How you can use call tracking with a negative impact on SEO
Call tracking is a valuable tool for businesses looking to measure the effectiveness of their marketing efforts. However, many experts have raised concerns about the potential negative impact it can have on SEO.
In this post, we’ll explore call tracking and its impact on SEO, look at whether call tracking is detrimental and, if so, what steps can be taken to mitigate the damage.
The Impact of Call Tracking on SEO
Call tracking is a powerful tool that allows businesses to track and analyze the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns by assigning unique phone numbers to each campaign or source. You can use these numbers to track how many calls are generated from each source and gain valuable insights into which campaigns are most effective.
The Negative Effects of Tracking Calls
As with any tool, it is essential to use call tracking correctly to avoid adverse effects on SEO. One potential issue is conflicting information online. For example, if a business uses different phone numbers on various websites or web pages, it can confuse customers and search engines. This inconsistency can lead to decreased search engine rankings and may be harmful when used on business listing websites.
Loss of Valuable Link Juice
Another potential issue is the loss of valuable link juice. Link juice is the value that links pass on to other pages, and when too many phone numbers are used, it can affect search engine rankings. This can happen when links pointing to a page with a unique tracking number are not redirected to the original page, leading to a loss of link juice.
Duplicate Content Issues
Finally, it can lead to duplicate content issues. When it creates unique URL codes, the original page and the tracking URL have the same content. This is because minor URL variations, such as those created by click tracking and analytics code, can cause duplicate content problems. Search engines may see the duplicate content as an attempt to manipulate search rankings, which can lead to penalties.
Strategies for Mitigating the Negative Effects
There are a few key strategies to keep in mind when mitigating the adverse effects of call tracking on SEO. First, it’s crucial to ensure that call tracking is used correctly. This means understanding how it works with SEO and targeting keywords accurately. Businesses should also identify where their best leads are coming from and understand what customers are talking about.
Best Practices for Setting Up Call Tracking
To minimize the impact of on SEO, businesses should use call tracking DNI (dynamic number insertion). This allows them to identify where their best leads are coming from and understand what customers are talking about. Additionally, businesses should tie customer calls together with Google Analytics, PPC, SEO, social media, and email marketing to make it easier to showcase results.
Finally, suppose your business does not receive phone calls, and all your sales are generated via e-commerce and website form submissions. In that case, you should avoid using call tracking altogether.
Are you concerned that tracking calls may hurt your SEO? Contact our team to learn how to mitigate the damage and improve your search engine rankings. Our team will help you develop a tailored plan to maximize your SEO effectiveness.