I just received word that Microsoft adCenter will be opting-in more of their advertisers into the adCenter content network called Content Ads. Advertisers who are selected will be automatically included and be billed for clicks on ads within Microsoft’s contextual program. This is set to go live on June 28th.

If you do not want this, please use this form to inform Microsoft that you want to opt-out. You have until June 26th to place your request. Otherwise, you have several other options:

• Hybrid: Run your ads on Live Search and content pages using “hybrid” ad groups.
• Content-only and search-only ad groups: With this option, you can create a unique destination URL or have content-specific ad creative.
• Separate pricing for content clicks: Content Ads uses the same bid structure as your Search Ads. However, you also have the choice of setting different bid prices for content clicks by using the Separate Bid Pricing function.

For more details on Content Ads see here.

Postscript: The adCenter Blog announced that the opt-in has been delayed to “a later date.” Plus, reporting features may be delayed temporarily.

Related Topics: Microsoft: adCenter Content Ads | Search Ads: Contextual

About The Author: Barry Schwartz is Search Engine Land's News Editor and owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics. Barry's personal blog is named Cartoon Barry and he can be followed on Twitter here. For more background information on Barry, see his full bio over here. See more articles by Barry Schwartz