How to Track Calls from Google Ads for Free?

Call tracking for Google Ads is a relevant practice for businesses. In Google Ads, call tracking is a feature that is particularly of use for monitoring phone calls from potential customers. This practice or feature can help marketers identify the quality of callers. Moreover, it brings along several other benefits without involving definite or high investments. Advertisers can track calls from Google Ads for free by applying several approaches. They can set up and enable the Conversions feature. Using the Google Tag Manager or GTM and Google Forwarding Number, it is possible to monitor every phone call at no charge. Thus, without making investments, businesses can detect the quality of leads, the success of campaigns, and more.

Content Summary

• In Brief: Google Ads Call Tracking

• How to Track Phone Calls from Google Ads for Free?

• Why is Call Tracking for Google Ads Important?

In Brief: Google Ads Call Tracking 

Google Ads call tracking is an important feature. The product feature lets advertisers monitor the calls of their customers. These phone calls are made when callers are influenced by product ads on the platform. As these are tracked, advertisers are able to detect result-oriented ads in addition to identifying useful keywords, campaigns, etc.

How to Track Phone Calls from Google Ads for Free?

Through the in-built call tracking feature, a user can track calls generated via Google Ads for free. In addition, one can access Google Tag Manager for this purpose. Aside from that, a marketer can monitor phone calls originating from specific advertisements to assess their performance.

To proceed with call tracking for Google Ads using these features, applying a set of steps is important.

Method 1: By Setting up Conversions for Phone Calls

In order to track calls for a Google Ad for free, one can use a built-in feature. Through Conversions, it is possible to monitor every call along with the conversion it results in. Besides, using this option, one can determine action categories, window for conversions, and more.

• In the “Google Ads” account, find “Goals”.

• Then tap on “Conversions”.

• Next, select the option of “New Conversion Action”.

• Opt for pressing the “Phone Calls” button.

• Select “Calls from Ads Using Call Extensions or Call-Only Ads”.

• Tap on the “Continue” button.

• Go to “Goal and Action Optimisation”.

• In sync with conversion action, pick a goal category.

• Enter the “Conversion Name”. 

• View “Value” and tap on “Use the Same Value for Each Conversion”.

• Alternatively, prefer selecting “Don’t Use a Value for this Conversion Action”.

• Make a selection next to the “Count” option for one or every conversion.

• Fill in the details under “Call Length”.

• When the “Click-through Conversion Window” opens, choose a window for the action.

• Now, tap on “Account-Default Conversion Goals”.

• View the “Attribution Model”.

• Lastly, opt for “Create and Continue”.

Note: This feature tracks calls from Google Ads when conversations are longer than the minimum length set.

Method 2: Through Google Tag Manager (GTM)

To enable free call tracking for Google Ads, businesses can rely on Google Tag Manager. For this, it is vital to set up Google Ads conversion tracking. Afterward, create tags using GTM to track phone calls generated through online advertisements. 

Post setting up conversion tracking, carry out a few instructions to monitor calls for Google Ads at no charge. 

• Initially, sign in to “GTM” or “Google Tag Manager”.

• Choose a workspace.

• Then press “Tags”.

• Hit the “New” option to add a tag.

• View the option of “Tag Configuration”.

• Upon scrolling down, look for “Google Ads Calls from Website Conversion”.

• Add the same phone number shown on the user’s website.

• Enter the “Label” and “Conversion ID” via the account on “Google Ads”.

• Add a trigger to fire as a user clicks a specific search ad, followed by dialing the forwarding phone number on that site.

• Save the new tag to continue.

• Now, opt for publishing the changes. 

Method 3: Using a Google Forwarding Number

A business can opt for call tracking software for Google Ads cost-free through a Google forwarding number. For the same, it is crucial to set up the call tracking feature. Afterward, see to it that the ads make use of call extensions. Otherwise, prefer call-only advertisements. Then, access the forwarding number available for free to monitor phone calls. 

• Note that the forwarding number by Google is unique.

• It appears in ads and routes every call to a business.

• While routing calls, the number enables their tracking by Google.

Why is Call Tracking for Google Ads Important?

It is important to keep track of calls that a Google ad generates to identify ROI and improve it. By knowing the return on investment, a marketer can detect campaigns that drive the maximum phone calls. Afterward, one can better allocate the budget to ensure an increase in the returns. 

Keep in mind that for reasons beyond as well, call tracking for Google Ads assumes importance. 

To Identify Keywords & Campaign Performance

Monitoring calls generated by Google advertisements is crucial for assessing how particular keywords work and campaigns perform. For this purpose, checking which campaigns or keywords drive the most phone calls is important. Through free call tracking, it is possible to detect the same. 

For Optimizing Ad Campaigns

Optimized campaigns are effective in attracting more callers to eventually benefit businesses. For their optimization, call tracking for Google Ads is a beneficial move. It enables understanding ad groups, keywords, and others that attract high-quality or relevant prospects to businesses through campaigns. Through optimization, one can maintain such an impact. 

Concluding Thoughts

To track calls from Google Ads for free, several approaches are effective. Making use of Google forwarding numbers, GTM, and others, businesses can monitor the calls generated by advertisements. Through each approach, they can find out how impactful their campaigns are and optimize them further for better results.