Content categories
Content categories are metadata attached to a slice of inventory that describe the contents of that inventory. This makes it easier for buyers to research and to buy. Content categories can also make selling to your potential customers easier as they can buy across a whole category instead of targeting individual chunks of it.
There are two types of content categories:
Universal: These categories are maintained by Microsoft Advertising.
Custom: Sellers have the ability to define their own categories and apply them to slices of their own inventory.
Tip
We are splitting our "Automotive and Vehicles" category into sub-categories for dealerships, manufacturers, service, and more. For more information, see Automotive Content Categories.
Apply categories to your inventory
You can apply a number of categories to each of your sites and placements at the Network, Site, and Placement levels. For instructions, see Create a Placement.
Expose categories for targeting by buyers
To expose content categories for targeting by buyers, see the sections on targeting access for content categories on the Partner Center Screen - Seller View and Partner Controls page.
Report on volume by category
You can report on inventory volumes broken down by universal content category using the Universal Content Categories Report.
Note
There is currently no way to report on inventory volumes broken down by custom categories.
Target categories with your campaigns
Here are the campaign targeting rules as applied to content categories:
- When you target more than one category, the categories have an OR relationship. This means that if a slice of inventory is in either category, it will match your campaign's targeting.
- Content categories have an AND relationship with other inventory targeting options. For example, if you are targeting a universal content category of News coming from the Microsoft inventory source, your campaign will only bid on placements coming from Microsoft that have been categorized as News. This is an example of a set of targeting parameters that are unlikely to match. Be careful when you set up campaign targeting parameters with AND relationships since it's possible to seriously reduce your campaign's reach (or even keep from serving altogether).
For more details, see Content Category Targeting.
Universal content categories list
Below is a list of universal content categories and subcategories we maintain. The most up-to-date list will always be available in the Campaign Manager under the Inventory tab. For more information, see Create a Campaign.
| Top-level category | Second-level category |
|---|---|
| Arts & Entertainment | Entertainment Industry, Offbeat, Fun & Trivia, Comics & Animation, Music, Visual Art & Design, Celebrity News, Movies, TV & Video, Humor, Radio, Nightlife Events, Performing Arts |
| Autos & Vehicles | Boats & Watercraft, Locomotives and Trains, Hybrid & Alternative Vehicles, Trucks & SUVs, Bicycles, Automotive Technology, Performance Vehicles, Scooters & Mopeds, Vehicle Parts & Accessories, Commercial Vehicles, Personal Aircraft, Vehicle Maintenance, Classic Vehicles, Off-Road Vehicles, Concept Vehicles, Campers & RVs, Motorcycles, Vehicle Brands |
| Beauty & Personal Care | Skin Care, Weight Loss, Cosmetology, Spas & Beauty Services, Cosmetic Procedures, Hair Care, Body Art & Tattoos, Fitness, Beauty Pageants, Fashion & Style |
| Books & Literature | Magazines, Classic Literature, Fan Fiction, E-Books, Writers Resources, Children's Literature, Poetry, Book Retailers |
| Business & Industry | Jobs, Agriculture & Forestry, Small Business, Directories, International Business, Aerospace & Defense, Retail Trade, Business Services, Opportunities, Advertising & Marketing, Professional & Trade Associations, Business Operations, Hospitality Industry, Printing & Publishing, Business Education, Energy & Utilities, Pharmaceuticals & Biotech, Automotive Industry, Transportation & Logistics, Intellectual Property |
| Computers & Electronics | Networking, Computer Security, Hardware, Cell Phones, PDAs, Home Theater, TV, Audio Players and Systems, Game Systems, Software, Consumer Electronics, Cameras and Camcorders, Enterprise Technology, Programming, Electronics & Electrical |
| Education | Childhood Education, Instructional Technology, Continuing Education, College and University |
| Finance | Credit & Lending, Investing, Banking, Insurance, Accounting & Auditing, Grants & Financial Assistance, Taxes, Financial Planning, Retirement & Pension, Currencies & Foreign Exchange, Mortgages and Loans |
| Food & Drink | Cooking & Recipes, Candy & Sweets, Vegetarian, Vegan, Alcoholic Beverages, Restaurants, Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Grocery & Food Retailers |
| Games | Arcade & Coin-Op Games, Gambling, Table Games, Computer & Video Games, Cheats & Walkthroughs, Roleplaying Games, Children's Games & Activities, Puzzles & Brainteasers, Card Games, Party Games, Board Games, Online Games |
| Health | Aging & Geriatrics, Reproductive Health, Medical Devices & Equipment, Nursing, Public Health, Health Foundations & Medical Research, Mental Health, Pharmacy, Health Education & Medical Training, Women's Health, Men's Health, Pediatrics, Health Conditions, Vision Care, Medical Literature & Resources, Oral & Dental Care, Alternative & Natural Medicine, Substance Abuse, Medical Facilities & Services, Nutrition |
| Home & Garden | Home Furnishings, Yard & Patio, Home Appliances, Swimming Pools & Spas, Gardening & Landscaping, Pest Control, Domestic Services, Kitchen & Dining, Bed & Bath, Home Improvement |
| Internet & Telecom | Service Providers, Web Design, Search Engines, Web Portals, Mobile & Wireless, Web Apps & Online Tools, Email & Messaging, VOIP & Internet Telephony, Culture, Teleconferencing |
| Law & Government | Military, Legal, Social Services, Public Safety |
| Lifestyles | Seniors & Retirement, Ethnic & Identity Groups, Religion & Belief, Women's Interests, Disabled & Special Needs, Men's Interests, Subcultures & Niche Interests, Kids & Teens, Social Sciences, Genealogy, Social Issues & Advocacy, Family & Relationships |
| News | World News, Local News, Health News, Weather, Business News, Technology News, Broadcast & Network News, Sports News, Politics, Journalism & News Industry |
| Online Communities | Online Goodies, Forum & Chat Providers, File Sharing & Hosting, Virtual Worlds, Dating & Personals, Social Networks, Blogging Resources & Services, Photo & Video Sharing, Online Journals & Personal Sites |
| Pets & Animals | Animal Products & Services, Wildlife, Pets |
| Real Estate | Property Development, Timeshares & Vacation Properties, Commercial & Investment Real Estate, Real Estate Listings, Apartments & Residential Rentals, Real Estate Agencies, Property Management, Property Inspections & Appraisals |
| Recreation | Crafts, Special Occasions, Clubs & Organizations, Recreational Aviation, Radio Control & Modeling, Paintball, Outdoors, Water Activities |
| Reference & Language | General Reference, Technical Reference, Libraries & Museums, Language Resources, Humanities, Geographic Reference |
| Science | Scientific Institutions, Earth Sciences, Physics, Computer Science, Medical Science, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biological Sciences, Engineering & Technology, Space Science, Astronomy, Ecology & Environment |
| Shopping | Free Stuff, Auctions, Retail Stores, Gifts & Special Event Items, Wholesalers & Liquidators, Footwear, Apparel, Office Supplies, Customer Services, Car Shopping, Swap Meets & Outdoor Markets, Antiques & Collectibles, Music, Books, Videos, Games, Coupons & Discount Offers, Toys, Shopping Portals & Search Engines, Accessories, Home and Garden, Consumer Affairs & Product Reviews, Tobacco Products, Photo & Video Services, Health and Beauty, Classifieds, Sporting Goods, Luxury Goods |
| Sports | College, Table Sports, Football, Olympics, Boxing, Strength Sports, Extreme Sports, Wrestling, Motor Sports, Bowling, Soccer, Equestrian, Winter Sports, Martial Arts, Boating, Racquet Sports, Cycling, Weight Lifting, Hockey, Basketball, Precision Sports, Cricket, Water Sports, Golf, Baseball, Outdoors |
| Travel | Travel Guides & Travelogues, Air Travel, Hotels & Accommodations, Travel Agencies & Services, Cruises & Charters, Tourist Destinations, Car Rental & Taxi Services, Transportation, Bus & Rail, Museums and Galleries, Amusement and Theme Parks, Luggage & Travel Accessories |
| World Localities | Middle East, Latin America, Europe, Polar Regions, Asia, Oceania, Africa, North America |