Tracking Numbers and Local Listings

[goldbergweismancairo]

Hello all, had a quick question about the pros and cons of claiming a bunch of local listings and using a tracking # on our business profiles with those listings rather than our actual #. Anyone have any insight into whether this is good or bad practice and why? Thanks in advance!

[MiriamEllis]

Good Evening!

The core problem with call tracking numbers is that they create data inconsistencies across the local search ecosystem which can result in a loss of trust on Google's part, a loss of rankings in the local search results and confusion on the part of customers.

Google wants each local business to have a business name, address and local area code phone number (NAP) that is published with absolute consistency across the web. Call tracking numbers can completely mess up this consistency and are normally considered taboo in Local.

Here are some good articles for you to read that talk intelligently about what you should and shouldn't do with call tracking numbers:

http://blumenthals.com/blog/2013/05/14/a-guide-to-call-tracking-and-local/

http://localu.org/blog/truth-about-seo-call-tracking/

Stick by the advice these two authors provide and you should be in the clear. Hope this helps!