VideoNest powers 750+ MSN accounts on behalf of media companies and content creators, and we're proud to be recognized as an Official Microsoft Partner for Copilot Discover (formerly MSN Start).
As a trusted, vetted content partner, VideoNest helps publishers distribute MSN video content across MSN.com, Microsoft Edge, the Windows Start menu, and Microsoft Copilot.
What Is MSN Copilot Discover?
MSN Copilot Discover (previously known as MSN Start) is Microsoft's editorial content platform built into the Windows ecosystem. It surfaces news, video, and media from approved publishers directly inside MSN.com, the Microsoft Edge new tab, the Windows Start menu, and Microsoft Copilot: four properties that together reach more people daily than most social platforms.
The scale is significant: Hundreds of millions of users encounter Copilot Discover content daily, across Windows desktops, laptops, and tablets worldwide. Windows has over 1.4 billion active devices globally. That's the addressable reach pool for publishers who are accepted into the program, and it's a pool that skews desktop, skews older, and skews higher income than the typical social video audience. For publishers and media companies, that means higher CPMs, better brand safety, and audiences who are actively consuming news and media rather than passively scrolling.
What makes Copilot Discover particularly valuable for publishers is what it doesn't require. There's no follower count threshold to clear, no algorithm to game, no ad spend needed to unlock distribution. Once a publisher is accepted and connected, every new video surfaces automatically across all four Microsoft properties. Reach is earned through approval and content quality, not through engagement momentum or paid promotion.
The platform was rebranded from MSN Start to Copilot Discover to reflect Microsoft's deeper integration of AI-powered discovery into the Windows experience. The surfaces and distribution mechanics remain the same; what's evolved is how Microsoft Copilot AI uses publisher content as part of its own content layer, giving approved publishers a presence inside one of the world's most widely used AI assistants.
Where Does MSN Video Appear?
MSN video content distributed through VideoNest can surface across four Microsoft properties simultaneously:
- MSN.com: Microsoft's main content portal, one of the most-visited news and entertainment destinations in the US
- Microsoft Edge: the new tab page in Edge serves MSN content to hundreds of millions of browser users
- Windows Start menu: video and news cards appear natively in the Windows Start experience on Windows 10 and 11
- Microsoft Copilot: as Copilot Discover deepens, publisher video content becomes part of the AI-surfaced content layer
How to Publish on MSN: What You Need to Know
Publishing on MSN video is not open self-serve; it requires approval. Microsoft only accepts content from vetted publishers and media companies who meet editorial and technical standards, which is why MSN video inventory carries real CPMs and why audiences trust the content they find there.
VideoNest is a vetted, trusted MSN partner with direct access to the Copilot Discover program. That means publishers working with VideoNest bypass the solo application process and gain access to MSN video distribution through an established, trusted channel.
Here's how the process works for VideoNest publishers:
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Connect your video library
Upload your videos to VideoNest and complete your metadata: titles, descriptions, thumbnails, categories, content ratings. MSN's placement algorithm uses this data to match your content to the right audience. -
VideoNest generates your MSN feed
VideoNest automatically creates and maintains a Microsoft-compliant MRSS feed for your channel. Every video you publish, edit, or remove is reflected in the feed within the next ingest cycle, with no manual feed management required. -
VideoNest handles the MSN Partner Hub connection
As an Official Microsoft Partner, VideoNest manages your feed approval and submission through the Copilot Discover program. You don't navigate Microsoft's partner portal yourself. VideoNest handles the technical compliance and account setup. -
Your content goes live across MSN surfaces
Once active, new videos you publish in VideoNest appear on MSN.com, Edge, Windows, and Copilot automatically. No re-submissions, no manual pushes, no ongoing maintenance.
Who's Already Publishing on MSN Through VideoNest
VideoNest currently manages 750+ MSN accounts across media companies, independent publishers, sports networks, entertainment brands, and digital-first creators. A few examples:
Live on MSN
Live on MSN
Live on MSN
Complex uses VideoNest to distribute archival and new content across MSN and other distribution channels, doubling incremental views without changing their existing publishing workflow. Content like their hip-hop and esports coverage surfaces directly on MSN through the VideoNest feed. Law Nation Sports generated 41 million new viewers in 90 days by activating MSN video distribution alongside a broader VideoNest syndication strategy.
Ready to publish on MSN Copilot Discover?
VideoNest manages MSN distribution for 750+ accounts. Publishing is by approval — set up a demo to get started.
Why MSN Video Distribution Matters for Publishers in 2026
The media landscape in 2026 rewards publishers who can reach audiences outside of social platforms. Social video reach has become increasingly pay-to-play: organic distribution on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok requires consistent algorithmic favor, and reach can disappear overnight.
MSN video offers something different: a predictable, high-reach channel that isn't subject to follower-count dynamics. Your content surfaces because it was approved and is technically compliant, not because of engagement momentum or advertising spend. For publishers producing quality video consistently, that's a meaningful structural advantage.
For a deeper look at how the technical side of MSN distribution works (MRSS feeds, metadata requirements, ingest cycles), see how VideoNest automates MSN video distribution. For the full MSN integration overview, see the MSN integration page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between MSN Start and MSN Copilot Discover?
MSN Start was the original name for Microsoft's content distribution platform integrated into Windows and Edge. Microsoft rebranded it as Copilot Discover to reflect deeper integration with the Microsoft Copilot AI assistant. The distribution surfaces (MSN.com, Edge, Windows, Copilot) remain the same.
Can any publisher apply to publish on MSN video?
MSN video is approval-only. Microsoft vets publishers for editorial quality, content standards, and technical compliance. VideoNest, as an Official Microsoft Partner, manages this process for publishers in the VideoNest network, significantly reducing the friction of getting approved and going live.
How does VideoNest keep my MSN feed up to date?
VideoNest generates a Microsoft-compliant MRSS feed from your video library and updates it automatically when you publish, edit, or remove content. You don't manage any XML, hosting, or feed submissions. VideoNest handles the full technical pipeline.
Is MSN video distribution included in VideoNest plans?
MSN distribution is available on VideoNest Business and Enterprise plans. See plan details →