503144 – Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365): Domain exclusion for web grounding

Product:

Copilot

Platform:

Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

In development

Change type:

Links:

Details:

This feature will allow admins to specify a limited set of sites to exclude from web grounding in M365 Copilot and Copilot Chat #copilotcontrolsystem

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2025-09-11

updated:
2025-10-08

Docu to Check

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MS workload name

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Web Grounding Exclusion
If domain exclusion is implemented without proper preparation, users may experience a lack of access to necessary web resources, leading to decreased productivity and frustration.
   - roles: End Users, IT Support
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-365-copilot-blog/microsoft-365-copilot-and-copilot-chat-domain-exclusion-for-web/ba-p/3856780

User Experience Disruption
Unprepared changes may lead to confusion among users regarding which sites are accessible, resulting in a negative user experience and potential resistance to using Copilot features.
   - roles: End Users, Product Managers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2023/10/01/introducing-microsoft-365-copilot-a-new-era-of-productivity/

Configutation Options**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

Imagine you have a personal assistant who helps you with your daily tasks, like finding information or scheduling meetings. This assistant is really good at searching the internet to find the best answers to your questions. However, there are certain websites you don't trust or find irrelevant, and you'd prefer your assistant not to use them when gathering information.

In the world of Microsoft 365 Copilot, which is a digital assistant for businesses, there's a new feature that allows administrators to set rules about which websites Copilot can use when it searches for information. Think of it like giving your assistant a list of websites to avoid, ensuring that the information it provides is from sources you trust.

This feature is particularly useful for companies that have specific security or compliance requirements. For example, if your company has a policy against using certain websites due to privacy concerns, you can now ensure that Copilot respects these rules by excluding those sites from its search results.

In practice, it's similar to setting parental controls on a child's device, where you can block certain websites to ensure they only access appropriate content. Here, the "parent" is the company administrator, and the "child" is the Copilot system, being guided to only use the most suitable and approved resources. This helps maintain the integrity and reliability of the information Copilot provides to employees, ensuring it aligns with the company's standards and policies.