ads-microsoft

SKILL.md

Microsoft Ads Deep Analysis

Process

Collect Microsoft Ads data (account export, UET tag status, import results)

Read ads/references/microsoft-audit.md for full 24-check audit

Read ads/references/benchmarks.md for Microsoft-specific benchmarks

Read ads/references/scoring-system.md for weighted scoring

Evaluate all applicable checks as PASS, WARNING, or FAIL

Calculate Microsoft Ads Health Score (0-100)

Generate findings report with action plan

What to Analyze

Technical Setup (25% weight)

UET tag installed and firing on all pages (MS01)

Enhanced conversions enabled (MS02)

Google Ads import validated: URLs, extensions, bids, goals (MS03)

Syndication & Bidding (20% weight)

Search partner network reviewed, low-performers excluded (MS04)

Audience Network enabled only if testing intentionally (MS05)

Bid targets 20-35% lower than Google (CPC advantage) (MS06)

PMax: 300 campaigns/account (vs 100 Google), LinkedIn profile data available, no video support

Target New Customers enabled for PMax, Beta 2026 (MS07)

Campaign Structure (20% weight)

Campaign structure mirrors Google or follows best practices (MS08)

Budget proportional to Bing volume: typically 20-30% of Google (MS09)

LinkedIn profile targeting for B2B (unique advantage) (MS10)

Creative & Extensions (20% weight)

RSA: ≥8 headlines, ≥3 descriptions (MS11)

Multimedia Ads tested (unique rich format) (MS12)

Ad copy optimized for Bing demographics (MS13)

Action Extension utilized (unique to Microsoft) (MS19)

Filter Link Extension tested (MS20)

Settings & Performance (15% weight)

Copilot chat placement enabled for PMax: 73% CTR lift + 16% CVR lift vs traditional search (Microsoft Advertising, Aug 2025) (MS14)

Conversion goals configured natively, not relying on imported (MS15)

CPC 20-40% lower than Google for same keywords (MS16)

CVR comparable to Google, not >50% lower (MS17)

Impression share tracked for brand and top terms (MS18)

Google Import Validation

Most Microsoft Ads accounts start as Google Ads imports. Critical validation:

What Transfers Correctly

Campaign structure and ad groups

Keywords and match types

RSA headlines and descriptions

Basic bid strategies

What Needs Manual Review

URLs: verify all landing page URLs are correct post-import

Extensions: not all Google extensions have Microsoft equivalents

Bid amounts: should be 20-35% lower (don't import Google bids as-is)

Conversion goals: re-create natively for better tracking

Audiences: import may miss segments, verify all are present

Negative keywords: verify shared negative lists transferred

Import Schedule

Auto-import: useful but review changes monthly

Warning: Scheduled imports can re-enable paused campaigns. Deactivate scheduled imports after initial setup.

Manual import: more control, recommended for large accounts

Never import without post-import audit

Copilot Integration

Microsoft's AI assistant creates unique ad opportunities:

Copilot Chat Ads

Available in Performance Max campaigns

73% CTR lift + 16% CVR lift vs traditional search (Microsoft study, Nov 2024–May 2025 data; Microsoft Advertising blog, Aug 2025)

Lift is from audience selection (Copilot users are mid-purchase research), not Copilot-rewritten ad creative

Copilot Checkout launched Jan 2026 (in-chat purchase)

Natural language ad delivery (conversational context)

Copilot ads show beneath AI responses with Sponsored labels

How to Evaluate

Is Copilot placement enabled? (If not, HIGH priority for PMax)

What % of impressions/clicks come from Copilot?

CTR/CVR comparison: Copilot vs traditional placements

Ad copy quality: does it read well in conversational context?

Microsoft-Unique Features

These features are exclusive to Microsoft Ads; evaluate adoption:

Feature
Description
Priority

CTV Ads
Netflix, Max, Hulu, Roku, discovery+. 30-second non-skippable.
Medium

Multimedia Ads
Image-rich search ads with visual elements
Medium

Action Extension
CTA button directly in search ad
Medium

Filter Link Extension
Filterable category links in ad
Low

LinkedIn Profile Targeting
Target by company, industry, job function
High (B2B)

Copilot Chat Placement
Ads within Copilot conversations
High

Auto-generated RSA
Enabled by default Jan 2026, 5% CTR increase
Medium

9:16 Vertical Video
Vertical video ads (Apr 2025), 90-second max duration
Medium

Bing Demographic Context

Microsoft Ads reach a distinct audience:

Older demographic (35-65+ over-indexed)

Higher household income (top 25% income brackets)

Desktop-heavy (Windows default browser = Edge = Bing)

Enterprise/corporate users (Office 365 integration)

Ad copy optimization for this audience:

Professional tone, less casual than Google/Meta

Emphasize quality, reliability, premium positioning

Desktop-optimized landing pages matter more

B2B messaging resonates strongly

Key Thresholds

Metric
Pass
Warning
Fail

CTR (Search)
≥2.83%
1.5-2.83%
<1.5%

CPC (Search)
≤$1.55
$1.55-2.50
>$2.50

CPC vs Google
20-40% lower
10-20% lower
Same or higher

CVR vs Google
Within 20%
20-50% lower
>50% lower

Impression share (brand)
≥80%
60-80%
<60%

Output

Microsoft Ads Health Score

Microsoft Ads Health Score: XX/100 (Grade: X)

Technical Setup:   XX/100  ████████░░  (25%)
Syndication:       XX/100  ██████████  (20%)
Structure:         XX/100  ███████░░░  (20%)
Creative:          XX/100  █████░░░░░  (20%)
Settings:          XX/100  ████████░░  (15%)

Deliverables

MICROSOFT-ADS-REPORT.md: Full 24-check findings with pass/warning/fail

Google import validation results

Copilot integration readiness assessment

Cost advantage analysis (CPC savings vs Google)

Microsoft-unique feature adoption checklist

Quick Wins sorted by impact