Additional Phone Number option

[sarmcl]

So I know some are using the "additional phone number option" in the GMB dashboard for tracking purposes. However, can it be used to put an 800 number. We are trying to figure out if that additional phone number shows up ANYWHERE on the verified page.

From what I have been researching it does NOT. So I guess my question is---what the heck is the point of the field? Is it ONLY if you are using tracking numbers?

 

[Colan Nielsen]

Hey @sarmcl The additional number doesn't show up anywhere on maps or search. But it makes sense to add 800 numbers or any other numbers associated with the business. This can prevent NAP consistency issues. For instance if you happen to have the 800 number on a bunch of citations it would be beneficial for Google to know that number is associated with your business. And adding it to the "additional" spot accomplishes this on the back end.

I like to think of adding additional relevant numbers to GMB as plugging holes in your data across the local ecosystem.

 

[Colan Nielsen]

So I guess my question is---what the heck is the point of the field? Is it ONLY if you are using tracking numbers?

Another use for the "additional" field is to add tracking numbers that you are using on other sites. For instance, if you use a tracking number on your Yelp listing you would want to add that tracking number to the "additional" spot in GMB. Same concept as adding an 800 number or an older backline number that's still floating around the web.

 

[TomW]

The additional phone numbers don't show up on the listing but there is one place where Google shows the additional numbers publicly: the listing's GMB website. That feature has to be enabled for that to happen though. When it is enabled, the additional numbers will show in the footer of the GMB website.

 

[sarmcl]

Another use for the "additional" field is to add tracking numbers that you are using on other sites. For instance, if you use a tracking number on your Yelp listing you would want to add that tracking number to the "additional" spot in GMB. Same concept as adding an 800 number or an older backline number that's still floating around the web.

Hi Colan

So this intrigues me because we do have a client who has tracking on Yelp and we manage GMB for them. What would be the reasoning to put the tracking numbers from Yelp as additional numbers in GMB? Is it just in case those numbers get picked up you are showing Google that they are authentic phone numbers?

 

[Colan Nielsen]

Hi Colan

So this intrigues me because we do have a client who has tracking on Yelp and we manage GMB for them. What would be the reasoning to put the tracking numbers from Yelp as additional numbers in GMB? Is it just in case those numbers get picked up you are showing Google that they are authentic phone numbers?

Exactly. You are letting Google know that the phone number is indeed associated with your business. It's preventing Google from getting confused, essentially.

 

[Dan Foland]

Another use for the "additional" field is to add tracking numbers that you are using on other sites. For instance, if you use a tracking number on your Yelp listing you would want to add that tracking number to the "additional" spot in GMB. Same concept as adding an 800 number or an older backline number that's still floating around the web.

This is great advice. I've never thought of using non-GMB tracking as additional phone numbers so Google is better able to make the connection.

 

[JoshuaMackens]

Hey @sarmcl The additional number doesn't show up anywhere on maps or search. But it makes sense to add 800 numbers or any other numbers associated with the business. This can prevent NAP consistency issues. For instance if you happen to have the 800 number on a bunch of citations it would be beneficial for Google to know that number is associated with your business. And adding it to the "additional" spot accomplishes this on the back end.

I like to think of adding additional relevant numbers to GMB as plugging holes in your data across the local ecosystem.

Hey Colan, is there any official word from Google this is what "additional numbers" is for?

If so, I'd love to track Facebook leads for my clients with a unique tracking number as well as Yelp.

 

[Colan Nielsen]

Hey @JoshuaMackens Interestingly I just noticed this line in the GMB guidelines that I have never noticed before:

• Additional phone numbers can be used on Google My Business websites and other local surfaces.

However, I don't think that is referring specifically to the additional spot inside the GMB dashboard.

 

[JoshuaMackens]

Hey @JoshuaMackens Interestingly I just noticed this line in the GMB guidelines that I have never noticed before:

• Additional phone numbers can be used on Google My Business websites and other local surfaces.

However, I don't think that is referring specifically to the additional spot inside the GMB dashboard.

Interesting. Clarification from Google on this would be most excellent.

 

[Colan Nielsen]

Interesting. Clarification from Google on this would be most excellent.

I'll see what I can do

 

[JoshuaMackens]

I'll see what I can do

Thanks Colan!

 

[freerunr]

The additional phone numbers don't show up on the listing but there is one place where Google shows the additional numbers publicly: the listing's GMB website. That feature has to be enabled for that to happen though. When it is enabled, the additional numbers will show in the footer of the GMB website.

Thanks for sharing @TomW. Do you also happen to have an example that you can share?

Hey @JoshuaMackens Interestingly I just noticed this line in the GMB guidelines that I have never noticed before:

• Additional phone numbers can be used on Google My Business websites and other local surfaces.

However, I don't think that is referring specifically to the additional spot inside the GMB dashboard.

Seeing this in the guidelines today is what brought me to this thread. @Colan Nielsen, what do you think this refers to if not the "Additional phone" field in the GMB dashboard? Looking forward to any additional info you get!

When I asked Google about the "Additional phone" field in general in October 2017, this is what they said:

"We've got a little more information for you about additional phone numbers. Currently our specialist team is working to make them visible to customers on GMB pages. Having said that, we don't currently have an ETA on when this new feature will be available. Once we do have this confirmed, we will work on updating our help center."

I'm now wondering if "visible to customers on GMB pages" was a foreshadowing of them actually being visible on GMB websites. But what I'm curious about now is what "other local surfaces" is in reference to...

 

[Colan Nielsen]

Thanks for sharing @TomW. Do you also happen to have an example that you can share?



Seeing this in the guidelines today is what brought me to this thread. @Colan Nielsen, what do you think this refers to if not the "Additional phone" field in the GMB dashboard? Looking forward to any additional info you get!

When I asked Google about the "Additional phone" field in general in October 2017, this is what they said:

"We've got a little more information for you about additional phone numbers. Currently our specialist team is working to make them visible to customers on GMB pages. Having said that, we don't currently have an ETA on when this new feature will be available. Once we do have this confirmed, we will work on updating our help center."

I'm now wondering if "visible to customers on GMB pages" was a foreshadowing of them actually being visible on GMB websites. But what I'm curious about now is what "other local surfaces" is in reference to...

Hey @freerunr My fellow GMB TC @TomW just followed up with Google on this. Sounds like we will have an answer in the near future. I think you are right that it is likely referring to the GMB website as well as other Google products that may or may not already exist.

 

[TomW]

Hey @freerunr here's an example of one I found. Scroll down to the footer and you'll see two phone numbers. If you click on the map above the footer it will take you to the corresponding GMB listing.