Microsoft opens responsive search ads beta to all advertisers

All advertisers can now start testing responsive search ads in their Microsoft Advertising accounts. With responsive search ads (RSAs), first introduced by Google last year, the ad systems automatically serve up a combination of headlines and descriptions provided by the advertiser.

What are RSAs? Advertisers can input up to 15 headlines and four description lines in each ad via the web interface, Editor, the bulk API, or you can import existing RSAs from your Google Ads campaigns. The ads are served dynamically in combinations of up to three titles and two descriptions.

An ad strength gauge appears in the RSA editing window as a rough indicator of RSA performance.

Microsoft suggests inputting at least 8 to 10 headlines that do not contain similar phrases and at least two descriptions that are distinct from each other with clear calls to action. Because the combinations can serve in any order, you’ll want to be sure your headlines and descriptions work together in various orders.

Pin for priority. You may pin headlines and descriptions that you want to show in the top positions for some control over how your ads display. Microsoft recommends pinning positions 1 and 2 for headlines and position 1 for descriptions if you’re concerned about order.

Performance and reporting. “The best performing ad combinations are automatically identified and reported to you, while the underperforming ads aren’t shown again,” Microsoft Advertising said in the announcement Friday.

Microsoft says you should regularly review RSA performance results in the combination report page.

Why we should care. With Google and now Microsoft enabling, and promoting RSAs, expect the machine-learning powered format to eventually become the standard. RSAs are the direction that text ads and ad testing will continue heading — with the ad systems dynamically determining creatives at the time of auction and adjusting based on historical performance.

Related reading.

• Tips on testing responsive search ads
• Ad testing in a multi-format world of responsive search ads, three headlines and more
• Where Google got more inventory to show Responsive Search Ads ads may surprise you

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About The Author

Ginny Marvin

Ginny Marvin was Third Door Media’s former Editor-in-Chief (October 2018 to December 2020), running the day to day editorial operations across all publications and overseeing paid media coverage. Ginny Marvin writes about paid digital advertising and analytics news and trends for Search Engine Land, Marketing Land and MarTech Today. With more than 15 years of marketing experience, Ginny has held both in-house and agency management positions. She can be found on Twitter as @ginnymarvin.