Apparently Google decided to stop offering, and eventually turn-off, phone call tracking numbers. I just received the following email from Google stating:
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AdWords Audio Ads Call Tracking Numbers Retired
We’re writing to let you know that call reporting numbers have been retired for all AdWords Audio Ads users.
As of right now, call reporting numbers still work in accounts where they have been selected. Any ads you have created with call reporting numbers should be switched to the direct business number.
In case some of your customers have your call reporting number in their files, that number will continue to forward to your business number until September 30, 2009. Then the call reporting number will be turned off permanently.
Statistics for your call reporting number will remain in your account until June 2, 2009. If you would like to have a record of those statistics, please copy them from your account before that date.
If you’d like to have someone else create call reporting numbers for you, many external companies offer this service. You can find them by searching Google for terms like “call tracking” or “call tracking numbers.” Google doesn’t endorse or recommend any individual company.
We regret any inconvenience this change may cause you. If you have any questions about this change, please write to AdWords support using this form: http://adwords.google.com/support/bin/request.py?display=categories
Thanks for being an Audio AdWords advertiser.
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If you have any insight into why this decision was made, feel free to comment below. If you are searching for an alternative to Google Call Tracking Numbers from Google AdWords, you may want to consider our virtual phone numbers, call tracking, Google Analytics Integration, & Dynamic Phone Number Insertion tools.