A call buffer is the minimum talk time a transferred call must reach before it becomes billable. In pay-per-call programs it is the single most important term in the campaign, because it decides which calls the buyer pays for.
Why buffers work
- Buyers only pay for conversations long enough to qualify and pitch.
- Publishers get a clear, measurable definition of a successful transfer.
- Agents stop spending time on misdials and hang-ups that were never real prospects.
Choosing the right buffer
Start from your own data: look at the talk time where qualified conversations typically begin, and set the buffer just above it. Many final-expense programs start around 90 seconds; shorter service calls may justify less.
Make it measurable
Every call record should carry ring time, talk time and the buffer that applied when it was logged, so billing disputes can be settled from data rather than memory.