MSN Oveture Relationship

Top spots going to non bidders

[Jack_Frost]

When MSN launched their new search engine, did they also revise their Overture relationship. Appears as if ebay, walmart, the thomas register and other big advertisers are getting the number one sponsor match even though they are not bidding in Overture.

Is this new? Any ideas on what this holds for the future?

I have always theorized that MSN would buy FindWhat or one of the second tier PPC systems. Of course, I also thought I read that they recently signed through 2006 to stay with OT.

[TomWaits]

I didn't and don't understand why MSFT didn't buy FWHT like three years ago.

[makemetop]

The top spots are up for grabs if you contact MSN US directly. They sell them on a PPC deal if your monthly budget is big enough! Check out their site - the information is on there if you dig.

[Jack_Frost]

Thanks MMT,

Here is what I found. It seems like they used to list them in a different looking way. If memory serves The Thomas Register used to have a very distinct listing with their logo adn everything (not a banner or keyword listing) at the top of a lot of industrial search phrases. It now actually appears along with the Overture sponsored ads.

Anyway, I dug and here is what I found:

"MSN also offers keyword-targeting search results in the "Sponsored Sites" section of the search results page at the top and bottom of the page. These are link placements that are limited to three paid clients per keyword and are available to advertisers with a minimum annual spend of $75,000. Please visit the Featured Sites section for more information."

I guess for us is that now we need to be in the top 2 if we don't want to get moved to the side boxes where before these ads were separate.