Tracking Phone Numbers on Citysearch

Citysearch uses tracking numbers and is being picked up by other sites

[lawrencehawk]

We are paying Citysearch to track all of the phone calls from their listings. This is causing a giant mess for local search. I did a search for the phone number and it shows on over 4000 other sites (yes job security).

Is there an easy way to fix this? Or do you recommend getting rid of the tracking phone number?

[J_RaD]

Tracking numbers to my knowledge are BAD. Kill the tracking number and clean up the mess.

[lawrencehawk]

Ha. That's what I thought when I first saw it. What I thought was funny is Citysearch is saying how many calls we get a month through this tracking number. Of course! It's on over 4000 other sites!

[anallawalla]

Unless CS uses a "click to reveal number" script that does the counting, then you will have the problem when they count the calls to the actual number.

<Devil's advocate> CS might argue that *their* tracking number was copied by the other sites, so it is still their promotion that gave you this exposure. </Devil's advocate>

[lexipixel]

Just use your regular number, but advertise some promotion where customers are told to mention "Promo Code CALL10" (for a 10% discount), or "FREESTUFF" etc..

It's basic phone marketing 101 to always have phone reps ask "Where did you hear about us?"