MC1088170 - Microsoft SharePoint: Estimated read time for News posts

Service

SharePoint Online

Published

Jun 4, 2025

Tag

Feature update
User impact
Admin impact

Platforms

Android
Desktop
iOS
Web

Summary

Microsoft SharePoint will add an estimated read time to News posts, starting rollout in June 2025. This feature will be available on the web and Microsoft Viva Connections app in Teams. It will be on by default, with an option for authors to toggle it on or off. No admin action is required.

More information

We will add an estimated read time to Microsoft SharePoint News posts to help users better manage their time and engagement.

This message applies to SharePoint News on the web and the Microsoft Viva Connections app in Microsoft Teams for Windows desktop, Teams for the web, and Teams for Android and iOS.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 491024.

When this will happen:

Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out early June 2025 and expect to complete by mid-June 2025.

General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, and DoD): We will begin rolling out mid-June 2025 and expect to complete by late June 2025.

How this will affect your organization:

After this rollout, SharePoint News posts will display an estimated read time. This will appear in the banner web part of each news item:

user controls

The feature is on by default.

Authors can toggle it on or off in the settings panel of the banner web part:

user controls

What you need to do to prepare:

This rollout will happen automatically by the specified dates with no admin action required before the rollout. You may want to notify your users about this change and update your relevant documentation.

Learn more: Create and share news on your SharePoint sites - Microsoft Support (will be updated before rollout)