At first I didn't like it either, but think that each person that calls their telephone number, degrades that advertiser's CTR and thus they must bid more to retain a high position.
I don't know for a fact - but I imagine it's a wash in the end.
M
Are phone numbers allowed in ads? I see one. I don't like it.Is this allowed?
To answer your specific query, HughMungus, yes, it is allowable to use one's phone numbers in ads.
Is it a good idea? Well, in my personal opinion, no. It almost seems like a waste of valuable real estate to me. After all, how many people will make a call, when they are literally one click away from seeing a lot of information about the product (or service), and the seller?
And wouldn't the ads space be better used in creating a more compelling ad?
In my experience, most folks who use phone numbers in their ads eventually drop then. There have been exceptions though: I recall at least one advertiser who tracked his sales carefully, and who said that many people called him, having seen his ad.
So I guess, as always, 'actual results will vary'.
AWA
The purpose of this isn't necessarily to get people to call you from the ad, it's part branding, and often leads to a higher CTR as many consider someone who owns that type of number to be an 'authority'in an area.
One of the main reasons to use a phone number in an ad is if you own 1-800-KeyWord.
The purpose of this isn't necessarily to get people to call you from the ad, it's part branding, and often leads to a higher CTR as many consider someone who owns that type of number to be an 'authority'in an area.
Gosh. I wish I'd thought of that!
Excellent point, as always, eWhisper. :)
AWA
In their demo, they specifically show people taking phone numbers from AdWords ads and moving them to their mobile phone.
In their demo, they specifically show people taking phone numbers from AdWords ads and moving them to their mobile phone.
Fascinating the things one learns on WebmasterWorld! Nice. Thanks for pointing this out tdmrps.
;) AWA
