Microsoft Live Search Maps add 3 ad programs

Did you know that local search ads can be placed within Microsoft’s Live Search Maps? Two ad programs currently exist and one is in development, according to a recent post on the Virtual Earth blog.

by Helen Leggatt

Chris Pendleton, Virtual Earth Tech Evangelist from Microsoft Live Search, recently wrote on his blog about a few ad programs being offered via Live Search Maps. The sorts of programs on offer aren’t new, Google having implemented similar programs two years ago.

The simplest of listings, “sponsored listings” are driven by YellowPages.com’s ad platform so, once ads are added to their platform they will appear as text-based ads on Live Search Maps.

“Highlighted listings”, which may only be obtained by going via Virtual Earth, enables advertisers to display their logo not only in the search results bar but on the map and within an enhanced roller.

Another way to get branding onto Microsoft Live Search Map results is to use the “brand finder” option which will display logos when generic searches, such as “gas stations in Florida” are made. Pendleton notes on his blog that "this is something we're still tinkering around with, but haven't launched any kind of full scale business model around".