VoIP & CRM Blog TMC

Google and VoIP Inc. Testing Click-to-Call

January 31, 2006

TMCnet has learned�that Google's peering deal with VoIP Inc. reported on yesterday by news analyst Robert Liu�(see "VoIP Inc. Enters into Peering Deal with Google") is connected with a click-to-call advertising test the two companies began in late 2005.

The advertising test, confirmed by a Google spokesperson, fits with earlier reports that Google has been testing click-to-call and that users have seen telephone icons next to AdWords ads. In fact, here are�a Click-to-Call�FAQ�and a Privacy Policy on the Google�site on this very topic, indicating that at least some Google users�are able to�receive click-to-call icons on search results.

Google has been making moves suggesting that it intends to move into IP communications in a big way -- see this previous entry pointing to some fascinating articles by Robert X. Cringely about Google's likely long-term strategy.

Google's revenues come almost entirely from advertising, specifically pay-per-click or�pay-for-performance. So it's most likely that if Google is sinking a lot of resources into an effort, it must have its advertising business model in mind.

Click-to-call is a logical step-up from pay-per-click, and I'm sure that direct response advertisers will be willing to pay a premium to receive a real-time VoIP phone call directly from an AdWords ad.

AB -- 1/31/06




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» Google: VoIP Strategy is Falling into Place from Alec Saunders .LOG
Marketwatch is reporting that Google’s 8K, filed yesterday, reveals a pact with Florida-based VoIP Inc.  According to the documents: Google agreed on Sept. 1 to test voice-over-Internet-protocol, or VOIP, services offered by VoIP’s V... [More]

Tracked on January 31, 2006 7:26 PM

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