Since when did Microsoft start using textads at the top of the MSN Portal?

December 1, 2001 6:35 PM

Since when did Microsoft start using textads at the top of the MSN Portal? Granted, I don't visit MSN much, but weren't there banner ads up there in the not too distant past? Did they take a hint from MetaFilter and PyrAds?
posted by tomorama to general weblog-related at 6:35 PM (3 comments total)

I would suggest Google's had a stronger influence in the popularity of text ads. Not to take anything away from MeFi or Pyra's influence, but Google is slightly more popular. :-)
posted by cCranium at 9:29 PM on December 1, 2001

Yes, but Google's ads are targeted, making them that much more effective than MeFi, Pyra, or MS. Of course, MeFi ads are cool because we're a community, and whoring incestuously.

I don't care if I see an ad for socks at MSN, unless I just happen to be looking for them. If I'm searching Google for socks, however, the ads have a chance up popping up and earning a sale. Why I'd search Google for socks is left as an exercise for the reader.
posted by gleemax at 10:28 PM on December 1, 2001

Y'know, I didn't even think of that. I've never paid any attention to the ads on Google; I forget they're even there.
posted by tomorama at 10:43 PM on December 1, 2001