Microsoft Begins Worldwide Live Ad Tests
Microsoft announced that it will be engaging in world-wide tests of its new ad offerings on Office Live, Windows Live, Mail, and MSN Spaces.
The tests include participants from some very large and well-known companies, such as Coca-Cola Brazil, JCPenney, Monster, and others.
Given the global nature of the effort and the international standing of the participants it’s more than obvious to say this is a big event. Microsoft has been saying for some time that it has serious intentions of competing with Google in this arena and if this isn’t proof, nothing is.
Since MSN alone attracts more than 465 million unique visitors per month, the impact of new advertising methods and channels on Live, etc can hardly be overstated. Microsoft has a history of starting slow, but finishing big.
And for affiliate marketers the news can hardly be bad. Giving Google real competition will do for this space what Open Source is doing in Microsoft’s own back yard: Keep all of them on their toes to provide the best possible product and service to everyone.