Microsoft launches website ad network

Jake Widman
Thursday, 23 April 2009 02:02

Business IT - Technology

The new Microsoft pubCenter Beta program will let certain selected website owners run ads from the Microsoft ad network on their sites -- basically, Google AdSense, but from Microsoft.

The Microsoft ad network, like other online advertising programs, has been primarily intended to let advertisers place ads on Microsoft properties, from Live Search to the Xbox.

The new PubCenter Beta program will now let third-party Web publishers include ads from Microsoft's network on their own sites.

The publishers will be able to customize ads to their sites, and will gain access to performance-tracking features.

The program isn't available to everyone, however. First off, so far it's a U.S.-only program.

Secondly, publishers that ask to participate will have their sites "reviewed for relevancy and fit to the program," according to Microsoft.

Criteria include the quality of the site's content, its traffic history, and the audience. Microsoft discourages sites that require login or have more graphics than text.

CONTINUED Page 2