Your Clinic’s on Google... But Is It the One Patients Actually See?

Your Profile Isn’t Complete (Even If It Looks Like It)

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Here’s what usually happens: a clinic sets up their Google profile, adds their name, hours, maybe uploads a photo—and then doesn’t touch it for three years.

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And that’s exactly how you fall behind.

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Google doesn’t just care that you exist.

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It cares how complete and active your profile is.

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To stay competitive, your GBP needs to include:

• A full list of services, not just “chiropractor”
• An accurate service area with neighborhoods and cities you serve
• A strong business description with keywords people search (e.g. back pain, sciatica relief)
• Links to your website and booking page
• Real business categories (you can list more than one!)

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This isn’t just busywork. This is the stuff Google reads to decide whether you show up—or not—when someone nearby searches for help.

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Most clinics we audit are missing at least 3 of these elements.

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Don’t be one of them.

You Haven’t Touched It Since You Set It Up

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Here’s the thing: Google wants to recommend active businesses.

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So if you haven’t posted anything since 2021, haven’t replied to a review in 6 months, and still have a COVID hours update showing… you’re not just forgotten, you’re penalized.

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Want to show Google (and your patients) you’re alive and thriving?

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Do this:

• Post once a week (clinic updates, offers, reminders, tips)
• Upload fresh photos (your clinic, your team, your signage—real stuff)
• Respond to every review, good or bad, with a short, real reply
• Use the Q&A section to add preemptive FAQs about your services

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These signals tell Google, “We’re here. We’re open. We’re active.”
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And they work.

You’re Not Getting Enough Reviews (Or Using Them Right)

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Look—people don’t just trust reviews.

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They depend on them.

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But it’s not just the star count that matters.

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It’s how many reviews you have, how recent they are, and what those reviews actually say.

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Here’s what most clinics do wrong:

• They only ask once (usually awkwardly at the front desk)
• They only ask happy patients (and wait too long to do it)
• They never respond to the ones they get

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That’s not a review strategy. That’s a shot in the dark.

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Here’s what works:

• Use an automated text or email follow-up after every visit with a direct link to your Google profile
• Ask for specific feedback: “Would you mind sharing how your adjustment helped with your back pain?”
• Get one new review every week (that cadence signals freshness to Google)
• Respond to every single review with real words— no copy-paste (We setup all of our clients with an AI assistant that does this on autopilot for them!)

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Why it matters:
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Reviews with keywords in them (like “neck pain relief in Vancouver”) actually help your rankings.

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Yes, even though your patient wrote them.

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Don’t just chase stars—chase authentic, keyword-rich stories from real people.

Your Photos Look Like They Were Taken in 2007

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First impressions matter.

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When someone lands on your Google listing, the first thing they notice isn’t your business name.

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It’s your photos.

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So if the only image on your profile is a blurry front-desk shot from your iPhone 6, you’re not exactly screaming “trustworthy.”

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Here’s what to post instead:

• A clean, modern photo of your clinic’s exterior (with signage visible)
• Welcoming shots of the waiting room and treatment spaces
• Photos of your team smiling, interacting with patients (with consent)
• Seasonal updates—holiday decor, back-to-school promos, etc.

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Real photos. Real people. Real light. That’s what builds trust.

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Pro tip: Upload photos with geotags (location data), and name your files descriptively before uploading:
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vancouver-wa-chiropractor-treatment-room.jpg
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Google reads everything.

You’re Ignoring the One Feature That Can Bring in Bookings Fast

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This one is criminally underused: Posts.

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You can post directly to your Google Business Profile, just like social media.

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But unlike Instagram, this shows up in your Google listing—right where people are deciding whether to call you or someone else.

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What to post:

• First-time patient offers
• Seasonal reminders (“Start the school year strong with a posture check”)
• Mini blog-style tips (1–2 lines max)
• Service highlights (“Now offering prenatal chiropractic care”)

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The best part? Posts stay visible on your profile for 7 days (or longer if pinned), and Google loves fresh activity.

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Think of GBP posts as little digital nudges to push someone from “just looking” to “calling now.”

You’re Not Targeting the Right Services (And It’s Costing You Clicks)

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Here’s the mistake: most chiropractors list their business category as just “Chiropractor” and call it good.

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But your patients aren’t searching for “chiropractor” in a vacuum.

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They’re looking for specific relief, and your Google Business Profile needs to reflect that.

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Use secondary categories and service listings to show up when people search for:

• “Prenatal chiropractor in Vancouver”
• “Auto injury chiropractor near me”
• “Sciatica pain relief Portland OR”

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What you need to do:

• Go into your GBP and add every service you offer—each one should get its own listing
• Add short descriptions using patient-friendly keywords (no jargon)
• Prioritize services that bring in your best patients

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This small detail can make the difference between showing up for a generic search—or ranking when someone’s actually ready to book.

You’re Not Tracking Anything (So You Don’t Know What’s Working)

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Google gives you access to insights inside your GBP. And most businesses never look at them.

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That means you’re missing:

• How many people saw your listing
• How many clicked for directions
• How many clicked to call
• What search terms they used to find you

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These aren’t just numbers—they’re signals.

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If no one’s clicking? Time to refresh your images.
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If people are finding you by “back pain help” but not “auto injury chiropractor,” maybe it’s time to add a service page.
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If calls drop off week to week? Maybe you stopped posting or collecting reviews.

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Pay attention.

The data’s there to help you adjust before leads dry up.

Conclusion

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Your Google Business Profile isn’t a one-and-done listing.

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It’s your first impression.

Your digital front desk.

Your most underused lead generator.

And it’s free.

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Most chiropractors set it and forget it.

The ones who win?

They treat it like their #1 online asset.
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They update it. Feed it. Track it. And watch the leads roll in.

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This isn’t theory. It’s the same playbook we use for our clinic clients in Vancouver, Portland, and beyond—because it works.

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So ask yourself:

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Are you showing up on Google? Or are you just assuming you are?

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Now you know what to do.

FAQs

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1. What’s the difference between Google My Business and Google Business Profile?
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They’re the same thing—just rebranded. Google changed the name in 2021. Everything else works the same.

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2. Do I need to post on my GBP every week?
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You don’t have to—but it helps. Weekly posts show Google your business is active, which helps with rankings.

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3. What kind of reviews help the most?
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The ones that mention the service, location, and results. “I saw Dr. [Name] in Portland for neck pain and felt relief after one visit” is gold.

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4. How long does it take to see results after optimizing my profile?
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Most clinics see more impressions and calls within 1–3 weeks—especially if you’ve been inactive for a while.

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5. Should I still invest in SEO or ads if I have a strong GBP?
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Yes—but think of GBP as your foundation. It supports everything else you do online. If this isn’t dialed in, your ads and SEO won’t work as well either.