14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has started testing ads in the Microsoft Store, an idea that the company originally announced in May this year.
The change takes place with the debut of the most recent Windows 11 preview build for the Dev channel in the Windows Insider program, and Microsoft encourages developers to sign up for the waitlist and participate in the testing.
The ads work exactly as you’d expect them to work, and they will show up in search results, specifically to promote certain applications.
Microsoft explains that only developers that have already published applications in the Microsoft Store are allowed to participate in the program and run ad campaigns.
Currently just a limited test
“We are also excited to introduce Microsoft Store Ads, a new product designed to help developers grow their business by getting their apps or games in front of the right customers at the right time and to inspire Microsoft Store customers with great, engaging content. A developer of a music-making app, for example, will be able to create an ad campaign to get their app in front of an audience that likes music or likes to make music,” Microsoft said back in May when it announced the new program.
“In the coming months, developers will be able to create ad campaigns in the Microsoft Store using Microsoft Advertising. Only developers with published content on the Store will be able to run ad campaigns, which ensures ads are contextual for customers.”
At this point, it’s not yet known when users running the stable version of Windows 11 would start seeing ads in Microsoft Store, but for now, the company is just running the tests to make sure everything is working properly.
Of course, the program would be expanded with new slots for developers as Microsoft collects feedback on the introduction of ads.