Where Should I Put the Call Extension Number on My Website?

Short Answer: You should place the call extension number in the footer of your website. This placement ensures Google Ads can detect the number for approval while keeping it less visible to regular users, preventing direct calls from your site.

Full Explanation

Google Ads requires the call extension number to be visible somewhere on your website so that it can verify and approve the number for calls through your ads. However, displaying the number prominently for all website visitors could lead to users calling the number directly, which may cause Google to misattribute the source of these calls.

To balance Google’s need for visibility and your need to control call sources, it is best to include the call extension number in your website’s footer. The footer is typically at the bottom of the page and not the first place users look. This placement allows Google’s algorithms, which scan the entire site, to see the number without making it easily accessible to casual visitors.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Identify the call extension number: Ensure you have the correct number that you want to use in your Google Ads call extension.
Access your website’s footer: Use your website’s content management system or code editor to locate and open the footer section.
Insert the call extension number: Add the call extension number into the footer content so it becomes part of every page.
Verify visibility to Google: Confirm that Google Ads can scan the footer and detect the number for approval.
Keep the number subtle: Avoid styling or placing the number in sections where it catches the eye of average site visitors, maintaining a low profile.

Real Examples

Imagine you run a local service business and use Google Ads for phone leads. By placing your call extension number in the footer, Google can verify the number, allowing your ads to display the call button confidently. Meanwhile, users browsing your site won’t be tempted to call the number directly, preserving the accuracy of your ad reporting.

Common Mistakes

Placing the number too prominently: Putting the call extension number in header or main content sections increases visibility to users, which can confuse Google’s call source tracking.
Not including the number on the site at all: Google won’t approve the call extension without seeing the number somewhere on your website.
Hiding the number in ways Google can’t see: Using images or scripts that prevent Google from detecting the number could hinder approval.

FAQs

Q: Why can’t I just put the call extension number anywhere on the site?
A: Google Ads needs to see the number on your site to approve calls but keeping it hidden in a less obvious place like the footer helps prevent users from calling outside of ads.

Q: Will using the number in the footer affect my site’s design?
A: Typically not, as the footer is a natural place for such information and can be styled unobtrusively to avoid disrupting user experience.

Key Takeaways

Always place your call extension number on your website for Google Ads approval.
The footer is the ideal location because it is visible to Google but less obvious to users.
This approach helps maintain accurate call tracking through your advertising efforts.
Avoid prominent placement of the number to prevent direct user calls bypassing Google Ads.