MC1138788 – (Updated) Viva Engage: Public discussions now available in Workplace Search and Copilot Search

Product:

Copilot, Microsoft Viva, Microsoft Viva Engage, SharePoint

Platform:

Online, Web, World tenant

Status:

Change type:

New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

Details:

Summary:
Viva Engage public discussion posts will appear in Microsoft 365 search results on Office.com, SharePoint.com, and Copilot Search starting late November 2025. No admin action is needed, content visibility respects user access, and a Copilot license is required for Copilot Search. Inform users accordingly.

Details:
Updated September 9, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Introduction
We're expanding the visibility of Viva Engage content in enterprise search experiences. Users will now be able to discover discussion posts from public Communities and Storylines in search results across Microsoft 365 surfaces such as Office.com, SharePoint.com, and Copilot Search. This builds on existing support for question posts from Communities, Storylines, and Answers, helping users discover more relevant conversations and knowledge across their organization. This feature is available by default. A Copilot license is required to use Copilot Search.
When this will happen
General Availability: Rollout will begin in late November 2025 (previously late August) and is expected to complete by late December 2025 (previously late October).

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:

Created:
2025-08-21

updated:
2025-09-10

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Urgency

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MS workload name

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Pictures

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Increased Search Results Visibility
Users may experience an influx of public discussion posts in their search results, potentially overwhelming them with information and making it harder to find relevant content.
   - roles: End Users, Knowledge Workers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/09/09/viva-engage-public-discussions-now-available-in-workplace-search-and-copilot-search/

User Training and Adaptation
Users may require additional training to effectively navigate and utilize the expanded search capabilities, leading to a temporary decrease in productivity as they adapt.
   - roles: End Users, Training Coordinators
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/09/09/viva-engage-public-discussions-now-available-in-workplace-search-and-copilot-search/

Configutation Options**

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Data Protection**

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explanation for non-techies**

Imagine your office is like a library, filled with books (information) that everyone needs to access to do their jobs effectively. Now, let's say there are new shelves being added where certain books are now easier to find because they are placed in a more visible spot. This is similar to what's happening with Viva Engage public discussion posts.

Starting in late November 2025, these discussion posts will become more visible in Microsoft 365 search results, like on Office.com and SharePoint.com. Think of it as a librarian rearranging the books so that popular or important ones are easier to spot when you walk in. This change means that when you search for information, you’ll now see more relevant discussions from your organization, making it easier to find the knowledge you need.

No action is needed from your side, just like you wouldn’t need to do anything if the library rearranged its books. The system automatically respects who has access to what, so only those who should see certain discussions will be able to find them. If you want to use the new Copilot Search feature, think of it as a special tool or app that requires a specific membership or license, like a premium library card that gives you access to extra resources.

To prepare, you might want to let your team know about this new feature, much like you’d inform them about a new section in the library. Update any internal guides or training materials so everyone knows how to make the most of these new search capabilities. Remember, there are no new compliance issues to worry about, but it’s always good to review your organization’s policies just to be sure everything aligns.