Do you wish you could more fully track and understand phone calls stemming from your paid search efforts? Do you also want a way to avoid the headaches of implementing call tracking phone numbers without having yet another account and dashboard to login? We have a possible solution (or two) for that. Keep reading.

Google Ads Begins Recording Calls

Big Brother alert! Back in September of 2018, Google started monitoring and recording a small percentage of phone calls being initiated by call-only ads or call extensions within Google Ads accounts. They then stated in a help document that it was an effort to improve call quality for users and advertisers.
 

“Evaluating call quality ensures that advertisers are providing a positive call experience and prevents caller spam and business fraud.” 

Google Ads Launches Call Recording

Fast forward to the present time, August 2020, and Google has just announced the launch of a new feature allowing advertisers to record phone calls from call-only ads or call ad extensions. Interesting. So now, instead of just being able to see the number of calls and the call length/duration, advertisers can further evaluate and qualify phone conversions by listening to these call recordings.

Now I know it sounds creepy to record phone calls. But, rest assured, for legal purposes, each advertiser who wishes to participate in this new feature must accept Google’s Terms & Conditions. Additionally, callers through call-only ads and call extensions will hear a message informing them that the call is indeed being recorded.

Call Recording Requirements for Google Ads

As with anything Google, however, there are requirements to participate:

• At least Administrative access to the Google Ads account. Manager accounts and users with Admin or Standard access can replay recordings within the Call Details Report
• Call reporting must be enabled within Google Ads
• US-based phone number
• Verified domain ownership for all unique domain URLs associated with or used within or any of your ads and extensions
  • Verification of your domain can be done by linking your Google Search Console and Google Ads accounts or adding a Google Ads conversion tracking or remarketing tag. If the domain is not verified, the calls will not be playable – despite call reporting the setting being enabled.

Call Recording Limitations

There are also a couple of limitations to be aware of:

• Google only saves call recordings for 30 days. If you wish to look back further in history, a paid call tracking solution may be a better fit for your business.
• Again, call recordings are only eligible with US-based phone numbers.

Contact Ecreative for More Details on Call Tracking

If you would like further paid search insight, are interested in having an audit performed on your Paid Advertising account, or have questions about Call Tracking Services and Solutions, I welcome you to contact Ecreative at your convenience.