Microsoft testing self-serve Google AdSense rival
Published: 18 Jul 2008 08:45 BST
Microsoft is ready to start expanding its AdCenter engine to allow at least some publishers to include contextual advertising from Microsoft on their site.
According to a letter detailing the program and published on TechCrunch, Microsoft is doing a pilot program that allows smaller publishers to use contextual advertising from Microsoft, putting it potentially in competition with Google's AdSense and Yahoo's publisher network.
In a statement provided to ZDNet.co.uk's sister site CNET News.com on Thursday, Microsoft confirmed the trial.
"Microsoft's self-serve advertising offering for publishers is still under development and is currently in a private pilot phase, being tested by select publishers who met the participation requirements," Microsoft said. "The private pilot phase began earlier this year."
ZDNet.co.uk blogs
AT&T: Dell to release smartphone
Dell is set to launch a smartphone, AT&T chief executive Ralph de la Vega has revealed at Mobile World Congress...
Microsoft pointed publishers interested in the pilot to sign up for the trial.
"It's our intention to continue to expand our high-quality network and relevant audience gradually and intelligently over time for our advertisers," Microsoft said. "We will evaluate customer interest and product performance as we move through the private pilot, but we have no specific launch plans to announce at this time."
Microsoft has already struck deals with larger publishers to use its contextual advertising, most recently with Rodale.
Credit: Microsoft testing self-serve AdSense rival from CNET News.com
Did you find this article useful?
Digg
Slashdot
Del.ici.ous
Stumble
Reddit
