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Tracking Phone Numbers & Google+ Local Question

by msteffens1979
8 replies
I recently read Scott Gallagher's "Top 10 Strategies for Local" and noticed he recommended NOT to use tracking numbers on your Google+ Local business listing...

I have a client that uses a tracking number on his website and want's to use the same tracking number on his Google+ Local listing as well. (This is a new business entity) How is this going to hurt his chances of ranking well in the SERPs?

I've had other clients who use tracking numbers on their Google listings as well and I've gotten all of them on page #1 and usually in the "a" position.

Could someone explain why using a tracking number with your Google+ Local listing is "bad" and does it really have a negative impact on your rankings?
#google #local #numbers #phone #question #tracking
  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    Honestly I don't know why people are saying not to use a tracking number. I haven't had any trouble with listings I've done using them and I just did one last week for a new client.

    Of course I don't try and trick Google into phone verification as I make my clients just wait for the post card. Maybe for phone verification it isn't recommended? Dunno, don't really care either.
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    • Profile picture of the author msteffens1979
      I basically feel the same way as I'm not tricking google and when someone calls that number, the business answers.
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  • Profile picture of the author Fawxkitteh
    i dont know how will it effect the ranking but if it said not to use phone numbers then there must be some fall you will get...
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    Haven't read anything in Googles guidelines about call tracking numbers unless I've missed something. Most of the does and don't are based on anecdotal evidence that doesn't mean squat.
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  • Profile picture of the author AussieT
    I saw that post also and could only assume that he meant that if tht client has been around for awhile and had existing citations with his 'real' phone number then it might confuse google if you NOW started using a different (tracking) phone number.
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    • Profile picture of the author ferriswannabe
      Originally Posted by AussieT View Post

      I saw that post also and could only assume that he meant that if tht client has been around for awhile and had existing citations with his 'real' phone number then it might confuse google if you NOW started using a different (tracking) phone number.
      Yes, that was the main reason, but he did state in a post that it violated the guidelines.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ninja Ana
    @ AussieT,

    I can not Pm you back, here is the thread that has the software I mentioned before, which is currently selling on clickbank.

    Its not my affiliate link .. ....

    Hope it helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kung Fu Backlinks
    I've used dozens of tracking numbers. I do remember Google having a problem with tracking numbers. I'm pretty sure they mention it in their quality guidelines; however, Google itself offers tracking numbers, so...

    I would suggest that older companies with a lot of mileage on an old number shouldn't switch to a tracking number. It just makes the work that much harder and you can use listing analytics, ranking reports and website analytics to prove your worth. As long as you decide on those metrics in the beginning, I can't see a business owner being ignorant of your value.
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