How to Block Websites on the Microsoft Audience Network

Quick answer

To block websites on the Microsoft Audience Network, find the placements in the website URL (publisher) report, then add the domains you don’t want as website exclusions in campaign settings, or in a shared website exclusion list applied to several campaigns. Review placements regularly, because new sites appear over time.

Why block websites at all?

Audience Network placements vary widely in quality. Some sites drive real customers. Others send accidental clicks from mobile apps, very short sessions or traffic that never converts. Blocking the poor performers protects your budget without giving up the placements that work.

Step 1: Find where your ads appear

Run the Website URL (publisher) report, or check the placement data in your campaign’s reporting. Choose a date range long enough to be meaningful, at least 30 days for most accounts. Add columns for spend, clicks, conversions, conversion rate and cost per conversion. Sort by spend first: the expensive non-converters are your top candidates.

Step 2: Exclude at campaign level

1. Open the campaign.
2. Go to Settings and find the Website exclusions section (some views show it under Exclusions).
3. Enter the domains to exclude, one per line.
4. Save.

Repeat for each campaign that needs the exclusion, or use a shared list instead.

Step 3: Use a shared list for many campaigns

1. Go to the Shared library and create a website exclusion list.
2. Add your domains.
3. Apply the list to all relevant search and audience campaigns.
4. Add new domains to the list as you find them; every linked campaign picks them up.

A shared list keeps exclusions consistent when you add new campaigns and saves time in large accounts.

Which sites to exclude

Microsoft-owned domains (such as msn.com, outlook.com) can be excluded too, but only do so if they don’t perform for you. They’re often among the higher-quality placements.

Exclusions vs a full opt-out

Exclusions remove specific sites. New sites keep appearing, so exclusions are an ongoing task, not a one-off. To keep search campaigns off the Audience Network entirely, you need to request an opt-out through support.

Good placement hygiene

• Review placements monthly, or weekly when spend is high.
• Keep a master exclusion list and share it across campaigns.
• Make decisions on conversion data, not CTR alone.
• Record why each domain was excluded, so you can revisit later.

Why placement cleanup is hard to scale

Placement lists change constantly, and Microsoft’s central support desk can’t review them for every advertiser. Microsoft relies on Partner Program channel partners to give small and mid-sized businesses this kind of hands-on account work.

FAQ

Is there a limit on website exclusions?

Microsoft sets limits per campaign and per list. Use shared lists to manage large sets.

Will excluding a domain block all its subdomains?

Check the exclusion format in your account; excluding the main domain is usually the broadest option.

How often should I review placements?

Monthly for most accounts, weekly when spend is high.

Do exclusions affect search results pages?

They apply to the sites you list. They don’t stop your ads on Bing search results.

Get your placements cleaned up

Adcore audits your placements and builds exclusion lists as part of free Elite partner support. Get free Microsoft Ads support.