Did You See My Last Blog About Google Intercepting Business Calls?
And Did You Share It With Every Business Owner You Know?
If you missed it, here’s the short version:
👉 Google is now intercepting incoming business calls using AI — and this feature is being enabled by default on some accounts.
That means real customers may never reach the business owner they’re calling.
If you did read it, here’s the next question:
Did you share it with every business owner you know so they can disable this immediately?
Because most of them have no idea this is happening.
Why This Follow-Up Matters
After publishing my last post about Google intercepting incoming calls, I heard the same thing repeatedly:
“I had no idea Google could answer my phone before I did.”
That’s the problem.
This isn’t a setting most business owners go looking for — and Google doesn’t make it obvious when it’s active.
So below are the exact steps to check and disable it, based on how you access your account.
STEP 1: Check From a Computer (PC or Mac)
This is the most reliable place to start.
Sign into the Google account that owns your Google Business Profile
Go to your Business Profile management view
Select your business
Navigate to:
Edit profile
Business information
Contact
Calls / Communications / Advanced settings (labeling varies)
Look for anything referencing:
Call handling
Call screening
Automated call features
AI assistance
Google handling calls on your behalf
Disable anything that allows Google to answer or screen calls
If you don’t see an obvious toggle, continue to the steps below — this feature is sometimes controlled elsewhere.
STEP 2: Check on Android (This Is Critical)
Android devices are the most common place this is enabled by default.
Open Settings
Go to Google
Tap Google Account
Select Data & privacy
Scroll to General preferences for communications
Open Call-related features
Disable:
Call screening
Automated call handling
Assistant call features
Open Google Assistant
Go to Assistant settings
Review and turn off any call-handling or screening options
If your business number is linked to the device, this matters.
STEP 3: Check on Apple (iPhone / iPad)
Apple doesn’t run Google’s AI at the system level — but Google can still intercept calls through account-based features.
Open a browser and sign into your Google account
Go to Google Account
Navigate to Data & privacy
Review:
Assistant settings
Communication settings
Business Profile call features
Disable anything that references:
Call screening
Google answering calls
Automated call handling
Also check:
Google apps installed on the device
Google Voice (if used)
Any call routing tied to Google services
STEP 4: Test Your Phone Line (Don’t Skip This)
After disabling everything:
Call your business from a number Google doesn’t recognize
Call from a different phone entirely
Confirm it rings directly
Confirm no Google voice answers first
Confirm voicemail still works normally
If Google answers first — something is still active.
Why You Should Share This
This isn’t just about your business.
It affects:
Salons
Contractors
Medical offices
Service providers
Appointment-based businesses
Anyone relying on phone calls
Most owners will:
Blame spam
Blame the economy
Blame slow seasons
Never realize calls are being intercepted
Sharing this gives them a chance to fix it before they lose revenue.
Final Reminder
Directories used to list businesses.
Now they intercept communication.
If you don’t actively manage this, Google will — by default.
If you need help auditing this properly or rebuilding your call flow so no AI sits between you and your customers, that’s exactly what I help businesses do.
—
Rhonda Cosgriff Web Designs
Real websites. Real access. No silent middlemen.
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