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 SizeFloat Creative Size MaxFloat Stage Size MaxMax Float DurationMax Weight Secondary (Polite) DownloadMax Weight Progressive Download (Video/ Streaming Only)Audio Specifications/ LimitAnimation/ Looping LimitAlt Text Limit
Rectangle 300x250300W X 250H40k 40k 200W X 200H500W X 500H8 sec100k 2.2mb Allowed on user click only; Duration: 30 secAllowed ; Duration: 15 sec, Video Duration: 30 sec65 char

The User Experience

Rectangle with floating component rich media ads are offered to Microsoft’s advertisers via our partnership with leading rich media providers (see list below). They enable advertisers to leverage the impact of floating type creatives coupled with the engagement and interactivity of a standard in-page or expanding rich media unit. These ad units are available in limited display ad placements and offer the full range of creative executions – from eye-popping animation, to video, dynamic data, interactive games and more!

Ad Specifications

The above represent Microsoft general specification parameters which submitted third party served rich media must conform to.  Specific creative build specifications must be provided by your third party rich media vendor.

 

 

Float Details

  1. The float component of the creative must be frequency capped to 1 Per User, Per Day (24-hour period).  Subsequent delivery of the creative to that user will feature only the initial creative.
    1. The initial portion of the creative may feature the range of rich media functionality featured by our providers, including video and user-initiated expansion. Please refer to the in-page or expanding rich media specifications for guidelines and details.
  2. Maximum size of the floating creative (non-transparent object layer) as stated above: This refers to the viewable flash creative object
    1. Object may not take the shape of an exact square or rectangle;
    2. Object must feature a close button (16pt font: “Close X”) that closes the float with a user’s click.
  3. Maximum size of the floating stage area (transparent layer) as stated above. This refers to the allowable area in which the viewable floating creative may ‘travel’.  For example, for a 300x250, the end user will see a maximum 200x200 creative which may float (move around) within a 500x500 stage area. Fig. 1 highlights a stage layer area example.
  4. Floating component must feature a close button (16pt font: “Close X”) that closes the float with a user’s click.


    Fig 1

Other Specifications

  • 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).

Audio

  1. Audio may not be used within the float component. Off by default.
  2. Available on user click only.
  3. Audio mute button control required.

 

Video

  1. Host-initiated video is limited to usage in the 300x250 portion of the experience.
  2. Video duration: 30 seconds max.  Replay allowed with user initiation.
  3. Stop and Play button controls required.
  4. Companion audio may be included with video (see audio specs above).


Animation

  1. Animation is limited to 15 seconds maximum duration.
  2. Unlimited looping within 15 seconds maximum duration.

Certified Rich Media Vendors

  1. Atlas Rich Media
  2. DoubleClick(Includes Motif, Tangozebra and Klipmart brands)
  3. Eyeblaster
  4. Eyewonder
  5. PointRoll
  6. Flashtalking
  7. Unicast
  8. Interpolls
  9. United Virtualities
  10. Admotion
  11. ePlanning

Data Reported

Microsoft

    • Ad impressions
    • Click Tracking for the following vendors:
        • Atlas Rich Media (Rich Media Ads Only)
        • Eyeblaster
        • Tangozebra
        • Eyewonder
        • United Virtualities
        • Admotion
        • Unicast
        • Flashtalking

     

3rd Party Partner

    • 3rd party partners will typically provide impressions and click-through data, as well as enhanced interaction metrics. Please consult your rich media partner of choice for more details.

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