5 Google Business Profile Tweaks Every Dentist Should Make Today TO RANK HIGHER
Our Services: Growth-Driven Strategies for Dental Practices
If you run a dental practice, chances are new patients are already searching for you on Google. In fact, your Google Business Profile (GBP) is often the first thing they see before they even click on your website.
That means if your profile isn’t fully optimized, you’re leaving patient calls, appointment requests, and revenue on the table. The good news? A few simple tweaks can make a huge difference.
Here are 5 quick fixes you can make today to help your practice stand out:
1. Make Sure Your Info Is 100% Accurate
It sounds simple, but many practices still have outdated phone numbers, old addresses, or inconsistent office hours.
🌵 Double-check your name, address, and phone (NAP) match exactly across your website, Google, and directories.
🌵 Update your business hours (especially if you’re closed for holidays).
Patients won’t call if they’re unsure you’re open—or worse, they show up and find locked doors.
💡 Why this helps you rank: Google loves consistency. When your information matches across your GBP, website, and directories, it sees your practice as more trustworthy. Consistency is a local SEO ranking factor—if your info doesn’t match, Google may not show you in the “map pack.”
2. Upload High-Quality Photos & Videos
Google prioritizes profiles with visuals. Patients want to see your office before they book.
🌵Add photos of your waiting room, exam rooms, and staff.
🌵Post short videos (like a tour of your office or a welcome from the dentist).
💡 Why this helps you rank: Profiles with recent, high-quality media send signals to Google that your practice is active and engaging. That activity boosts your visibility in local search results and attracts more clicks—which Google rewards with even better placement.
3. Collect More Reviews (and Reply to Them)
Reviews are your digital word-of-mouth.
🌵Ask happy patients to leave a review right after their appointment.
🌵Reply to every review, good or bad. It shows you care.
💡 Why this helps you rank: Reviews are a major ranking factor for local SEO. The more positive, recent reviews you have, the more authority Google assigns to your profile. Plus, responding to reviews shows activity, which can give you a competitive edge in the “local pack.”
4. Use Posts to Share Updates & Promotions
Most dentists don’t use this feature, but GBP lets you post like social media.
🌵Share special offers (e.g., free whitening consults).
🌵Announce new services (like Invisalign or sedation dentistry).
🌵Post educational tips patients will appreciate.
💡 Why this helps you rank: Regularly posting fresh content tells Google that your profile is alive and being maintained. Active profiles tend to perform better in search rankings compared to static ones that haven’t been updated in months.
5. Add Services & Treatments
Don’t just list “dentist” as your category. Fill out your services!
🌵Include all treatments you offer: cleanings, crowns, implants, Invisalign, sedation, pediatric dentistry, etc.
🌵Write short descriptions for each service.
💡 Why this helps you rank: When patients search for specific treatments (“Invisalign near me” or “dental implants in [city]”), Google pulls keywords from your services list. By being specific, you increase your chances of showing up for more targeted, high-value searches.
Final Thoughts
Your Google Business Profile is your practice’s digital front door. By taking 15–20 minutes to apply these five tweaks, you’ll:
✔ Build more trust with patients
✔ Improve your visibility in Google’s local search results
✔ Drive more calls and appointments directly from your profile
👉 Want more tips like this? At Desert Marketing, we specialize in helping dentists rank higher, attract more patients, and grow their practice.
Enjoy our free monthly blogs and check out our full library of free dental SEO resources here
Or schedule a call and find out how we can help your dentistry rank higher on Google!
Frequently Asked Questions About Google Business Profile for Dentists
1. How do I rank my dental practice higher on Google?
To rank higher, keep your Google Business Profile accurate, collect fresh reviews, add photos, and regularly post updates. Google rewards active, consistent profiles with better visibility.
2. Is Google Business Profile free for dentists?
Yes! Creating and maintaining a Google Business Profile is completely free. The only investment is your time—or hiring a dental SEO expert to optimize it for you.
3. How often should I update my Google Business Profile?
At least once a month. Post updates, add new photos, and check for accuracy. Frequent activity signals to Google that your practice is open, active, and trustworthy.
4. Do reviews really impact my dental SEO?
Absolutely. Reviews are one of the strongest local ranking factors. The more recent, positive reviews you collect—and respond to—the more likely you’ll appear in the “local 3-pack.”
5. Should I list all my dental services in my profile?
Yes. Listing specific services like “Invisalign,” “dental implants,” or “sedation dentistry” helps your practice show up for patients searching those exact treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dental SEO and why does my practice need it?
Dental SEO is the process of optimizing your website and online presence so your dental practice ranks higher in Google search results. This helps attract more local patients, increases your online visibility, and drives booked appointments.
How long does it take to see results from Dental SEO?
SEO is a long-term strategy. Most dental practices see measurable results in 3–6 months, with ongoing improvements as your website gains authority and local visibility. We focus on sustainable growth and high-quality patient leads.
Should I focus on ads or SEO for my dental practice?
In the competitive dental industry, both ads (PPC) and Dental SEO play important roles, but they work differently. Ads can deliver quick visibility and immediate traffic, but they can be expensive, especially for competitive keywords like dental implants or cosmetic dentistry.
Dental SEO, on the other hand, is a long-term strategy that builds organic visibility, driving consistent, high-quality patient leads without the ongoing cost of ads. In highly competitive markets, the best approach is often a combination of SEO and targeted ads, ensuring your practice is both visible immediately and sustainably.
Do you only do SEO, or can you help with my website too?
We do both! Our services include Dental SEO, local search optimization, content marketing, and conversion-focused website design—all tailored to help your practice grow online.
Will SEO work for my specific dental specialty?
Absolutely! At Desert Marketing, we love helping dental practices grow within their unique specialties. Whether you’re a cosmetic dentist, orthodontist, implant specialist, or general dentist, we tailor our Dental SEO strategies to target the right keywords and attract patients actively searching for your specific services. Our goal is to make your practice more visible, trusted, and successful in your specialty.
How do you measure the success of Dental SEO?
We track search rankings, website traffic, patient inquiries, and booked appointments. Our goal is not just visibility—it’s real growth for your dental practice.
