In Google Voice, why do I have to provide my existing phone number?

Question

I would like to sign up for a Google Voice number, so that I can send and receive SMS text messages on my computer.

When I select a Google Voice number (for example, (555) 123-4567), Google tells me that "To complete setup and start using Google Voice, you need to verify your existing phone number."

I do not want to tie my existing phone number (mobile number) to my Google Voice number -- I want to keep them separate. Will providing my existing phone number for verification tie my existing phone number to my Google Voice number? Or is it simply to verify that I am a real person?

Answer 1

From Google Account Help:

In an effort to protect you from abuse, we limit the number of accounts each phone number can create.

The help page belongs to general Google account, but I believe it's the same for Google Voice.
It makes sense, since phone verification is a good way to track and limit accounts creations.

As for your question:

Will providing my existing phone number for verification tie my existing phone number to my Google Voice number? Or is it simply to verify that I am a real person?

It's kind of both - it will be tied to your existing phone number to verify you don't abuse the system and that you're most likely a real person.