Google Makes Calling Directly From Ads Easier

Heaven forbid we actually have to dial a phone number any more. That would be awful. Google is saving smartphone owners, once again, from exercising their thumbs by adding a click-to-call feature directly in mobile ads.Users of the iPhone and Android platforms barely ever have to dial phone numbers directly. Same goes for BlackBerries and Windows Mobile phones, if you know what you're doing.

Most of these platforms have allowed users to call phone numbers that are embedded in emails or Web pages. Ads, however, have been different. This week, Google added a new feature to its advertising tools that allows businesses to embed a local phone number within their mobile ads.

According to Google, the ads are location-sensitive to begin with, so the phone numbers embedded in those ads will be relevant to where you are. If you search for a restaurant that happens to be part of a chain, for example, not only will you see ads for the closest one, but you'll be able to call that one directly instead of some other location. Simply tap the phone number and Google will place the call for you.

Google has provided a video explaining how it works. Check it out: