Chiropractic
June 6, 2025

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

Let’s be real—if someone Googles “chiropractor near me,” your clinic probably shows up somewhere.

But are you the first thing they see?

Or are you sitting just low enough to never get clicked?

Most chiropractors assume their online presence is “fine.”

But here’s what we’ve learned working with dozens of clinics across Vancouver and Portland:

Showing up on Google isn’t the same as getting chosen.

And when patients are searching with urgency—back pain flaring up, insurance deadline approaching—they’re not digging through listings.

They’re clicking one of the top 3.

That’s where this post comes in.

We’re breaking down exactly how your Google Business Profile (GBP) either puts you in the spotlight… or leaves you watching your competitors get all the calls.

Let’s fix it.

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

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.

And that’s exactly how you fall behind.

Google doesn’t just care that you exist.

It cares how complete and active your profile is.

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!)

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.

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

Don’t be one of them.

You Haven’t Touched It Since You Set It Up

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

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.

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

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

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

And they work.

Local Pulse Insight
Pulse Check:
Most chiropractors know they need marketing—but don’t know where to begin, or worse, waste time and money on scattered efforts that never really stick.
Why it matters:
Without a clear foundation, you’ll be chasing tactics with no real strategy. A proper digital presence means you get found, trusted, and chosen—before someone else does.
Let's Fix That
Try This Next:
Start by tightening up your Google Business Profile. Get your name, hours, reviews, photos, and services dialed in. It’s the quickest win to show up when someone searches “chiropractor near me.”
Why it matters:
Local search = high-intent patients. When someone’s in pain, they’re not browsing—they’re booking. A clear, optimized presence means you’re the one they call first.

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

Look—people don’t just trust reviews.

They depend on them.

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

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

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

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

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!)

Why it matters:

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

Yes, even though your patient wrote them.

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

What Most Get Wrong

They copy big clinics or generic advice—posting random social content, running unfocused ads, or skipping SEO entirely. It’s not that it doesn’t work—it’s just not built for them.

Where You Can Win

Start simple, local, and strategic. Nail your local SEO, build trust with consistent Google reviews, and set up automations that follow up with leads fast. You don’t need to do more—you need to do it smarter.

Your Photos Look Like They Were Taken in 2007

First impressions matter.

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

It’s your photos.

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

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.

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

Pro tip: Upload photos with geotags (location data), and name your files descriptively before uploading:

vancouver-wa-chiropractor-treatment-room.jpg

Google reads everything.

Rank Higher Without the Guesswork

Learn the exact 3-step system we use to help local businesses climb the Google ladder and get found by real customers—fast.

Inside the Guide: What You’ll Get

From proven SEO basics to advanced, AI-powered tactics, this guide gives you a clear roadmap to rank your business and bring in better leads—without needing to be a tech expert.

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

This one is criminally underused: Posts.

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

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

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”)

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

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)

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

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

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

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”

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

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)

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

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

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

If no one’s clicking? Time to refresh your images.

If people are finding you by “back pain help” but not “auto injury chiropractor,” maybe it’s time to add a service page.

If calls drop off week to week? Maybe you stopped posting or collecting reviews.

Pay attention.

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

Conclusion

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

It’s your first impression.

Your digital front desk.

Your most underused lead generator.

And it’s free.

Most chiropractors set it and forget it.

The ones who win?

They treat it like their #1 online asset.

They update it. Feed it. Track it. And watch the leads roll in.

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

So ask yourself:

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

Now you know what to do.

FAQs

1. What’s the difference between Google My Business and Google Business Profile?

They’re the same thing—just rebranded. Google changed the name in 2021. Everything else works the same.

2. Do I need to post on my GBP every week?

You don’t have to—but it helps. Weekly posts show Google your business is active, which helps with rankings.

3. What kind of reviews help the most?

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.

4. How long does it take to see results after optimizing my profile?

Most clinics see more impressions and calls within 1–3 weeks—especially if you’ve been inactive for a while.

5. Should I still invest in SEO or ads if I have a strong GBP?

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.

Your Business Deserves to Be Found

With the right strategy, showing up first isn’t luck—it’s a system. Start ranking, get seen, and turn searches into customers.

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