Windows 8 Ads in Apps Launches! Monetization Now Available through the Microsoft Advertising SDK

Hey folks,

First I want to offer a big congratulations to all developers who have created Windows 8 Apps and participated in the launch of Windows 8.  A special shout out to those who downloaded the Microsoft Advertising SDK (www.windowsadvertising.com), and registered in pubCenter (pubCenter.microsoft.com).  With the launch of Windows 8, you now have the potential to reach consumers around the world!

While we have been testing the pipes through Release Preview, I want to share that ad-based monetization via the Microsoft Advertising SDK has officially begun for apps published in our “fully-supported” markets: US, UK, France, Germany, Canada, Spain, Italy, and Brazil.  In addition, monetization will begin soon in Australia and Japan. 

There are 26 additional “developer-only” markets where apps can be built and published in Windows Store to one of the full-supported markets listed above for ad-based monetization.  For example, developers in India (a “developer-only” market) can build an app and publish it in the UK (a “fully-supported” market) for ad-based monetization.  The developer-only markets are: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, New Zealand, Singapore, Greece, Ireland, Taiwan, Hungary, Israel, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Luxembourg and South Africa.

Please note that this is just the current state. We will continue to expand our markets – both converting developer markets to fully supported, adding new markets as fully-supported and developer-only markets over time.

Microsoft Advertising Ads in Apps offers three key benefits to developers:

1) A competitive monetization strategy, including a competitive rev share to developers.  Our monetization is supported by a global sales force with strong relationships with premium advertisers. 

2) Ease of use.  You can download and install our Ad SDK in minutes.

3) Innovative ad formats that keep users engaged and in the app, driving engagement and volume to support monetization.

One additional note: there has been some churn on the wires around SDK certification.  It’s important to remember that the MSA SDK is rated age 12+. Because of that, the MSA Creative Acceptance Policy has very strict guidelines for advertising directed toward children, in adherence to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).  In order to ensure FTC compliance with respect to advertising on Apps geared toward younger audiences, we will not serve ads that are not appropriate for users 12 and up.  If you are categorizing your application in the Microsoft App Store 3+ or 7+ age rating, you cannot use the MSA Ad SDK for monetization at this time.

Windows 8 Ads in Apps ushers in a new era of computing with tremendous opportunities for the developer community.  We look forward to building this ad ecosystem with you.

Cheers,

Ian