Thread by @DarrenShaw_

The call data in your GBP Performance section is wrong.

Google only records calls when people tap the call button on mobile. Desktop calls aren't captured.

Solve this problem by using a call tracking number on your GBP.

Here's what you need to know 🧵

#localseo #seo

A call tracking number is a unique phone number that you can use on your GBP (or on any marketing campaigns).

It lets you see various metrics:
🔸 source (GBP, Ads, website, etc.)
🔸 caller's location
🔸 time of the call
🔸 duration of the call

Depending on your industry, calls may be the primary form of lead generation for your business.

As Google is trying to keep users on search result pages, tracking calls from your GBP is super valuable.

There's plenty of call-tracking software. We use @CallRail at @whitespark.

Once you get a call tracking number, add it to your GBP under "Contact Information"

🔸 Set the tracking number as your PRIMARY.
🔸 And your real business number as ADDITIONAL.

Only the primary is shown on your GBP, so now you can track ALL your calls, not just the mobile calls.

Wait. Won’t that be a problem for citation consistency?

Nope. Since you've put your business number as an additional number, all your listings on the web will stay connected to your Profile, and Google will have no problem associating your citations with your GBP.

🔥 Bonus Tip: Those additional phone number fields can also be used for old phone numbers that you have used in the past.

This is a nice shortcut for helping Google connect citations with the old phone number to your Profile.

I also recommend using a separate call tracking number on your site.

The phone # on your site should match your GBP, but call tracking software fixes this with "dynamic number replacement"

Google sees your real number on load, and then JS replaces it with the tracking number 🤯

There you have it, the right way to use a call tracking number on your GBP & website.

Not only is this a great way to monitor your conversion rate, but now you can accurately show the impact of your local SEO work to your clients or boss.