How to Make Free Long Distance Calls with Google Maps
Google Maps and other Internet and satellite technology have taken cartography to a whole new level. With a few clicks, you can get directions to just about anyplace you would like to go. Google Maps was one of the very first services to make this technology available at no charge, and it also offers the opportunity to make free local and long distance calls. Google's click-to-call feature is not available for residential or cell phones, just businesses.
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Instructions
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Go to the Google Maps home page (see Resources below). Type in the name of the business you would like to call, as well as the city it is in. For example, you could enter "Papa John's Pizza, Lees Summit, MO."
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The Google search results page will have a pop-up displaying the company's information such as its address.
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Locate a green telephone icon in the pop-up that says "Call." Alternatively, there may just be a link next to the contact information. This will be displayed for any business that has this feature available.
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Click on the telephone icon and enter your phone number when prompted. Click the connect button. Google Map's click-to-call feature will automatically connect you to the business with an incoming call to your phone.
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Pick up your phone when it rings. You will hear the phone ring at the other end. When the business phone is answered, go ahead with your call as if you had called directly.
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Tips & Warnings
Google guarantees that your phone number is only used to make the automatic connection to the business you want to call. It does not even show up on any caller ID.
Check out Google's Mobile GOOG-411 service. It is similar to the Google Maps free long distance service.
If you use a cell phone number, your phone company will likely still charge the regular airtime fees.
