise keys are only charged for “billable” transactions. “Non-billable” transactions do not incur charges and do not count towards free-use limits. To determine if your application will qualify for free use and for more about licensing and transaction limits, contact the Licensing team or read the Bing Maps Platform APIs Terms of Use.

Also, see review Understanding Bing Maps Transactions documentation.

When you use any Bing Maps API with a Bing Maps Key (you must have a Bing Maps Account), transactions are logged. Transactions are API calls to the Bing Maps service measured on a per-account basis, which track API usage and can be billable or non-billable.

Generally, Bing Maps service requests are logged as “Non-billable” when you make the request from a Bing Maps control and you use a session ID in place of a Bing Maps key to authenticate your request. This session ID is only valid for the map control session. (A session means a period of time that begins when an end user loads a Bing Maps control in the end users’ browser or application and ends when the end user navigates to a different web page or closes the application).

Note that if you make service requests with a Bing Maps key instead of a session ID within the session, you will be charged for all billable requests and some Bing Maps API’s don’t support a session ID. For more information on transactions vs. sessions, go to the Understanding Bing Maps Transactions page.

Yes. Known User license is limited to 100,000 total forward or reverse geocoding transactions or routing requests within any 24-hour period and 10M transactions per year. If you are licensed for 5,000 or more Known Users the limit is 20 requests per Known User within any 24-hour period and 2,000 requests per Known User per year.

Light Known User license is limited to 25,000 total forward or reverse geocoding transactions or routing requests within any 24-hour period and 5M transactions per year. If you are licensed for 5,000 or more Light Known Users the limit is 10 requests per Light Known User within any 24-hour period and 1,000 requests per Light Known User per year.

Microsoft provides a Bing Maps ISV (Independent Software Vendor) Licensor program via its Distributor channel. Below are Authorized Bing Maps Distributors:

ALL COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES
Grey Matter
https://greymatter.com/
Contact Grey Matter

Fleet Management applications must be licensed with Bing Maps Mobile Asset Management licenses. Please see the Bing Maps Platform APIs Terms of Use and look for “Bing Maps Mobile Asset Management Platform Add-on Subscription License.”

Under a Bing Maps Mobile Asset Management Platform Add-on Subscription License (plus the Mobile Asset Management with or without Routing SKUs), you may only use the Bing Maps services in an application that is used by your employees for mobile asset management to track, view, and manage assets based on their GPS or other sensor based location. Your application may be accessed via a web browser or an installed client, provided that you strictly control functionality in the user interface and authentication of users. This license includes the right to use fleet management Premium Services, unless specifically stated otherwise. To use the Premium Services, you must purchase an additional license for that API:

• Distance Matrix API – Calculate travel times and distance in many-to-many scenarios, with an optional histogram to predict traffic.
• Truck Routing API – Determine travel routes that take into consideration a truck or commercial vehicle’s attributes.
• Snap to Road API – Snap the path to the most logical path, using the vehicle’s GPS trace, as well as road attributes, such as speed limit and elevation.

The Bing Maps AJAX Control Version 7 and SOAP Web Services were deprecated on June 30, 2017.

If you are using the Bing Maps AJAX Control V7 or SOAP Web Services, you will be affected. If you view your usage reports in the Bing Maps portal and see any of the following transactions listed in the usage report:

• Bing Maps V7 transaction: “AJAXSession”
• SOAP Service Transactions: “WS:Geocode”, “WS:ReverseGeocode”, “WS:GetImageryMetadata”, “WS:GetMapUri”, “WS:CalculateRoute”, , “WS:GetImageryMetadata”, “WS:CalculateRoutesFromMajorRoads”, “WS:Search”

Bing Maps AJAX Control Version 7 (V7) were deprecated on June 30, 2017. After this date, support for the V7 control will end and service availability will no longer be guaranteed. To avoid unforeseen issues with your implementation, we encourage you to migrate to Bing Maps Version 8 web control as soon as possible.

Below is a comparison chart summarizing the high-level features of the offerings. More details about Bing Maps V8 web control are available on https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/maps/bing-maps/v8control.

A migration guide entitled Migrating Bing Maps V7 to V8 is available to help guide you through the process.

You can find migration documentation and details about all end-of-life dates at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/maps/bing-maps/discontinued-control-migration-guidelines.

For questions specific to your implementation, please contact your Bing Maps Sales contact or reach out to our technical team via the Bing Maps forums.

Please visit https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/maps/bing-maps/contact-us to connect with a Bing Maps Sales Specialist or be directed to technical support channels.

Consult our brand guidelines for a thorough guide to assist you with branding for mobile, including accounting for different screen sizes and resolutions for a smooth user experience.

Bing Maps offers detailed developer resources that include code samples, documentation on how to use everything that Bing Maps APIs have to offer, and an interactive SDK that encourages developers to experiment with editable code.

Visit the Bing Maps Documentation for information on map controls and services. Other helpful resources include the Bing Maps forum and blog.

For developer code samples, click here.

Visit Bing Maps on Microsoft Docs for information on the Bing Maps APIs and SDKs, and check out the Interactive SDK.

You can access the Interactive SDK here.

Please see below:

• Broadcast, Media and Entertainment Terms of Use
• Print Terms of Use ​

After you have purchased a Bing Maps license, it is important that you complete your provisioning form. If you have purchased through a Bing Maps distributor or reseller, please contact them to complete your provisioning form. If you did not purchase a Bing Maps license through a distributor or reseller, please contact Bing Maps Licensing for assistance in provisioning your account.

Please review the documentation to get started with the Bing Maps Web Control.

Licensed enterprise-level customers can expect ≥99.9% per the Bing Maps SLA (Service Level Agreement) for service availability/uptime.

If you have a Basic Key and are experiencing an issue, please submit it to the Bing Maps forum. If you have an Enterprise key, 24/7 enterprise-level customer support is included as part of your license. Click here to review the Enterprise Developer Support overview for further guidance.

For additional help, please contact Bing Maps at maplic@microsoft.com.

During the pre-sales phase, Bing Maps technical and licensing experts are available to assist with any questions. For post-sales support, all Bing Maps licensed customers have access to a dedicated Bing Maps Technical Support Team for technical questions and guidance at no additional cost. To leverage the Microsoft Enterprise support team, visit the Microsoft Support page.

If you are using a Basic Account (i.e. you did not purchase a Bing Maps license), post your questions to the Microsoft forum, which is monitored by technical specialists.

To obtain an overview of the support offered, please visit the Bing Maps Support page.

See code samples and support resources below:

• Bing Maps Support page
• Interactive SDK code samples

Enterprise customers can look forward to a dedicated support team that will assist them with both basic questions and advanced app development queries.

Go to Bing Places for Business to manage the listing for your business on Bing.com.

Go to https://www.bing.com/maps and click on the Feedback link at the bottom of the page to report an issue.

Go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/maps/bing-maps/streetside for details.

Head over to the Bing Maps Customer Stories section to see how Bing Maps APIs are helping businesses create useful mapping apps loaded with functionality. From job-seeking individuals to large organizations handling millions of customers, there’s a use case relevant for everybody.

The News section contains all updates, announcements, webinars, and events related to Bing Maps.