Being found in Google search results and chosen by potential patients depends on how well your Google business profile, also known as your Google Maps listing, has been optimized. Here are some of the latest changes to your Google business profile and how you can optimize your listing for higher rankings on the Google map.
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What has changed with your Google business listing?
A few days ago, Google sent a notification that the Google My Business (GMB) app will be disabled (Figure 1). The GMB app is what we use to update our Google business profiles. We knew this change was on the way, but we hoped it wasn’t. Now when you open the GMB app you see a message that the GMB app is no longer available and to update your Google listing you have to use search or Google Maps.
I’m sad? Not really. I love this update. I can’t tell you how many dentists I’ve spoken to are confused when trying to access their Google listing. I understand why they are confused; It’s been a super complicated process so far.
If you are logged into a Google account that owns or manages your Google listing, which is now being called a Google Business Profile, and you search for your practice name, you can edit your listing directly from the search results. Here’s a screenshot of my search (Figure 2) when I log into my personal Google account, which is a manager in the My Social Practice Google business profile. It’s very easy and it’s one less app that you must remember how to use.
Are you logged into the correct Google account?
Here’s what to do to find out if you’re on the right account. Go to Google and search for the name of your dental clinic. Does the search result show the edit section as in figure 2? Otherwise, you are not signed in to a Google Account that owns or manages your clinic’s listing. You can do one of two things: have your practice’s Google business profile owner add you as a manager, or sign in to another Google Account.
How to add a manager to your Google business profile
Ask a Google Business Profile owner to follow these steps:
Ask an owner of your Google business profile to follow these steps:
Need a bit more instruction?
If you’re like me and you’d rather watch a video than read an article, I’ve recorded a dental SEO training video explaining the changes. Also, you may not have control of your listing. Maybe someone else set it up for you or you lost your Google account email login. If you are in this situation, this video training on how to claim your Google profile will help you to solve some of the problems and regain control of your Google listing.
How does this affect dental SEO?
One of the most effective ways to attract new patients is to rank higher on Google maps. It’s where more than half of all potential patients go when looking for a new local dentist. You can improve your ad’s rank if you regularly update it with new photos, videos, posts, services, promotions, products, review responses, a list of accepted insurance, Q&A responses, and many other items.
Now that you can do this directly from search results on a desktop or Google Maps on your phone, I hope it’s easy. If you want more information on how to improve your Google rankings, check out these 2022 dental SEO tips.
