Bing Ads is currently testing a brand new extension that allows searchers to add their most important social media profiles into their Bing Ads ad, via a new social media extension.

Here is what it looks like.

The social media icons within the ad copy are definitely eye catching.

The new extension – simply called Social Extensions – allows advertisers to pick up to 4 social media profiles to showcase.  For now, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Tumblr are the ones to choose from, but support for Pinterest is coming, and possibly for YouTube as well.

The Twitter example is interesting since it shows that you don’t just have to link to your Twitter handle, linking to branded hashtags – or any hashtag at all – is something that can be done.

It also could be useful for advertisers who want to advertise they offer support – they could target keywords like “<Brand Name> help” or “<Brand Name> Support” and link to their @<brand>help or @<brand>support accounts.

Advertisers are charged on a CPC basis for clicks on the social links.

This is currently in beta and being tested by advertisers in Bing Ads.  If you are interested in trying it out, contact your Bing Ads rep for access to this test.