[toast0]

> She wasn’t able to do so online, so immediately googled the airline, in the sponsored google results there was a toll free number to call.

Not trying to blame the victim, but this is a very dangerous pattern of behavior and should be discouraged. Ideally, Google wouldn't accept these ads at all, but curation isn't something Google will do willingly. Using contact information from a search snippet is potentially dangerous too, even if it seems like it's from the correct site, it's better to load that site yourself and use the number, etc. Or I'd look for a contact number in the booking confirmation, etc.

[archi42]

It's often faster to search the number on Google instead of typing it from a sheet of paper. Plus with some companies I often feel like they don't want you to call them, so they hide the number on their website behind some AI that points you to guided FAQs. Add to that how ads look more like organic results every year, and companies actually buying ads if you search for them... It's a recipe for abuse.

While you're technically right (and I agree with you), Google is often the most straight forward and simplest solution. I don't ever bother saving the number for our favourite pizza place...