Since it’s official launch, I’m now testing the new PPC search offering: Microsoft adCenter – the online advertising platform for MSN Search.
If you missed the announcement on May 4th, Microsoft has now officially launched its adCenter online advertising system in the U.S. This will now compete directly with Google and Yahoo! in selling ads on the Web.
Over the past year (through Singapore, France and it’s pilot program in the U.S.), Microsoft has been slowly weaning itself from showing Yahoo! ads on MSN Search. Now that adCenter is open for business, no more Yahoo! ads will be shown on the Microsoft search pages within these countries. International regions will undoubtedly follow suit at a later date.
Through the adCenter interface, Microsoft works directly with advertisers to provide sophisticated information about consumers. In addition to country-specific targeting, the service also allows advertisers to choose specific times of the day or week in which their ads would be displayed. The audience intelligence data allows you to learn about your campaigns without even spending a dollar.
Although I’m not a big fan of Google style ads (due to character limits), this service does looks promising. The intelligence data that Microsoft provides certainly helps you to drive better ROI in your campaigns. Given the recent problems I’ve been experiencing with Yahoo! (see article: Strange Results From Yahoo! Sponsored Search), this service could well replace my Yahoo! campaigns… I’ll keep you posted on the developments 🙂
To learn more about adCenter and to become an advertiser, visit the Microsoft adCenter website. You can also keep up with the latest news and updates by visiting the Microsoft adCenter Blog.
DiggThis | Yahoo! My Web | Furl
Derek Jones is the author of the Home Business Creation and Success Strategies Blog, which includes the latest Marketing News and Developments plus helpful Tips, Tricks, Tools and Advice on starting and developing a successful and profitable Home-Based Internet Business.
