Microsoft muscles in on Google Ads

Microsoft is trialling a competitor to Google's context sensitive Adsense text-based advertising programme. 

Called Content Ads, the service promises advertisers the ability to target text-based adverts at specific content.

The service will initially launch on Microsoft's websites, such as MSN Money or MSN Real Estate, but could include external sites, making it a competitor to Adsense. 

Microsoft Content Ads is currently in beta and only available to invited parties.

An invitation email sent to blogger Jennifer Slegg stated: "Content Ads is Microsoft's next product that allows advertisers to place content-targeted, text-based advertisements primarily on Microsoft-owned properties including MSN Money, Real Estate, and many others within the MSN.com portal." 

Google signed an agreement with MySpace at the beginning of August to make Adsense the exclusive provider of text-based ads on the social networking site.