Ads with Phone Numbers

[loner]

Typically I block all ads with phone numbers. I think that these advertisers are just trying to get something for nothing. I'm not sure if this hurts or helps my bottom line, but I sure feel better. Anybody else have theories/comments on this?

[fredw]

I think the consensus here is that people usually do not call the phone number without checking out the company by clicking on the ad first, and that phone numbers lend credibility to the ads, so even if they don't click on that one because it had a phone number in it, it adds legitimacy to your ads in general, which is a good thing.

But, it sure sticks in my craw whenever I see one on my own sites, it feels like the advertiser is cheating, and even if it doesn't, in reality, hurt us, I don't think the big G should allow it.

Then again, there's lots of things they shouldn't allow, but they do...

[joeking]

Don't agree with the "lends credibilty" "nobody would phone without checking out website first" patter.

It is a blatant attempt to get business without paying for the click. Simple as.

[joeking]

Anyone seeing this in UK / Europe?

[Green_Grass]

I have noticed MFA's do not advertise with a phone no. in the ads.

So I let them be.

[PCInk]

It is a blatant attempt to get business without paying for the click. Simple as.

For some maybe it is an attempt. I have worked with AdWords ads with phone numbers in them and they have a higher click through rate than other ads. Not by a lot, but it seems consistant.

As a seller you may think you might get something for free. As an AdSense advertiser, you may think you are giving something away for free.

But as a shopper looking on the internet - would you EVER pick up the phone without clicking an internet link first? I know I wouldn't.

[sem4u]

Another discussion here:
[webmasterworld.com...]

[JS_Harris]

I don't think it affects much on adsense ads, at least not noticeably in my experience. Its definitely a problem with affiliates however.

Sending traffic to an affiliate via CPA ads and then finding that the affiliate manager has changed the landing page to make it near impossible to do anything but call the company is a cheap tactic. It denies you registering a completed sale despite having completed the requirements.

[joeking]

"But as a shopper looking on the internet - would you EVER pick up the phone without clicking an internet link first? I know I wouldn't."

What does clicking the link tell you? Anyone can put up a website. Boiler rooms make millions every year doing so from those taken in by a "glossy" website.

Would I EVER phone without clicking? Of course I would. And plenty of others would too.

[jatar_k]

here was another
[webmasterworld.com...]