LiveSide - News blog : adCenter

Bing Toolbox

Sunshine — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:24:16 GMT

Are you a webmaster, a publisher, a developer or maybe an advertiser? Now you can find everything Bing you need at the Bing Toolbox.

As you can see in the screenshot above (click to enlarge), you can submit your domain URL and sitemap to Bing directly. Furthermore you can get a Bing AppID there or go to the PowerToys. Of course you can also see your managed sites and find other useful links there.

You may even want to check back regularly there as you an see the latest news and announcements are there too! So forget all about these separate URLs and go to the Bing Toolbox to find it all!

This is the team’s first effort and they will be building out the site with new content and updated tools as they become available. Got Feedback? Leave it at the forums ;)

Bing Webmaster Blog - New tools for webmasters in the Bing Toolbox

Microsoft adCenter Analytics (was Gatineau) to shut down

Kip Kniskern — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:33:45 GMT

According to an email to beta testers, and a blog post and a post on the adCenter website, adCenter Analytics will shut down on Dec 31, 2009, and no new beta participants are being accepted as of today. From the blog post:

Our objectives at the outset were to serve the needs of small and midsize self-service customers, as well as evolve the Microsoft strategy to address the Web analytics space.

The insights you’ve contributed through your feedback and your use of the tool have served an invaluable purpose in shaping Microsoft’s future in this space. You’ve helped us work towards making an informed decision about building a general Web analytics solution, and despite the end of life plan, the beta was very much a success.

It enabled us to confidently determine that we can be of most value to advertisers and publishers by offering a tailored solution that meets more specialized needs.

adCenter Analytics started as a standalone beta called Gatineau in October 2007, and then was integrated into the adCenter website. According to a comment from blog poster Mel Carson from adCenter Analytics, the closing of this beta does not indicate that the adCenter Publisher program, also in beta, is in danger of closing:

Publisher is NOT closing and is very much part of Microsoft Advertising's ongoing strategy in this space.

At the end of the beta period any analytics information will no longer be available, and beta testers are urged to save their information. The blog post lists a number of alternative analytics products, more information on the blog post.

Microsoft Referrals

Sunshine — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:18:48 GMT

Picturepan2, from LiveSino.net, just tipped us on this one. Since Google will end their Referrals program (including referrals for their own software like Google pack), people may be looking for an alternative to fill the void. Turns out Microsoft has a Referral program, Microsoft Affiliate! Hmm, now why haven’t we noticed this one before…..anyway we signed up now! Awaiting reviewing.

Typically the review process takes between 24-48 hours. We are currently accepting applications from affiliates interested in participating in the Microsoft Affiliate Network private release period, which is designed to scale up the size of the affiliate network as we roll out additional offers. Once approved, youll be one of just a few affiliates in the network and have a great opportunity to market these great offers.

Currently the Referral program only offers two products, Windows Live Toolbar and OneCare, but who knows what will be offered in the future.

Windows Live Toolbar is free and Microsoft will pay you $1 for every successful installation on a computer based in US. You can promote the Toolbar on your blog either through banner ads or regular text links.

In the case of Windows Live OneCare, you get paid $3 for every download completed on a computer that’s located either in Canada or US.

The program itself isn’t US only by the looks of it. From the FAQ:

What are the eligibility requirements to participate?
Ideal participants in the Microsoft Affiliate Network include well-known and respected sites, blogs, niche content sites, membership sites, comparison shopping sites and everything in between. Please see Terms for specific website requirements.

Will I have to pay taxes on my earnings?
US tax law requires that we obtain a valid taxpayer ID number (EIN or W9 form with social security number for sole proprietors) from every affiliate before payment can be issued. You will receive information on where to find the appropriate tax form after you are accepted into the program, and you will receive a 1099 for earnings as tax law requires. For international residents, please submit a W8 form.

Will this become a part of Microsoft adCenter's new self-serve advertising program for third parties, just as as Google’s Referral Program was a part of AdSense?

Live Search in Europe: Microsoft announces plans to open a Search Technology Center

Gregor — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:15:00 GMT

Microsoft today announced plans at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival to invest in Live Search in Europe. A new Search Technology Center will open sometime during the next twelve months in Europe. The location of the facility has yet to be determined. A smaller number of engineers is expected to be contributing off-site to the STC from multiple countries, possibly including, for example the UK, France and Germany.

While the press release quotes Kevin Johnson, president of the Platforms and Services Division, in saying that

"today Microsoft has 68 percent reach to Internet user throughout Europe"

it is clear that the move comes to disrupt Google's dominant position in the European search and advertisement market.

The center is modeled after the Search Technology Center that was opened in Beijing,China in October 2005. While working closely with the global Live Search organization the focus is on delivering locally relevant, more intelligent and powerful search experience - something that is still missing for European Live Search customers that currently only have access to the basic Live Search functionality. Many of the Live Search features that are available in the U.S. have yet to make their appearance in Europe - including the recently release Live Search cashback program or the Live Search Farecast functionality.

Get Paid For Streaming With Silverlight?

ScottIsAFool — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:56:00 GMT

Remy has just blogged on the Silverlight Streaming blog on dev.live that you will soon be able to put advertising into your Silverlight Streaming app. The pilot scheme is due to start soon this Spring.

So how will this work? The ads will be provided by the Microsoft AdCenter platform and deliver contextual ads based on the keywords associated to the Silverlight video and these ads will appear actually in the playback. To register your interest for this, head on over to http://advertising.microsoft.com/publisher/sls and provide the requested information.

Unfortunately, it is important to note that this is, as usual, only open to US participants, but as Remy is keen to highlight:

This is a real program, with revenues paid in US dollars, and it will include revenue sharing for the accounts participating in the trial.

So, if you are in the states and using SLS, good way to bring in some cash for doing nothing!

Thanks as usual to Angus for the tip.

Microsoft adCenter Analytics (Project Gatineau) releases Beta 2

Kip Kniskern — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 04:50:40 GMT

Microsoft's analytics piece of their adCenter product has just received an update, and a quick run-through shows some new features, significantly improved performance, and the end of the $5 sign-up fee (although I'm not finding a link to the free account setup as of yet, but here is the Project Gatineau sign up page). Amit Fulay, a Lead Program Manager on the adCenter team, posts some more information:

Some of the key Beta 2 features are:

Free analytics-only account. We listened to the customer feedback and have removed the $5 adCenter sign up fee.

New tool for auto-tagging your web site

Commerce ROI reports

3rd party paid search campaign import for Google and Yahoo! paid search campaigns

Campaign timeline report

Tree-map reports for Traffic and Inbound referrals

Age-Gender composite segment

Domain white-listing (only data from domains you specify are included in reports)

Visitor loyalty metrics (depth & length of visit, frequency, loyalty, new versus returning visitors)

We have a LiveSide account set up, here's one screenshot:

And in some related web analytics news, Bret Grinslade will be in a panel at Mix 08 talking about Silverlight and web analytics - "how to incorporate ... web analytics services into Silverlight applications and then take advantage of the separation between the design in XAML and code in JavaScript to do effective A/B testing." Only problem is that there are so many sessions worth attending, many at the same time. Mix 08 sessions are slated to be available 24 hours after they are presented, however.

adCenter Gatineau web analytics beta now available in other countries

Kip Kniskern — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 23:50:39 GMT

Gatineau, the code name for the web analytics beta run as a tab in Microsoft adCenter, will soon be available outside the US, in the UK, France, and Canada.

The service features fancy graphics, integrated demographics data for web visitors using Windows Live ID, integration with adCenter, and probably a lot more as the beta is still in the early stages of development.

You can sign up for the beta.

Wall Street Journal signs up with Microsoft for Contextual and Paid Search advertising

Kip Kniskern — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 01:45:00 GMT

Microsoft will become the exclusive third-party ad provider for the Wall Street Journal network of sites, including The Wall Street Journal Online, Barrons.com, MarketWatch.com, AllThingsD.com and others. From the press release:

“This deal is a significant win for Microsoft for two key reasons. First, it makes the extended Microsoft advertising network the premier destination for advertisers interested in reaching financially minded users, as it complements our offering in this vertical through MSN Money and other syndication partners,” said Brian McAndrews, senior vice president, Advertiser and Publisher Solutions at Microsoft. “Second, this deal is a strong indicator that we’re gaining significant traction with our advertising platform. The Wall Street Journal Digital Network is one of the largest financial services publishers in a very dynamic vertical segment, and we’re delighted to add it to our portfolio.”

In somewhat related news, Microsoft also recently announced a partnership with the Mayo Clinic to develop consumer health management tools, using the HealthVault platform. As much as we lamented Microsoft's old school ways of doing business, we expect to continue to see aggressive signings like this to move adCenter, Health Vault, and other Live offerings forward. While Microsoft may not shine at endearing the tech press to them, there's no doubt they are very good at behind the scenes negotiations.

adCenter Gatineau beta launches: Microsoft website analytics

Kip Kniskern — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 09:15:00 GMT

While not strictly a Windows Live product, website analysis is an important tool that has been missing from Microsoft's toolkit. That changed today, as Microsoft's new addition to its adCenter suite of advertiser and website owner tools, code named Gatineau, was released into beta. Ian Thomas has a lot more on his blog entry.

Gatineau is accessible as a tab on adCenter, which requires an adCenter account, which at this time requires a credit card and a one time $5 charge. Thomas calls this requirement "regrettable", and temporary.

More info on the adCenter blog

Sign up for the Gatineau beta (invites will be rolling out in the next days and weeks, so be patient if you've already signed up for the beta)

JiWire to provide advertisers for Microsoft municipal wifi

Chris — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 02:20:00 GMT

Last year Microsoft announced its intention to get into the municipal wifi market, which for those non-Americans is free public wifi for entire towns and cities. These networks are currently being built and tested by MetroFi in Portland and Oakland, and today Microsoft announced that it is teaming up with JiWire, a wifi advertising specialist, to monetize them.

JiWire's CEO Kevin McKenzie has been talking to the press and explained that the MSN advertisements will be 30-second long ultramercials, as well as the traditional banner advertising used by Google on its own municipal wifi networks. Amazingly the eCPM on wifi network ads is between $35-$100, a much higher rate than typical internet advertising. This high rate is needed though, as CNET explains there are some significant infrastructure costs involved in setting up these networks. On the other side of the ocean, central London now has a wifi network although it is not free to use. The key issue is scaling these free wifi networks into the major cities, both in the US and abroad.

With Google not yet having a clear lead in this area, this could potentially be a very lucrative business for Microsoft and AdCenter has an important role to play. Under the wifi agreements, Microsoft is also expected to provide homepage content, which could help driver users to existing MSN sites as well as Windows Live Search. Additionally there is also a monetization project called MSN Shadow that is operating in this area, potentially with some Windows Live Toolbar integration. Until these networks start being rolled out in other cities however, it seems to be a case of "watch this space".

(PS: Does anybody know what happened to the Windows Live Wifi suite?)

Ask.com Sponsored Listings now integrated into Microsoft adManager beta

Matthew — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:34:00 GMT

Office Live is increasing the reach of small businesses everywhere with the addition of Ask Sponsored Listings, part of the IAC Advertising Network. This is a huge deal for Office Live, which has had a bumpy past, and adManager, which is still in beta. Now not only would adManager customers reach their advertisements through MSN and Windows Live properties, but also Ask.com, with a myriad of wholly-owned search sites (mywebsearch.com, mysearch.com), proprietary content sites (myway.com, iwon.com, excite.com), and 90+ syndicated network partnerships like Evite, CNET, Citysearch, and Infospace to name a few. IAC boasts Ask Sponsored Listings on their web site.

Benefits

Tap into the 3rd largest search network

Access to campaign optimization experts

Boost clicks without impacting CPA metrics

Audience & Usage (based upon comScore MediaMetrix January 2007)

61.4 million monthly unique users
35% Reach
11.5% Share of Searches

This means that Google's AdSense is by no means the only fish in the sea, and Microsoft is extremely interested in capturing a large portion of the small business market to build it's search-based revenue. This is the first time in 5 years that 2 of the largest search engines have teamed up, and amazingly enough Microsoft didn't purchase a company to do it. Based upon the latest figures from comScore, this means the two combined will reach 18.2% of the search audience, over 1.5 billion search queries per month. I wonder if Microsoft is pursuing any other search engines, after all they already have a partnership with Yahoo! and their messenger service.

Microsoft is offering a $50 bonus for companies that sign-up for the service, after a $5 processing fee, and now until the end of the month, there is also a $10,000 sweepstakes. Sweepstakes seem to work well for Microsoft, just take a look at Live Search Club.

@Matthew

Live Search Product Manager interviews Blake Irving

Kip Kniskern — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 04:10:00 GMT

Farwan Thawar, a Product Manager for Live Search in Toronto, has posted a nice 3 part interview with Blake Irving, Corporate Vice President of Windows Live Platform.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

In the interview, Irving talks about the power of Microsoft's vast "audience" when it comes to monetizing services through advertising, demos some cool features of adCenter, notes that while it is an important component of life online, search only comprises 5% of page views. Blake and Farwan go on to talk more about search, Windows Live as a platform, and what Ray Ozzie means to Windows Live and to Microsoft.

It's nice to hear someone with a concise and positive message about what Windows Live is and where it's heading.

Good job, Farwan!

Microsoft to acquire digital ad agency aQuantive

Chris — Fri, 18 May 2007 20:23:00 GMT

Microsoft just announced they are to buy aQuantive, gaining "interactive agency Avenue A | Razorfish, digital marketing technology provider Atlas, as well as DRIVEpm, a performance media company. " The price is a hefty $6 billion, the largest acquisition in Microsoft's history, and double the price of the Google and DoubleClick deal at $3.1billion.

Press Release - Microsoft to Acquire aQuantive, Inc.

The purchase of aQuantive provides Microsoft with an end-to-end advertising platform, from the creation of ads through to the delivery. This will serve Windows Live, Office Live and Xbox Live, as well as 3rd party sites such as Facebook. The question is whether Microsoft will now venture into the Google AdSense arena and start offering ads for display other 3rd party sites.

Lots more talk on this going on around the web, here's a few links:

http://searchengineland.com/070518-082836.php
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=5083
http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/18/microsoft-pays-6-billion-for-aquantive/

Is it just me or is the last few months starting to look like a repeat of the last dot-com boom?

Live Search and Ad Platform announced

Kip Kniskern — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 12:16:00 GMT

Microsoft today announced the creation of a new group spun out of Windows Live, the Live Search and Ad Platform. Live Search (formerly Windows Live Search, formerly MSN Search) will join adCenter in a new group that will not report to Steven Sinofsky and Windows Live, but will be headed by Satya Nadella, and report directly to Kevin Johnson, the Platform and Systems division head.

The move further separates what has been a confusing and ill defined set of Windows Live services into three groups: MSN - for content; Windows Live - for services; and Live Search and Ads - for, well, search and ads. Whether or not this latest restructuring will help to define Windows Live or just add to the confusion remains to be seen.

Windows Live in the (Mercury) news

Kip Kniskern — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 14:05:34 GMT

The San Jose Mercury News on Sunday posted two interesting articles written by Elise Ackerman, one - Hooked on Google, replays some depressing numbers for Windows Live Search, offers up Google as the new Microsoft, as Microsoft was the new IBM, and offers some frank assessments of the (non) ease-of-use of Microsoft's adCenter.

In the other post, a short interview with Steve Berkowitz, Why Ask.com's CEO left to join Microsoft, Berkowitz talks about experience over technology, and how Microsoft has to change from looking inside out (developing technology and finding a place for it in the marketplace) to looking outside-in (offering user experiences, with the technology in the background).