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Google Displays Fake Phone Numbers For Some Local Businesses In Toronto So They Can Record Calls (thestar.com)
grumpy-cowboy shared this article from the Toronto Star:: A spokesperson for Google has confirmed the service they've launched in Vancouver and Toronto to connect potential customers to trusted service providers funnels customers through ostensibly local phone numbers that are actually owned by Google for the purpose of call monitoring.
Google Local Services is an addition to its search platform that connects potential customers to local service providers who pay for the advertising. It launched in Toronto and Vancouver last December for locksmiths and heating, cooling and ventilation professionals. When someone in Toronto searches for a locksmith, for example, they'll see some service providers with green check marks next to the company name, meaning they've been vetted by Google.
The number next to the listing has a local area code, but that's not the business' real contact info. Instead, it's a dummy Google number that will route you to the business -- after informing you that it will be recording anything you say.
Google Local Services is an addition to its search platform that connects potential customers to local service providers who pay for the advertising. It launched in Toronto and Vancouver last December for locksmiths and heating, cooling and ventilation professionals. When someone in Toronto searches for a locksmith, for example, they'll see some service providers with green check marks next to the company name, meaning they've been vetted by Google.
The number next to the listing has a local area code, but that's not the business' real contact info. Instead, it's a dummy Google number that will route you to the business -- after informing you that it will be recording anything you say.
Hey Google, Evil much?
Search for Locksmith Google Maps -- https://www.google.com/search?q=locksmith+google+maps -- you'll find lots of news articles about scams.
This is one way that Google Maps team is attempting to protect its users. It's a constant battle.
Posting as A/C because I work for Google.
There are only handful of possible reasons I can think of for Google doing this:
* This is a trial run to verify rating information before mass deployment (seems like an unlikely venue for such a thing). ;)
* They are gathering data to improve a real-time English-French translation project. (real possibility)
* They are gathering data of common questions people call and ask to put on their site. (real possibility)
* They are gathering data to improve their voice tech (that everyone thought was creepy and nobody wanted) that is intended to interact with shops. (seems unlikely now)
* They got wind of Canada's plan for world domination and they want in.
Any other ideas why they would do this?
Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
Companies like Service Titan and Jobber do this too. It allows the person taking the call to receive a popup in their web browser with customer details (particularly useful for repeat customers). It's also handy to be able to review the call after the fact for details about the job without bothering the customer.
There's nothing malicious here, phone numbers haven't been 'local' since the FCC mandated number portability.
Just because you disagree doesn't mean it's not true.
This is a valuable service for which Google will be well paid. Google knows the customer, Google knows the company, and both trust Google. Google can help make the sale and the company will pay far more than a for regular ad in search results.
This is a simple extension of a long existing referral method. Decades ago I was a building contractor doing well, having fun. Then I had an opportunity to contract with Sears; the biggest and most trusted retailer in the US. Sounded great. They put a phone in my office and whenever it rang, I responded with the Sears name. The phone rang a lot and I got lots of work from those Sears customers.
But Sears took 25% of the gross sale. So I had to charge their customers a lot more than my customers. They trusted Sears and it cost them plenty. Today the Home Depot stores offer similar services delivered by outside companies. Beware of high prices but expect good service.
Google will be well paid for this service also.
...omphaloskepsis often...
...when a company says that they may/are recording I say "So am I!" whether I am or not. The skeevier places will immediately hang up.
>"How is it fake if it connects to the business?"
At least partially fake, if not mostly, because you are being connected to someone you didn't mean or want to call. Deception was involved. And then to have them record the call it is just icing on the cake.