Microsoft's move from software giants to media giants is almost complete. Microsoft's press release quotes CEO Steve Ballmer as saying that they are well underway the move to "...evolve Microsoft from a software company into the world's largest, most attractive provider of online media through MSN, Windows Live(TM) and AdCenter."
As reported previously in the bigmouthmedia newsletter, Microsoft Live was having many teething problems in its early stages. It also seems that Microsoft AdCenter may also have some early problems to get over before it sees itself able to take on Google's AdWords. One major problem to face is the fact that AdCenter is not compatible with Firefox, as well as the fact that the AdCenter is not fully live internationally.
Another factor for Microsoft to overcome is the fact MSN search has little traffic compared to Google or Yahoo!. But the new AdCenter will have more controls than other top PPC providers. While their service is new Microsoft PPC traffic should be cheaper than buying similar traffic from Yahoo! or Google. This will be a big factor in tempting advertisers to use Microsoft's new service, and sample the new features Microsoft has to offer.
Microsoft AdCenter is taking aim at Google's market and at the same time Yahoo! have announced their new technology for their web advertising. As Yahoo! catches up with Google from a technology standpoint and Microsoft moves its technology into the media realm, the pressure is on Google not to let up on their forward looking plan.
No matter whom your favourite in search is, these advances can only be seen as a good thing for users.
