• by Gavin O'Malley  @mp_gavin, July 18, 2007

Appealing to small business owners, Microsoft's Office Live has added Ask.com sponsored listings to its search advertising service.

Office Live is Web-based software offered by Microsoft since late 2005 to help small businesses create Web sites, e-mail accounts and other e-business applications.

Through the deal, marketers can now buy search terms and manage Web campaigns on Ask.com's site and its network of Internet publishers.

"This provides more options for our small businesses to market their companies and attract new customers," said Baris Cetinok, director of product management and marketing for Microsoft Office Live.

In particular, the tools are tailored for small businesses interested in targeting ads to specific regions or cities. Microsoft's adManager service already includes access to its MSN network of sites and Live Search to distribute ads.

The Ask Sponsored Listings network is the third-biggest in the United States, reaching more than 59 million monthly visitors, according to its parent company IAC/InterActiveCorp.