Standard Ad

Creative Acceptance Policy

All creative must meet the requirements of the MSA Creative Acceptance Policy

Ad Specification Details

Ad Type / Ad SizeInitial SizeDownload File Size (GIF/JPG)Max Initial Download File SizeClick-Thru URL LimitAudio Specifications/ LimitAnimation/ Looping LimitAlt Text Limit
Banner 120x240120W X 240H30k 30k 450 charAllowed on user click only; Duration: 15 secAllowed ; Duration: 15 sec65 char
Banner 234x60234W X 60H30k 30k 450 charAllowed on user click only; Duration: 15 secAllowed ; Duration: 15 sec65 char
Banner 300x40300W X 40H15k 15k 450 charAllowed on user click only; Duration: 7 secAllowed ; Duration: 7 sec65 char
Banner 300x60300W X 60H30k 30k 450 charAllowed on user click only; Duration: 15 secAllowed ; Duration: 15 sec65 char
Banner 468x60468W X 60H40k 40k 450 charAllowed on user click only; Duration: 15 secAllowed ; Duration: 15 sec65 char
Banner 728x90728W X 90H40k 40k 450 charAllowed on user click only; Duration: 15 secAllowed ; Duration: 15 sec65 char
Button 88x3188W X 31H3k 0k 450 charNot AllowedNot Allowed65 char
Button 100x50100W X 50H10k 10k 450 charNot AllowedAllowed ; Duration: 15 sec65 char
Button 120x30120W X 30H10k 10k 450 charAllowed on user click only; Duration: 15 secAllowed ; Duration: 15 sec65 char
Button 120x60120W X 60H20k 20k 450 charAllowed on user click only; Duration: 15 secAllowed ; Duration: 15 sec65 char
Button 120x90120W X 90H20k 20k 450 charAllowed on user click only; Duration: 15 secAllowed ; Duration: 15 sec65 char
Button 140x140140W X 140H15k 0k 255 charNot AllowedNot Allowed65 char
Rectangle 180x150180W X 150H40k 40k 450 charAllowed on user click only; Duration: 15 secAllowed ; Duration: 15 sec65 char
Rectangle 300x250300W X 250H40k 40k 450 charAllowed on user click only; Duration: 15 secAllowed ; Duration: 15 sec65 char
Skyscraper 120x600120W X 600H40k 40k 450 charAllowed on user click only; Duration: 15 secAllowed ; Duration: 15 sec65 char
Skyscraper 160x600160W X 600H40k 40k 450 charAllowed on user click only; Duration: 15 secAllowed ; Duration: 15 sec65 char
Skyscraper 300x600300W X 600H40k 40k 450 charAllowed on user click only; Duration: 15 secAllowed ; Duration: 15 sec65 char

Note(s):

  • Secondary “polite” download and Streaming or progressively downloaded video available only via Microsoft rich media and approved 3rd party rich media vendors.
  • Important: – Please note that the above specification is not relevant for the MSN homepage. Please refer to the "Homepage Standard Ad"

    • Accepted File Types

  • DHTML
  • Flash
  • GIF
  • HTML
  • Javascript/jscript
  • JPEG

    • Ad Specifications

    • Audio must be user click-initiated and never automatic.
    • Audio insertion into Flash file may begin no earlier than the second frame.
    • If audio is used, creative must include an On/Off switch for users.
    • All DHTML creative submissions must have an accompanying default graphic that is

        shown to users who do not have IE 4.0 or higher

    • Animation is limited to first 15 seconds, looping is unlimited within 15 seconds. Use animation carefully - Keep animation smooth and fluid, using slow motion and gentle fades. Fast and abrupt motion is highly irritating. Avoid experiences that 'break through' the page or abuse the content. 
    • Flash files require an FSCommand to be embedded in the file. For detailed Flash guidelines, visit advertising.microsoft.com.
    • Creative must feature a 1 pixel border (gray [#666666] or black recommended, though any color that clearly distinguishes the ad from the content may be used).
    • Click destination URL must open a into new browser.

    Certified Rich Media Vendors

    N/A. Available via rich media spec.

    Data Reported

    Ad requests and click-through. Microsoft cannot guarantee 3rd party served creative reporting within the Microsoft reporting system.

    Data Collection

    • Microsoft permits advertisers to collect user-provided personal information (for example, through web forms embedded in ads).
    • Advertisers may be required to modify ad units or provided additional disclosure in order to be acceptable for advertising on Microsoft sites.
    • Advertisers wishing to collect personal information  within advertisements (according to specifications above) must follow these guidelines:
      • Clearly identify organization 
      • Provide link to privacy policy (usually adjacent to the web form’s “submit” button)
      • Identify purpose for collecting information

    Ad Submission Guidelines

    All creative must meet the MSA Ad Submission Guidelines