Google Voice

Google Voice

Years ago I tried Google Voice and I wasn’t impressed; I ended up not using it. But things change. Today, I tried Google Voice again, and WOW! This time I was more than impressed.

Google Voice is very easy to set up, it works like a charm, and it allows you to make and receive phone calls without revealing your real phone number to the person or company you’re calling without having to use the old *67 trick.

Using a Google Voice number is a great idea when calling people who you don’t know well and when calling companies you’re not familiar with. It’s also a great idea if you have a small business or side hustle but don’t have a business phone number.

Here are some of the many advantages of having a Google Voice phone number:

• It’s Free (USA only):  If you are in the USA and have a Google Account, you can get a Google Voice number for free. Google Voice is not free in other countries. It requires a Google Workspace subscription – starting at $6 USD per month.
  
• Link your Google Voice number to your phone. You can link your Google Voice number to your cell phone or your landline number.
• You can make and receive free calls and send and receive free texts to the US and Canada. Google Voice users can make and receive free calls and texts to the US and Canada. This can save you a lot of money on your phone bill, especially if you make a lot of international calls. 
• Flexible call forwarding. Google Voice allows you to forward your calls to any phone number in the world. This is great for managing multiple phone numbers or for taking your calls with you when you travel.
• Voicemail transcription. Google Voice transcribes your voicemails into text. This is a great way to quickly and easily read your voicemails, especially if you are on the go. You can have the transcribed voicemails sent to your Gmail address.
• Call blocking and filtering. Google Voice allows you to block and filter unwanted calls. This can help you to reduce spam and telemarketing calls.
• Call recording. Google Voice allows you to record your calls (where legal). This can be useful for business meetings or for personal protection.
• Call screening. Google Voice can screen your calls and let you know who is calling before you answer.
• Group messaging. Google Voice allows you to create group messaging threads with multiple people.
• Simultaneous ring. Google Voice can ring multiple phone numbers at the same time. This is great for when you are expecting an important call and want to make sure that you don’t miss it.
• Call routing. Google Voice allows you to route your calls to different phone numbers based on the time of day or the caller’s identity.
• Use your Google Voice number as your business phone number. If you have a small business you could use your Google Voice number for your business number. Publish your new business number with confidence that your real number and identity will remain hidden.

How to get your free Google Voice number

If you have a Gmail Account (and if you have a Gmail address you do) you can create a Google Voice phone number in just a couple of minutes.

Click this link to go to Google Voice

If not already signed into your Gmail account, sign in.

Review the terms and proceed to the next step.

You’ll see a list of phone numbers you can choose from. Or, if you like, you can search by city or area code.

Verify the number and enter the phone number you want to link to your Voice account. You can link a landline phone or a cell phone number.

Google will then send you a six-digit code to enter to continue setting up your Google Voice account just how you want it.

Once you’ve signed in, you can set up your Google Voice number and enable some of all its features by clicking on the Settings icon (the gear icon) at the top of the Google Voice page.

If you have an Android or Apple smartphone, download the Google Voice app. The Google Voice app makes it easy to use your Google Voice number and all of its features on your smartphone.