Top 10 Google My Business Tips Every Dentist Should Know
Oct 8, 2025 | by Usher
In the modern world, dental practices are facing increasing competition, not just from other local providers but also from the vast expanse of the internet. With most patients beginning their search for a dentist online, having a strong online presence is crucial for your practice's success. Google My Business (GMB) is one of the most effective tools available for improving your local visibility and making your practice easy to find on the web. Whether you're a solo practitioner or part of a larger dental office, optimizing your GMB profile is essential for Dental SEO and attracting new patients.
In this detailed guide, we will walk you through the top 10 Google My Business tips every dentist should know to enhance their online presence, drive more traffic, and convert searchers into patients. These strategies can significantly improve your local rankings and overall digital marketing efforts, especially when combined with expert advice from a Dental SEO Agency.
Maximize Your Practice’s Visibility with These GMB Tips
1. Claim and Verify Your Google My Business Profile
Before you can enjoy the benefits of a robust Google My Business listing, the first step is to claim your profile. If you haven't done so already, visit Google My Business and claim your dental practice’s profile. After claiming your practice, verify your business to prove to Google that you are the legitimate owner.
Verification can be done via phone, email, or by receiving a postcard from Google with a PIN. Once verified, your practice will be eligible for local search results, Google Maps, and will also allow you to start managing your profile directly. Without verification, your practice may not show up in local search results, even if you're ranking for relevant dental keywords.
2. Ensure Your Profile is 100% Complete
A complete profile is essential for standing out in search results. Google rewards businesses with comprehensive and accurate profiles by ranking them higher. As a dentist, your profile should include the following:
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Practice name (exactly as it appears on your website)
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Business address
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Phone number (be consistent with the number on your website)
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Website link
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Business hours
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Categories (e.g., Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, Family Dentist, Pediatric Dentistry)
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Service areas (if you serve specific neighborhoods or cities)
A complete profile makes it easier for potential patients to find and contact your practice. Additionally, filling out all sections helps Dental SEO by ensuring that Google associates your business with the right searches in your location.
3. Leverage High-Quality Photos and Videos
Google My Business is a highly visual platform. Listings with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more click-throughs to websites compared to those without images. Adding high-quality photos of your practice and team not only builds trust but also gives prospective patients a sense of what to expect.
Consider uploading the following types of photos:
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Exterior shots of your building (make it easy to find you)
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Interior photos (show the comfort and cleanliness of your office)
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Team photos (introduce your staff, dentists, and hygienists)
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Before-and-after photos of dental procedures (especially for cosmetic work)
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Action shots (e.g., a dentist performing a procedure or consultation)
A welcome video can also be highly effective. Personalizing your practice through video lets potential patients see your demeanor and the environment you create for their care. This goes a long way in building a relationship before they even set foot in your office.
4. Optimize Your Business Description for Keywords
Your business description provides an excellent opportunity to tell patients what makes your practice unique. This is also an important area to include keywords related to your services, location, and specialties. For instance, instead of just saying "We provide dental services," be more specific: “We offer family dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and dental implants in [City Name].”
Keep in mind that your description should be concise (up to 750 characters) and informative. It's a great place to explain the services you offer (e.g., root canals, teeth whitening, braces), mention your experience, and even highlight any awards or recognitions. If you’re unsure how to approach this, working with a Dental SEO Agency can help you craft an optimized description that ranks well.
5. Update Your Information Regularly
Google My Business provides a dynamic platform, meaning your information can change over time. It's critical to update your profile regularly to reflect any changes to your business hours, services, promotions, or contact details. During special events, like the holiday season or when you’re running a special promotion, make sure your hours are up-to-date.
6. Encourage and Respond to Patient Reviews
Patient reviews are among the most influential factors in how patients choose a dentist. Positive reviews on Google My Business not only boost your credibility but also improve your local search rankings. After each appointment, kindly ask satisfied patients to leave a review. You can also create review reminders via email or text.
Once reviews begin to accumulate, respond to them! Engaging with your patients shows that you value their feedback and appreciate their business. Whether the reviews are positive or negative, it’s essential to respond in a polite and professional manner.
Tip: Don’t forget to ask for reviews from your happy patients— word of mouth is still a powerful tool, but online reviews can significantly amplify that effect.
7. Create Posts for Promotions, Updates, and Events
Google My Business allows you to share posts directly on your listing. These posts can highlight a wide range of topics, from seasonal promotions to upcoming events, or even tips for oral hygiene. Here’s what you can use posts for:
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Announcing new patient specials or discounts
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Sharing educational tips on dental health
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Highlighting special events or new services (e.g., offering Botox or teeth whitening)
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Promoting blog posts or patient success stories
Posts remain live for a week, so it's important to update your content regularly. Keeping your profile dynamic can help maintain engagement and relevance in Google search results.
8. Enable Appointment Booking
To streamline patient engagement, Google My Business allows you to link an appointment booking system directly from your profile. By integrating a booking system (such as Zocdoc or other supported platforms), you allow patients to schedule appointments directly from your GMB page. This creates a seamless experience for users, increasing the likelihood they’ll convert into actual appointments.
This feature is particularly useful for patients who prefer to book online rather than call. It simplifies the process, making it easier for patients to take action, which ultimately results in more bookings for your practice.
9. Utilize the Q&A Section for Transparency
The Q&A section of your Google My Business profile is often overlooked, but it provides a great opportunity for you to directly address common questions from potential patients. You can proactively answer questions about your services, insurance policies, or any specific procedures you offer.
By managing this section effectively, you can also ensure that the information provided is accurate, helping to avoid any misunderstandings or confusion that could arise from incorrect or incomplete answers.
10. Monitor Insights and Analytics for Continuous Improvement
Google My Business offers valuable insights that show you how people are interacting with your listing. For example, you can view how many people clicked on your website, called your office, or requested directions. These insights provide invaluable information to help you understand what is working and where you can make improvements.
As you continue to refine your GMB profile, monitoring these insights can help guide your digital marketing efforts. You can even use them in collaboration with your Dental SEO Agency to assess your overall performance and adjust your strategy.
Conclusion
Google My Business is an incredibly effective tool for improving your local SEO and attracting new patients to your dental practice. By following these 10 GMB tips, you’ll not only improve your search visibility but also create a stronger online presence and a more engaging experience for prospective patients.
Implementing these strategies can significantly enhance your online reputation, and when combined with Dental SEO techniques, it can drive even more traffic to your practice. If you’re looking for expert help, consider partnering with a Dental SEO Agency to ensure your profile is fully optimized for maximum impact.
By consistently optimizing your Google My Business profile and engaging with patients, you’ll be well on your way to growing your practice and attracting more clients.
