trillianjedi - 3:54 pm on Nov 25, 2005 (gmt 0)

This must be their eventual goal?

Personally I think you were right the first time - GTalk is the eventual goal. Click to talk offers great convenience to both sides.

Why should I have to type in *my* number in order to connect to an advertiser.

Good question. There are a few reasons which make it work well for both sides. I think the most significant is predictive dialling. You can search that for a full explanation (call centers use it), but in short, Google won't call you immediately unless an advisor is able to take your call immediately. The advertiser can set times when calls can be accepted etc. With predictive dialling and click to call, the potential shopper "clicks" and then thinks "right, that's done I can forget about it and wait for a call". That's opposed to calling a number and getting an engaged tone, or no-one answering.

There's value to both parties.

That's not how we use the Yellow pages and people don't like learning new things.

I remember similar comments about bricks and mortar stores and online buying - and not that long ago either - 1995?

I'd far prefer to search for "red widget", see a no (instead of URL possibly) on SERPs, dial it on my normal phone and connect to the advertiser - 'cos thats what I'm used to.

Searching the internet is itself a relatively new concept. You got used to it. Previously you would use a directory, such as the Yellow Pages to find a dealer in red widgets. Now you're using a search engine. You've adapted and learned a new thing because it was convenient to you.

TJ