Why is Azure Cognitive Search charging even when not used, and how to avoid costs when not used?

Hii SeethaRam266,

It looks like you're concerned about the ongoing charges for Azure Cognitive Search even when you're not actively using it. Here’s what you need to know:
Why Are You Incurring Charges?

Azure Cognitive Search operates with fixed costs tied to the resources that are provisioned for your search service. This means that as long as the service exists, you're charged for the minimum required number of replicas and partitions regardless of whether you’re actively querying or indexing.

How to Manage and Reduce Costs

Unfortunately, you cannot simply "pause" or "stop" the Azure Cognitive Search service to avoid charges. The only way to eliminate the charges entirely is to delete the service. However, keep in mind that deleting the service is permanent and will also remove all associated data.

Here are some recommendations for cost management and potential savings:

1. Delete When Not in Use: If you find that you're not using the service for an extended period, consider deleting it and recreating it when needed. Although this involves data management, it can eliminate costs during downtimes.
2. Right-Size Your Search Service: Ensure you’re using only the resources you need. If you’re on a higher pricing tier, consider switching down to a Basic tier if it meets your service requirements.
3. Leverage Azure Pricing Calculator: Use the Azure pricing calculator to estimate costs based on your specific usage patterns and configurations.
4. Keep an Eye on Usage: You can download your usage report to better understand the costs associated with the Azure Cognitive Search, which helps with future budgeting and planning. More info can be found here.
5. Review Alternative Architectures: Depending on your usage needs, you might explore alternative services or different architectures that could be more cost-effective but still meet your requirements.

Conclusion

While managing costs in Azure Cognitive Search can be challenging due to its pricing model, understanding the service and being proactive in resource management can help minimize your expenses.

Additional Questions for You

To provide more tailored advice, could you clarify:

• How frequently do you use the Azure Cognitive Search service?
• What kind of data or queries do you typically run?
• Are you encountering specific cost thresholds that concern you, or is it more about the ongoing daily charges?

Hope this helps! If you have further questions, feel free to ask!

References

• Azure AI Search Pricing
• Azure Pricing Calculator
• How to download azure usage
• Plan and manage costs of an Azure AI Search service
• Change your pricing tier