SharePoint: SharePoint Online search query volume limits when using app-only authentication

When using the SharePoint Online search APIs with app-only authentication where the app implements the Sites.Real.All permissions level or greater, the app is registered with full permissions and allowed to query across all SharePoint Online content to include user’s private OneDrive for Business content. When this change is implemented, queries using the Site.Read.All permissions level or greater will be throttled at 25 QPS.

The search query will return with a 429 response and you can simply retry the query. When waiting for 429 recovery, you should ensure to pause all search query requests you may be making to the service using similar app-only permission. Making additional calls while receiving throttle responses will extend the time it takes for your app to become unthrottled.

As we scale our system, we realize the importance of hardening the system to run it efficiently and also to protect the system and hence this change. This change is expected to rollout beginning August 2020 into the Fall of 2020.
More info: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/dev/general-development/how-to-avoid-getting-throttled-or-blocked-in-sharepoint-online

Status In Development
Product SharePoint
Release phase General Availability
Release date October CY2021
Platform Web
Cloud Instance Worldwide (Standard Multi-Tenant)
Created 2020-06-11
Updated 2021-10-02
Roadmap ID 64963
Roadmap Link https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?featureid=64963


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I've been working with Microsoft Technologies over the last ten years, mainly focused on creating collaboration and productivity solutions that drive the adoption of Microsoft Modern Workplace.

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