Microsoft is testing ads (recommendations) in yet another location of its Windows 11 operating system.

When is an ad an advertisement and not a recommendation? Microsoft clearly likes to use the term recommendation for what others may see as an advertisement.

There are recommendations in the Start menu, Settings app, Lock screen, File Explorer, Get Help app, and other areas of the operating system already. These are often not that useful. App recommendations in the Start menu are limited to Microsoft Store apps.

Now, Microsoft is testing recommendations in the Microsoft Store app. If you never use the app, you won’t be exposed to these. If you do, you may notice recommendations popping up when you try to use the built-in search.

First spotted by phantomofearth on X, two or three recommendations are shown whenever search is activated in the official Microsoft Store app.

  • Vik@lemmy.worldEnglish
    31·
    4 months ago

    I’d be curious at the percentage of windows users actually using the store app.

    As for the context of these ads, the store would kind of make more sense than within your settings landing page, start menu, search dialog, browser nagware, solitaire app etc.

    • RmDebArc_5@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      12·
      4 months ago

      If I remember correctly some (mainly Microsoft made apps) are store only and some system apps are updated through it so probably a large part of users use it

      • shalafi@lemmy.worldEnglish
        8·
        4 months ago

        Anecdotally, I don’t know anyone that uses it. In the years working IT since the Store came out, not a single coworker has asked me about it.

        Logging into my customer’s computers and I don’t see any evidence that they use it either.

      • Vik@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        4 months ago

        This is a fair point, an I had considered this to be a case but the store is capable of automatically updating apps in the background. I believe this is the default behaviour but I could be mistaken.

        There is also a chance a user may be directed to the store if they’re required to buy the HEVC or install the AV1 system plugins.

      • conciselyverbose@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        2·
        4 months ago

        The more relevant question IMO is what proportion of software (or by revenue) is installed through the Windows store.

        Because compared to android (even counting Amazon fire and whatever other third party devices), I’m guessing that’s pretty low.