Common issues that limit content visibility on MSN

​​​​​​​​​​​​​Excessive or misleading links

Content published on MSN should be designed to engage readers on the MSN platform, not redirect them elsewhere. Posts that serve primarily as gateways to the original site—especially very short articles or those with early outbound links—are likely to be demoted.

Watch out for:

• Articles with fewer than 450 characters

• Outbound links to the original site within the first three paragraphs

• Overuse of internal site links, such as “Most Read” or “Recommended Articles”

• Link-heavy layouts with minimal editorial content

Best practices:

• Keep outbound links relevant and use them sparingly to maintain a high-quality reading experience on MSN.

Misplaced related links

"Related Links” sections—such as “Read More,” “Recommended,” or similar—should only appear at the end of an article or in the right-hand sidebar (as displayed in the MSN layout). Placing these links mid-article or within the first few paragraphs can disrupt the reading experience and reduce the article’s visibility.

Watch out for:

• Inserting related links near the beginning of an article

• Embedding related links between paragraphs in the body

• Using more than one “Related Links” section per article

Best practices:

• If a post is found to have a Related Links section that is misplaced, the article may be demoted.

Irrelevant media

Images, slideshows, or videos should support the story you’re telling. When media isn’t clearly connected to the content, it can confuse or distract readers—and in some cases, result in the post being removed.

Watch out for:

• Embedding unrelated media just to fill space

• Using generic visuals that don’t reflect the topic

• Using your brand logo as a thumbnail image; thumbnail images should reflect the subject of the story—not the publisher. 

• Including multiple media types that don’t work together

Best practices:

• Stick to visuals that enhance understanding or add meaningful context to the story.

Image quality issues

First impressions count—and blurry, poorly cropped images can make your content feel unprofessional. High-quality visuals not only look better but also boost reader trust.

Watch out for:

• Low-resolution or pixelated images

• Poorly cropped visuals that aren’t focused on the subject

• Images that don’t align with the article’s tone or content

Best practices:

• Use editorial-quality images that reflect the same care as your writing.

Wrong slideshow size

Slideshows (also called galleries) must meet MSN’s minimum and maximum slide requirements to be eligible for publishing. Submitting a gallery with too few slides—or missing images—can prevent it from surfacing altogether.

Watch out for:

• Fewer than 5 slides (except for specific regional minimums)

• Missing images (text-only slides are not supported)

Best practices:

• Global: 5–200 slides | Japan & Sweden: Minimum 2 | Spain & Portugal: Minimum 4

• Focus on quality over quantity; don’t pad a gallery to meet the minimum

• Ensure every slide contributes meaningfully to the story

• Use consistent image dimensions and aspect ratios for a smooth user experience

For technical specifications, refer to Auto-publishing requirements.

Duplicate links

Repeating the same link throughout an article doesn’t improve engagement—it can actually hurt it. Readers may see it as clutter or assume the post lacks substance.

Watch out for:

• Including the same link more than once in a post

• Linking repeatedly to similar articles without clear added value

Best practices:

• Use one well-placed, relevant link instead of multiple repetitions.

Duplicate media

If you’re embedding images, videos, or other media, each element should have a clear purpose and appear only once unless repetition adds value.

Watch out for:

• Using the same image or video multiple times

• Including unrelated or redundant media that doesn’t match the article’s focus

• Combining visuals that feel disconnected from each other

Best practices:

• Keep media cohesive and ensure it supports the topic of the post.

Duplicate posts

Evergreen content is welcome on MSN, but reposting without updates or context can lead to rejection. Readers—and the platform—need to know why it’s being shared again.

Watch out for:

• Reposting old content without labeling it as a repost or update

• Failing to explain why the content is relevant again

• Pushing old content as new without transparency

Best practices:

• Clearly label reposted content and explain what’s been changed or why it’s timely.

Lack of attribution

Every image, video, or embedded asset must be properly credited. It’s not just good practice—it’s required.

Watch out for:

• Uncredited use of third-party media

• Publishing media you don’t have rights to

• Omitting attribution or relying on unclear sources

Best practices:

• Always attribute media clearly and accurately to protect your content and reputation.

Missing or withheld content

When your article promises a video or slideshow, readers expect to see it right on MSN—not hidden behind a click. Missing or incomplete content can lead to a frustrating user experience and hurt trust in your brand.

Watch out for:

• Mentioning a video or slideshow but not including it in the post

• Requiring users to click through to the original site to access core content

• Publishing summaries on MSN while the full article appears only on your site

• Media that fails to load due to feed formatting or compliance errors

Best practices:

• Double-check that all media is embedded correctly and complies with feed specifications.

Low quality titles and text overlays

Headlines and thumbnail overlays are often the first thing a reader sees—so they need to look clean, accurate, and professional. Low-quality titles or cluttered overlays can reduce trust, hurt engagement, and diminish the overall experience.

For titles, avoid:

• Including URLs or shortened links in the headline

• Using misspellings, inconsistent grammar or tense shifts

• Applying excessive punctuation or unusual symbols

• Inconsistent capitalization (stick to Title Case, Sentence case, or ALL CAPS for emphasis or acronyms)

Best practices:

• Keep titles clear, concise, and relevant to the story

• Use quotes or indirect questions when appropriate but prioritize readability

For thumbnail text overlays we review only manually added text.

Avoid adding overlay text that:

• Repeats the headline or title (video content is an exception)

• Includes logos, trademarks, or brand names added for branding or promotion

• Is decorative, hard to read, or scattered across the image

• Uses speech bubbles or news ticker-style banners to simulate urgency or mimic news formats

We do not reject thumbnails containing naturally occurring text within the image, such as:

• Product labels, signs, or brand names shown in photos (e.g., a Netflix logo on a screen, text on a protest signs, or "Make America Great Again" on a hat)

• Printed materials in the background (e.g., posters, clothing, packaging)

• Partial or obscured text that appears as part of the scene

Best practices:

• Only use overlay text when it adds meaningful context to the image

• Make sure overlay text is legible, relevant, and visually balanced

• Avoid overlays that feel redundant, cluttered, or misleading

• Do not use your brand logo as the thumbnail image - thumbnail images should reflect the subject of the story—not the publisher.