If you’re running Google Ads and tracking phone calls, you may have wondered if the tracking numbers provided by Google Ads are the same as your primary business phone number. The simple answer is: Yes, they do change. But let’s break this down a bit further to understand why and how it works, and what it means for your business.
What Are Google Ads Tracking Numbers?
Before we dive into why your tracking number changes, let’s first understand what a tracking number is.
When you set up phone call tracking in Google Ads, Google provides a special phone number to track calls from your ads. This number is different from the number you use on your website or in your everyday business communications. It’s used to measure how well your ads are performing by tracking phone calls that come directly from your Google Ads campaigns.
Why Does Google Ads Use Different Numbers?
Google Ads uses different phone numbers for tracking calls so that it can match phone calls back to specific ads and campaigns. This helps you understand how well your ads are performing and which keywords or ads are driving phone calls.
Imagine you’re running an ad for your business offering home improvement services. Someone clicks on your ad and then calls the tracking number. Google knows exactly which ad or keyword brought them to you, so you can see if your ad is effective. Without this system, it would be impossible to know which ads were responsible for generating calls.
Do These Tracking Numbers Change?
Yes, Google Ads tracking numbers do change depending on where your ad is shown. Here’s why:
Dynamic Number Insertion (DNI): This feature allows Google to show different phone numbers based on which ad, keyword, or device the user interacted with. When a potential customer clicks on your ad, Google will display a unique tracking number for that specific user session. This helps ensure that Google can link the call back to the correct ad campaign.
Different Numbers for Different Sources: Google Ads will generate new tracking numbers if the ad is displayed on different platforms or in different campaigns. For example, the number shown to someone who sees your ad on a desktop computer might be different from someone viewing your ad on their mobile device. This allows you to measure the success of each platform separately.
Ad Rotation and Testing: If you’re testing different ads or running multiple campaigns, Google will assign a unique tracking number to each one. So if you’re running three different ads for your home improvement service, each one might have a different phone number, even though they all lead to the same business.
Will This Affect My Primary Business Number?
Now, you might be asking, “What happens to my primary business number? Does this mean my customers will never see it?”
Don’t worry. Your primary business number will still be on your website and in other places where you want it to appear. The tracking number is only displayed when someone interacts with your ad on Google. Once they visit your website or reach out to you directly through other means, they’ll still see your main number.
In other words, Google Ads tracking numbers are temporary. They are only shown to people who click on your ads, and they disappear once that session is over. This way, your primary business number remains unaffected and continues to be the number people know and trust.
Should You Be Concerned About These Changing Numbers?
In general, you don’t need to be concerned about the tracking numbers changing. In fact, it’s a smart and effective way to measure how your ads are performing. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to tell which ads are bringing in phone calls. It will also make it harder to adjust and improve your marketing strategy.
That said, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Ensure Accurate Tracking: Make sure that your Google Ads phone tracking is set up correctly on your website. If you’re not sure, you can always ask a digital marketing professional to help. Incorrect setup could lead to missed calls or inaccurate data.
Stay Updated on Changes: Google Ads might update or change the way phone number tracking works. It’s important to stay informed about any changes in Google’s system, especially if you notice any inconsistencies or issues with your tracking numbers.
Test Your Tracking: Periodically test your own ads and see how the tracking numbers are displayed. This will ensure that everything is working as it should, and you’ll know exactly how customers are finding you through your ads.
Conclusion
So, does Google Ads tracking numbers change from your primary number? Yes, they do, but that’s a good thing. The unique tracking numbers help you measure how well your ads are performing and ensure you’re making the most out of your advertising budget. Google Ads dynamically changes these numbers to give you precise data about each call generated from your ads, while still keeping your primary business number safe and visible to customers.
As long as you keep track of how Google Ads sets up your phone call tracking and ensure everything is running smoothly, you can take full advantage of the data it provides to improve your ad campaigns and grow your business.
Ready to track your calls and make smarter decisions with Google Ads? Make sure your tracking setup is working correctly, and you’ll be on your way to a more successful and data-driven advertising strategy.
