Microsoft adCenter Analytics is closing its beta program. Existing users will be able to access their accounts through December 31, 2009.

All reports must be downloaded prior to December 31, and hosted services, data collection, email and technical support will cease.

"We recommend that you use the coming months to evaluate your Web analytics needs and leverage that information to conduct a search for an alternative Web analytics solution," the adCenter team wrote.

Pending the shuttering of adCenter Analytics, the blog will be renamed "Insights & Analysis." It will continue to focus on research, best practices and online marketing ROI.

A list of comparative web analytics solutions was provided in addition to news that the beta would close.

adCenter — Microsoft's response to pay-per-click ad offerings by Yahoo and Google — was announced in 2006, around the time Microsoft announced the acquisition of DeepMetrix, a privately-held analytics firm. Beta testing for its adCenter Analytics began in late 2007.