About unwanted calls

Unwanted calls are the calls that you receive from Google users to enquire about the products or services that may differ from what you offer.

When you're running call-only ads or call assets, Google shows your ad against a specific set of keywords that you provide when setting up your campaign. People can click your ads or assets, and initiate a phone call to your business. However, you may receive unwanted calls if your ad appears in search results for keywords that aren’t related to your business. Learn more about where your ads can appear

Reasons for unwanted calls

If you're receiving unwanted calls after adding your phone number to a Google Ads campaign, it might be because your call-only ad or call asset is showing as a search result for a general keyword, and the lead wasn't sufficiently qualified.

Example

A home security provider bidding on the keyword 'security' may receive unwanted calls from ad searches such as 'social security'. Similarly, a home insurance provider who targets the keyword 'insurance' may receive unwanted calls from users looking for car insurance.

Actions to avoid unwanted calls

You can improve your keyword list by adding terms and phrases that suit the specific needs of your business. Revising your keyword list will help you better control when your ad is shown in search results. Try removing general keywords that may cause your ads to appear in unrelated searches. Learn more about building a keyword list

Adding, editing and removing keywords can also optimise the overall performance of your campaign. Learn more about optimising your keyword list

If you're using an agency, contact them to adjust the targeting in your Google Ads campaign to reduce the number of unwanted calls.

You can also disable your call-only ad or call asset. Learn more about pausing and resuming your ads

Was this helpful?

How can we improve it?
true
Reach your marketing goals with Google Ads

Google Ads can help you make the most of your online marketing efforts with tools to help you succeed. Learn more from success stories to see what others have achieved with the help of the right campaigns for their goals.

Get started

or call +1 (855) 500 2754 to get started

Search
Clear search
Close search
Google apps
Main menu
15538669267260020947
true
Search Help Centre
true
true
true
true
true
73067
false
false
false