Hundreds of creators have seen an extra 30% income boost just by getting their videos onto MSN – a massive video distribution platform that places content across Microsoft’s ecosystem, including Bing, Microsoft Edge, Windows news feeds, the MSN app, and Copilot Discover.
But how do they do it? How does MSN pay creators, and how are those earnings calculated?
Let’s break it down and figure it out.
How Is Video Monetization Calculated?
At a high level, MSN’s video monetization is based on a market-specific revenue model, where the actual earnings depend on factors such as:
- Video views
- User engagement
- and regional market dynamics.
Each video’s performance is evaluated through a combination of ad impressions across various formats, including pre-roll ads that play before videos.
It’s normal for major platforms, including MSN, to vary when and how ads appear. Ad impressions depend on factors like audience behavior and overall advertising demand across markets, so earnings are shaped by more than just raw view counts.
Factors Affecting Revenue
Before we dive into the details, let’s answer the big question: How do you start monetizing on MSN? The answer is easy: from day one. No thresholds like YouTube.
Now, let’s take a look at the main factors that drive revenue on MSN:
- Ad Impressions → The revenue from ads shown on the platform, including display ads and video ads, is directly tied to the number of impressions those ads receive.
- Engagement → The likelihood of a video triggering pre-roll ads is linked to user engagement. Videos that keep users engaged for longer durations are more likely to be paired with ads.
- Seasonality & Market Trends → Revenue can fluctuate depending on the season and market conditions, as factors like economic slowdowns or changes in demand for certain content types may influence the overall revenue pool.
MSN uses a standard advertising-based revenue model, where creator earnings are influenced by factors such as audience reach, engagement, and overall ad demand across different markets.
MSN RPMs by Content Type
Each content category on MSN generates different RPMs based on user engagement and the market dynamics for that specific vertical. Some categories, such as DIY, can reach $5–$6 RPM in strong months, according to our internal analytics.
Others, such as food, education, or gaming, typically demonstrate more modest but stable RPM performance ($1–$3).
Even with these variations, MSN distribution still acts as a second paycheck. No need for new videos. The same content can bring in additional revenue.
If your content is engaging on YouTube, it will work on MSN too. The more your audience interacts with your videos, the more likely they are to trigger ads, boosting your RPMs and overall revenue.
Cooking Channel Case: How MSN Increased Revenue by 3x
Our cooking channel partner had millions of views on YouTube, but their revenue wasn’t keeping up with the numbers. That's when they decided to distribute their content to MSN.
The Results:
- Initial Revenue on YouTube: $400/month
- Revenue after MSN Distribution: $1,300/month (3x increase)
Here's how the numbers add up:
- MSN RPMs: For food content, MSN's RPM rate was higher than YouTube's, driving more income per view.
- Ad Impressions: The same videos, now exposed to MSN's massive audience (~700M monthly users), generated more ad impressions.
- Engagement: MSN’s built-in placement across Bing, Edge, and Windows news feeds gave their content immediate exposure with less competition.
In short, by distributing their existing content to MSN, our partner unlocked a new revenue stream with no extra work.
Want to replicate this success?
Let us get your videos on MSN.
Can You Get on MSN on Your Own?
Not yet. MSN distribution is invite-only and works exclusively through official publishing partners.
That’s where AIR Media-Tech can help.
As one of the first official MSN partners, AIR handles the entire process end-to-end:
- checking your channel for MSN fit
- approving and preparing content
- managing rights and compliance
- distributing your videos across Microsoft’s ecosystem
- supporting you with a dedicated team
- and paying you out smoothly via MilX in 40+ currencies
All while you keep full ownership of your content and simply keep creating.
Same videos. Second paycheck.
If you want to add an extra revenue stream without adding more work, contact AIR Media-Tech. We make MSN distribution simple, safe, and seamless.
