Google Implies Phone Number Formats Don't Matter

Jul 11, 2018 - 7:27 am 4 by

Google Phone Numbers

You've all seen it, how different web sites and email signatures format their phone numbers. Some do 212-555-5555, some do (212) 555-5555, some do 212.555.5555, some do 212 555 5555, some do 212_555_5555 and the most annoying do 2125555555 and other variations.

Someone asked Google's John Mueller if it matters and can Google pick it up? John basically said Google can figure it out. He said to require sites that they must use a single format would be "futile" and thus doesn't make sense. So I suspect Google can figure out many types of phone number formats based on your preferred style.

John responded on Twitter saying "I imagine it's futile for any directory to require phone numbers with specific separators."

Forum discussion at Twitter.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Google Search Volatility

More Details

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: July 16, 2026

Jul 16, 2026 - 10:00 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google: Discovered vs Crawled Not Indexed Quality Issues & AI-Generated Content

Jul 16, 2026 - 7:55 am
Apple Intelligence

Apple Maps Ads Bans Home Service Businesses With Updated Terms

Jul 16, 2026 - 7:51 am
Google Ads

Google Ads Performance Max Product Reporting Now Uses All Networks

Jul 16, 2026 - 7:41 am
Google Ads

Google Manufacturer Center Removed Manual Update Or Add Products

Jul 16, 2026 - 7:31 am
Google Updates

Google: You're Better Off Without Lastmod Dates When They Are Incorrect

Jul 16, 2026 - 7:21 am
 
Previous Story: SEOs & Webmasters Visit John Mueller At Google Zurich