Phone numbers in ads

A complaint in the Adsense Forum

[MediaSpree]

Over in the adsense forum a user is complaing about the use of phone numbers in the ads being displayed on the site. Understandably he is upset that the adwords user is getting "free" ad space on his site with the thinking a perosn won't click but simply call the number. I looked through the adwords TOS and saw nothing about phone numbers. Is it allowable to have phone numbers in your ads?

[DamonHD]

Hi,

AFAIK phone numbers are allowed, and complaining about them may be misguided.

Just because someone *could* call does not mean that they will, especially if the call might be expensive (overseas) or might be to a VERY pushy salesdroid, or there is no phone near the PC, etc, etc...

I'd usually rather click and see what I thought of the organisation before placing even a toll-free call to them.

Besides, if all users *did* call rather than click, the ad CTR would be so low that the ad would soon disappear.

Rgds

Damon

[AdWordsAdvisor]

AFAIK phone numbers are allowed...

DamonHD is correct - it is just fine within policy to use one's phone number in AdWords ads.

The jury is still out in terms of whether it is a good idea or not. Personally I don't recommend it, as I feel it's not the best use of limited ad space.

(And, again as pointed out by DamonHD, given the choice between a single mouse click and a phone call, I'd personally chose the mouse click approximately 100% of the time.)

On the other hand, I've heard from at least a few advertisers who get excellent results.

AWA

[Jane_Doe]

Keep in mind that a least some Adsense publishers, especially the ones who can be afford to be picky about what ads they have on their sites, may block your ads with phone numbers (if you are showing them on the content network).

[eWhisper]

I'm a big fan of using phone numbers in ads IF you own the phone number 800-keyword.

The impression created by putting that in an ad is that you're an authority with regards to that keyword or theme, and I've seen it raise CTRs.

The purpose isn't to get people to call you from that ad - it's to raise awareness of the phone number and portray yourself as an authority.

[AdWordsAdvisor]

The purpose isn't to get people to call you from that ad - it's to raise awareness of the phone number and portray yourself as an authority.

A really excellent point that I had not thought of. ;)

AWA

[skibum]

Just having the phone number in the ads is a signal that it is very likely that there will be a real person (or at least real voice mail) to actually call for more info and may inspire more confidence, curiosity, and clicks.

[moTi]

[webmasterworld.com ]