Microsoft Advertising has announced that it will completely disable its SOAP API on January 31st, 2027. SOAP-based integrations must be moved to the REST API before the cut-off date to prevent disruptions in businesses’ and advertisers’ campaign management and reporting processes.
The update was announced as part of Microsoft’s advertising platform. Originally, Microsoft planned to release new features exclusively through the REST API starting October 2026. However, based on customer feedback, Microsoft updated its policy so that both SOAP and REST APIs will continue to receive new features and enhancements until SOAP(Simple Object Access Protocol) retirement.
What Is Changing?
Microsoft Advertising offers APIs that enable applications and third-party resources to control campaigns, fetch performance data, and automate advertising processes.
There are two technologies that applications can use to communicate with an online service: SOAP and REST. We’re seeing SOAP as the older technology, and Microsoft is going for the REST API as its preferred platform for future development.
The new timeline looks like this:
- Until January 31, 2027: SOAP API is still supported and will continue to receive new features and enhancements.
- On January 31, 2027: Microsoft will completely withdraw SOAP API.
Post-Retirement: Users will have to rely on the REST API to support their integration with Microsoft Advertising.
Because of the longer time frame, companies will have more time to prepare, test integrations, and update their systems.
What are the Reasons for Microsoft to Move to the REST API?
Microsoft is standardizing REST API to offer a more contemporary and uniform approach for apps to communicate with its advertising platform.
REST API is very easy to use, as it is a standard HTTP request with it and typically it’s used with JSON data. It also includes enhanced language and SDK support to help developers develop and maintain integrations.
This change will affect advertisers utilizing automated campaign management, reporting dashboards, or third-party advertising tools particularly.
What Should Advertisers Do?
The first step is to determine if existing tools or applications in the business rely on the use of the SOAP API. The sequence of the steps will change depending on their integrations.
If the business is using SDKs: The user must be aware of the recommendations provided by Microsoft in relation to SDKs, which must be updated.
If the business is not using SDK: You will need to adjust the existing integration code to use the REST API instead of the SOAP API, which includes the required endpoints, request formats, and authentication process.
Another part of testing is also significant. Campaign updates, reporting, and other automated processes must be tested before migration to ensure they will work correctly with the REST API.
Microsoft advises starting as early as possible to make the cut rather than waiting till the deadline. If your integration is more complex, you’ll need more time, so contact your Microsoft Advertising account team or support to see what you can do.
Final Thoughts
This is a major change for campaign automation and reporting integration with Microsoft Advertising’s SOAP API. Remember that the deadline is January 31, 2027, and it’s time to start preparing and begin to look at their systems.
With the change to the REST API and testing integration prior to release, advertisers will be able to keep doing things the way they are used to.
