Latest / The Clinic Marketing Podcast | Local SEO & Healthcare Online Marketing Tips for Clinic Owners & Wellness Providers / 2 Google Business Profile Settings Every Clinic Should Review Today (Plus a Free Tool)

Transcript

2 Google Business Profile Settings Every Clinic Should Review Today (Plus a Free Tool) · The Clinic Marketing Podcast | Local SEO & Healthcare Online Marketing Tips for Clinic Owners & Wellness Providers

• 0:26
  Darcy Happy AI try: Let me ask you something.
• 0:27
  Darcy Happy AI try: When was the last time you looked at your Google Business Profile categories and services?
• 0:32
  Darcy Happy AI try: Not your reviews.
• 0:34
  Darcy Happy AI try: Not your photos.
• 0:36
  Darcy Happy AI try: Your categories.
• 0:37
  Darcy Happy AI try: If you’re thinking,“Probably when we set everything up,” you’re in good company.
• 0:43
  Darcy Happy AI try: You picked something that sounded right, added your information, and moved on.
• 0:47
  Darcy Happy AI try: It felt done.
• 0:49
  Darcy Happy AI try: But since then, you may have added a provider, introduced a treatment, or changed the focus of your practice.
• 0:56
  Darcy Happy AI try: Does your Google Business Profile reflect those changes?
• 1:00
  Darcy Happy AI try: Today, we’re reviewing two settings: your categories and your services.
• 1:05
  Darcy Happy AI try: And we just built a free tool to help with the category piece: Propel’s Google Business Profile Category Finder for Clinics.
• 1:13
  Darcy Happy AI try: You can search category names, explore options for your specialty, and compare them with what’s currently on your profile.
• 1:21
  Darcy Happy AI try: I’ll put the link in the show notes and walk you through it today.
• 1:24
  Darcy Happy AI try: Even if your profile has been set up for years, this is worth a second look.
• 1:29
  Darcy Happy AI try: Hey there, and welcome back to The Clinic Marketing Podcast! I’m Darcy Sullivan, from Propel Marketing and Design.
• 1:37
  Darcy Happy AI try: We’ve been helping businesses get found online since 2011, and we help clinic owners strengthen their websites, local SEO, and online visibility.
• 1:47
  Darcy Happy AI try: Here’s something we see all the time when we review clinics’ Google Business Profiles.
• 1:52
  Darcy Happy AI try: The owner is putting in the effort.
• 1:55
  Darcy Happy AI try: They’re getting reviews, updating photos, and investing in their website.
• 1:59
  Darcy Happy AI try: But the categories are a little off.
• 2:02
  Darcy Happy AI try: Or very off.
• 2:04
  Darcy Happy AI try: Or the services section describes the practice as it looked several years ago.
• 2:09
  Darcy Happy AI try: Or they haven’t even added services.
• 2:12
  Darcy Happy AI try: Sometimes the information is inaccurate.
• 2:16
  Darcy Happy AI try: Other times, it’s close—but there’s a clearer, more appropriate way to describe the business.
• 2:22
  Darcy Happy AI try: So today, we’re going to look at both.
• 2:25
  Darcy Happy AI try: We’ll talk about how categories and services work together, use our free finder to explore category options, and walk through examples for different types of clinics.
• 2:36
  Darcy Happy AI try: Then we’ll review whether your services match the care you actually provide today.
• 2:41
  Darcy Happy AI try: You may find something to improve.
• 2:43
  Darcy Happy AI try: You may confirm that things are already in good shape.
• 2:47
  Darcy Happy AI try: Either way, you’ll know what your profile is communicating about your practice.
• 2:52
  Darcy Happy AI try: Let’s start with Why categories and services belong in the same conversation.
• 2:57
  Darcy Happy AI try: Think of your categories as the sign over your front door.
• 3:01
  Darcy Happy AI try: They help explain what kind of business this is.
• 3:04
  Darcy Happy AI try: Your services are more like the menu inside.
• 3:07
  Darcy Happy AI try: They explain the specific offerings available.
• 3:10
  Darcy Happy AI try: And each one of your categories needs at least one For a chiropractic practice,“Chiropractor” may describe the business.
• 3:19
  Darcy Happy AI try: The services section gives you room to explain the care available there.
• 3:23
  Darcy Happy AI try: For a dental practice, the category identifies the type of practice.
• 3:28
  Darcy Happy AI try: Services might include exams, cleanings, and other treatments the practice provides.
• 3:34
  Darcy Happy AI try: And these sections are connected.
• 3:36
  Darcy Happy AI try: Google’s suggested services can be tailored to your business type, so it makes sense to review services after checking your categories.
• 3:44
  Darcy Happy AI try: But every treatment doesn’t need its own category.
• 3:48
  Darcy Happy AI try: And selecting a category doesn’t automatically communicate everything a patient might want to know about your care.
• 3:54
  Darcy Happy AI try: You have room for the overall identity and the details.
• 3:58
  Darcy Happy AI try: One important difference: business categories come from Google’s available list.
• 4:04
  Darcy Happy AI try: You can’t create your own.
• 4:06
  Darcy Happy AI try: For this very reason we created a Google Business Profile Category Finder for Clinics tool which you can find by visiting propel your company dot com/gbp-category-finder-for-clinics And we'll drop that link in the show notes as well.
• 4:25
  Darcy Happy AI try: For profiles with a services editor, you can review suggested offerings and, where available, add appropriate custom services.
• 4:34
  Darcy Happy AI try: So if you’re searching our category finder and can’t find the exact name of a treatment, that treatment may belong in services instead.
• 4:43
  Darcy Happy AI try: Keep that distinction in mind as we start with setting number one.
• 4:47
  Darcy Happy AI try: First, open your profile and check what’s selected for your primary category.
• 4:52
  Darcy Happy AI try: Don’t rely on memory—especially if an agency set it up or several people have managed it.
• 4:59
  Darcy Happy AI try: Write down your primary category and any additional categories.
• 5:03
  Darcy Happy AI try: A screenshot works, too.
• 5:05
  Darcy Happy AI try: Then open our free Category Finder for Clinics beside it.
• 5:09
  Darcy Happy AI try: You’ll find the link in the show notes.
• 5:11
  Darcy Happy AI try: On the page, you can search directly or use the“Popular for clinics” buttons to narrow your search.
• 5:18
  Darcy Happy AI try: The question I want you to ask is:“Is this the best fit for the practice we operate right now?” That’s more useful than only asking whether the current choice is technically wrong.
• 5:30
  Darcy Happy AI try: Is your primary category specific enough?
• 5:33
  Darcy Happy AI try: A broad category may be related to your work without being the clearest description.
• 5:38
  Darcy Happy AI try: For example, imagine a chiropractic practice using“Medical clinic” when“Chiropractor” more accurately identifies the business.
• 5:48
  Darcy Happy AI try: Maybe someone chose the first reasonable option years ago.
• 5:52
  Darcy Happy AI try: Maybe they didn’t realize there was a more specific choice.
• 5:55
  Darcy Happy AI try: Your primary category should describe your core business as accurately as the available options allow.
• 6:02
  Darcy Happy AI try: For a multidisciplinary practice, that may require a conversation with your team.
• 6:07
  Darcy Happy AI try: Consider the actual providers, the care available, and the way the business operates.
• 6:13
  Darcy Happy AI try: Choose based on the practice patients can visit today—not a service you hope to introduce next year.
• 6:20
  Darcy Happy AI try: Do your additional categories earn their place?
• 6:23
  Darcy Happy AI try: This is where more can start to feel better.
• 6:26
  Darcy Happy AI try: You see another category connected to your work and think,“Maybe adding this will help us appear in more searches.” But each category needs a reason to be there.
• 6:37
  Darcy Happy AI try: Treating people with sports injuries doesn’t automatically mean every sports medicine category describes your business.
• 6:44
  Darcy Happy AI try: Discussing nutrition with patients doesn’t automatically make every nutrition-related category appropriate.
• 6:51
  Darcy Happy AI try: Ask yourself:“If a patient found us because of this category, would they find the kind of practice and care they expected?” If your front desk would have to explain,“Well, we don’t really do that, exactly,” take another look.
• 7:07
  Darcy Happy AI try: Google advises against selecting a category for every service.
• 7:12
  Darcy Happy AI try: Use the categories needed to describe the business accurately.
• 7:16
  Darcy Happy AI try: You don’t need to fill every available space.
• 7:19
  Darcy Happy AI try: Nex.
• 7:20
  Darcy Happy AI try: Ask: Is an appropriate category missing?
• 7:24
  Darcy Happy AI try: The opposite happens, too.
• 7:26
  Darcy Happy AI try: A clinic expands, but nobody revisits the profile.
• 7:30
  Darcy Happy AI try: Maybe you added another discipline.
• 7:32
  Darcy Happy AI try: Maybe an offering became a substantial part of the practice.
• 7:37
  Darcy Happy AI try: Or maybe nobody knew an appropriate category existed.
• 7:41
  Darcy Happy AI try: That’s where the finder helps.
• 7:43
  Darcy Happy AI try: Explore related wording, make a short list, and compare the possibilities with your current selections.
• 7:50
  Darcy Happy AI try: If you don’t get useful results, try a shorter search term.
• 7:54
  Darcy Happy AI try: A word like“therap” can help you explore variations instead of relying on one exact phrase.
• 8:01
  Darcy Happy AI try: Clicking a category copies its name.
• 8:03
  Darcy Happy AI try: You can also download results to discuss with your team.
• 8:07
  Darcy Happy AI try: When you’re ready to edit your profile, search for that category inside Google and select the matching available option.
• 8:14
  Darcy Happy AI try: The finder supports the research.
• 8:17
  Darcy Happy AI try: Your knowledge of the practice guides the choice.
• 8:20
  Darcy Happy AI try: Let’s make this more practical.
• 8:22
  Darcy Happy AI try: I’m going to walk through several clinic types and the category questions I’d want you to consider.
• 8:28
  Darcy Happy AI try: These are starting points.
• 8:29
  Darcy Happy AI try: You don’t need to add every category I mention.
• 8:33
  Darcy Happy AI try: And if I’m discussing another specialty, listen for the decision behind the example.
• 8:38
  Darcy Happy AI try: That same thinking may apply to your practice.
• 8:42
  Darcy Happy AI try: For Chiropractic practices For a chiropractic practice,“Chiropractor” is a clear category to evaluate first.
• 8:50
  Darcy Happy AI try: A general category like“Medical clinic” may be less descriptive when chiropractic care is the core business.
• 8:58
  Darcy Happy AI try: If massage therapy is an established part of your practice, delivered by qualified massage therapists,“Massage therapist” may be worth reviewing as an additional category.
• 9:09
  Darcy Happy AI try: But don’t add it simply because hands-on work happens during treatment.
• 9:14
  Darcy Happy AI try: The same care applies to“Sports medicine clinic” or“Physical rehabilitation center.” Working with athletes or including rehabilitation exercises doesn’t automatically establish that those categories describe the business.
• 9:29
  Darcy Happy AI try: Use the Chiropractic shortcut in the finder to begin, then evaluate any related options against the actual practice.
• 9:38
  Darcy Happy AI try: For Physical therapy practices You may see both“Physical therapy clinic” and“Physical therapist.” Compare the wording with what the profile represents: the practice itself or an individual practitioner.
• 9:52
  Darcy Happy AI try: A clinic category may describe the facility, while a practitioner category may describe an individual provider.
• 10:00
  Darcy Happy AI try: Don’t reduce the decision to team size alone; consider the profile and business structure.
• 10:06
  Darcy Happy AI try: “Occupational therapist” may be worth researching when occupational therapy is genuinely provided through the practice by qualified professionals.
• 10:16
  Darcy Happy AI try: And here’s a distinction worth checking: soft tissue work during a physical therapy appointment doesn’t automatically mean“Massage therapist” belongs on the profile.
• 10:26
  Darcy Happy AI try: Describe the care accurately rather than stretching related terms.
• 10:31
  Darcy Happy AI try: For Acupuncture practices Explore“Acupuncture clinic” and“Acupuncturist,” keeping that same practice-versus-practitioner question in mind.
• 10:42
  Darcy Happy AI try: If acupuncture is your core business, a broad category such as“Alternative medicine practitioner” may be less clear than a specific acupuncture option.
• 10:52
  Darcy Happy AI try: If your practice provides a broader range of Chinese medicine care,“Chinese medicine clinic” may be worth evaluating.
• 11:00
  Darcy Happy AI try: “Herbalist” may also be relevant to investigate when herbal consultations are an established part of what you provide.
• 11:07
  Darcy Happy AI try: The important question is whether those categories describe the business.
• 11:12
  Darcy Happy AI try: A brief mention of herbs during another appointment isn’t enough by itself.
• 11:17
  Darcy Happy AI try: For Medical spas If your business is a medical spa, compare“Medical spa” with any broader spa category currently selected.
• 11:26
  Darcy Happy AI try: “Day spa” may describe a different experience from the medical aesthetic care your practice provides.
• 11:32
  Darcy Happy AI try: Depending on the actual business, options such as“Skin care clinic” or“Laser hair removal service” may be worth researching.
• 11:41
  Darcy Happy AI try: But you don’t need an additional category for every treatment on the menu.
• 11:46
  Darcy Happy AI try: That’s exactly why we’re also reviewing services today.
• 11:50
  Darcy Happy AI try: A treatment may deserve a clear services entry without becoming another description of the overall business.
• 11:57
  Darcy Happy AI try: For Dental practices For a general dental practice,“Dentist” is a useful starting point.
• 12:04
  Darcy Happy AI try: You may also encounter“Dental clinic.” Evaluate the wording against the practice and what the profile represents.
• 12:12
  Darcy Happy AI try: Then examine any specialty-related categories carefully.
• 12:16
  Darcy Happy AI try: Options such as“Cosmetic dentist,”“Dental implants provider,” or“Pediatric dentist” need to match the actual providers and care available.
• 12:27
  Darcy Happy AI try: Treating children doesn’t automatically make the practice a pediatric specialty practice.
• 12:33
  Darcy Happy AI try: And offering clear aligners doesn’t automatically make“Orthodontist” an accurate description.
• 12:39
  Darcy Happy AI try: If you offer emergency dental care, make sure your availability and contact instructions support what a patient would reasonably expect.
• 12:48
  Darcy Happy AI try: For Eye care practices This is a place where similar-sounding terms need careful attention.
• 12:54
  Darcy Happy AI try: “Optometrist” and“Ophthalmologist” describe different professional roles.
• 13:00
  Darcy Happy AI try: Choose based on the actual providers and practice—not the category that seems likely to attract more searches.
• 13:07
  Darcy Happy AI try: “Eye care center” may be another option to evaluate.
• 13:10
  Darcy Happy AI try: If fitting and dispensing glasses is part of the business,“Optician” may be relevant to investigate.
• 13:17
  Darcy Happy AI try: And if you refer patients elsewhere for a procedure, that doesn’t mean your practice should adopt the category of the provider performing it.
• 13:25
  Darcy Happy AI try: Referral relationships and services delivered at your own practice are different things.
• 13:31
  Darcy Happy AI try: For Veterinary practices For veterinary practices, explore“Veterinarian” and, where appropriate,“Animal hospital.” Evaluate which accurately describes the business rather than treating the choice as a simple question of building size.
• 13:48
  Darcy Happy AI try: If grooming or boarding is an established part of the operation, related categories may be worth researching.
• 13:55
  Darcy Happy AI try: But be particularly careful with“Emergency veterinarian service.” Does the practice actually provide the emergency care that category suggests?
• 14:05
  Darcy Happy AI try: Are the hours and instructions clear?
• 14:08
  Darcy Happy AI try: You don’t want a worried pet owner arriving with an urgent problem and discovering that the care they expected isn’t available.
• 14:15
  Darcy Happy AI try: That’s a practical reminder that category accuracy affects real people making decisions.
• 14:22
  Darcy Happy AI try: And one last example for Dermatology practices For a dermatology practice,“Dermatologist” should reflect the actual professional care available.
• 14:32
  Darcy Happy AI try: A skin treatment business without a dermatologist shouldn’t select it simply because it provides skin-related services.
• 14:39
  Darcy Happy AI try: “Skin care clinic” may be an option to explore for an appropriate business.
• 14:44
  Darcy Happy AI try: If aesthetic care is part of the practice, investigate related categories carefully rather than automatically adding“Medical spa” because you offer an injectable or laser treatment.
• 14:56
  Darcy Happy AI try: And“Cosmetic surgeon” should describe actual surgical care provided by an appropriately qualified professional.
• 15:04
  Darcy Happy AI try: The category names may sit near each other in a search.
• 15:08
  Darcy Happy AI try: That doesn’t make them interchangeable.
• 15:10
  Darcy Happy AI try: You don’t need to memorize all of that.
• 15:13
  Darcy Happy AI try: The Category Finder page includes guidance by clinic type, so you can return to the examples relevant to your practice.
• 15:20
  Darcy Happy AI try: Use the specialty shortcuts to begin, then read through the guidance and evaluate the available options.
• 15:27
  Darcy Happy AI try: Your goal is a clear description patients can rely on.
• 15:31
  Darcy Happy AI try: Let’s dive into Setting two: do your services match your care today?
• 15:37
  Darcy Happy AI try: Once you’ve reviewed categories, open your services section.
• 15:41
  Darcy Happy AI try: If you’ve never completed it, our episode“5 Common Google Business Profile Mistakes That Tank Your Local Search” covers that starting point.
• 15:50
  Darcy Happy AI try: I’ll link it in the show notes.
• 15:51
  Darcy Happy AI try: Today, I especially want to talk to the clinic owner who filled it out a while ago.
• 15:57
  Darcy Happy AI try: Does it still match what you offer?
• 15:59
  Darcy Happy AI try: After checking your categories with the finder, review any suggested services in your profile.
• 16:05
  Darcy Happy AI try: Don’t assume every suggestion fits, and don’t assume everything already listed was carefully selected.
• 16:12
  Darcy Happy AI try: Read it with fresh eyes.
• 16:14
  Darcy Happy AI try: Add what’s actually available now Think about changes since the last review.
• 16:20
  Darcy Happy AI try: Maybe you added a provider, introduced shockwave therapy, or established a pelvic health program.
• 16:26
  Darcy Happy AI try: If the offering is now available, check whether the services section accurately represents it.
• 16:32
  Darcy Happy AI try: Where supported, an appropriate custom service may help you describe an offering that isn’t among the suggestions.
• 16:40
  Darcy Happy AI try: But the treatment needs to be available through your practice today.
• 16:44
  Darcy Happy AI try: A planned launch or a referral to another provider isn’t the same thing.
• 16:49
  Darcy Happy AI try: For practices with multiple locations, check each location separately.
• 16:54
  Darcy Happy AI try: Don’t assume every office offers the same care.
• 16:58
  Darcy Happy AI try: Remove what no longer applies The reverse matters just as much.
• 17:03
  Darcy Happy AI try: If a provider left and a service is no longer available, update the profile.
• 17:08
  Darcy Happy AI try: If a program ended or a treatment was discontinued, review that entry.
• 17:14
  Darcy Happy AI try: You don’t want patients contacting you for something you stopped offering two years ago.
• 17:19
  Darcy Happy AI try: This is a good task to review with the person managing appointments.
• 17:23
  Darcy Happy AI try: They often hear the confusion firsthand.
• 17:26
  Darcy Happy AI try: Ask,“Are people calling about something we don’t offer anymore?” That conversation may identify an outdated profile entry or webpage you would otherwise miss.
• 17:37
  Darcy Happy AI try: Use words patients can understand A service name should accurately describe an offering.
• 17:43
  Darcy Happy AI try: Where descriptions are available, use clear language to explain what it is and who it may be appropriate for.
• 17:50
  Darcy Happy AI try: You can include a clinical term and still help someone unfamiliar with it understand the basics.
• 17:57
  Darcy Happy AI try: Keep the explanation factual.
• 17:59
  Darcy Happy AI try: Avoid promising results or turning every entry into a string of search phrases.
• 18:05
  Darcy Happy AI try: And think carefully about conditions versus services.
• 18:09
  Darcy Happy AI try: “Back pain” describes a concern someone experiences.
• 18:13
  Darcy Happy AI try: An accurately named evaluation or treatment service explains more about what the clinic provides.
• 18:20
  Darcy Happy AI try: Your website can explore conditions and care in greater depth.
• 18:24
  Darcy Happy AI try: The services section should help someone understand the offerings available.
• 18:28
  Darcy Happy AI try: Next: Make the website support the profile Open your website beside the profile.
• 18:35
  Darcy Happy AI try: Can a prospective patient learn about the important services you list?
• 18:39
  Darcy Happy AI try: Can they tell who provides them and where they’re available?
• 18:43
  Darcy Happy AI try: Can they figure out how to ask a question or book?
• 18:47
  Darcy Happy AI try: Not every small offering needs its own webpage.
• 18:50
  Darcy Happy AI try: But meaningful services need enough explanation for someone to understand them.
• 18:56
  Darcy Happy AI try: If your profile lists a service and the website barely mentions it, that may leave people uncertain.
• 19:03
  Darcy Happy AI try: The team knows what you mean.
• 19:05
  Darcy Happy AI try: A first-time visitor may still be asking basic questions.
• 19:09
  Darcy Happy AI try: Clear information across both places makes that next step easier.
• 19:14
  Darcy Happy AI try: Please Make changes thoughtfully Before editing, coordinate with anyone else who manages the profile.
• 19:21
  Darcy Happy AI try: You don’t want your office manager and your marketing company making conflicting changes.
• 19:26
  Darcy Happy AI try: Capture what’s there first, then record what you change and when.
• 19:31
  Darcy Happy AI try: Also, Google says category edits can sometimes lead to a request to verify your business again.
• 19:38
  Darcy Happy AI try: Make sure you have the account access and business information needed to respond if asked.
• 19:44
  Darcy Happy AI try: And avoid repeatedly changing categories because of one quiet week or one search result.
• 19:51
  Darcy Happy AI try: A change in inquiries or visibility can have several explanations.
• 19:55
  Darcy Happy AI try: Your notes help you investigate; they don’t prove that the last edit caused everything that happened afterward.
• 20:02
  Darcy Happy AI try: Make accurate, deliberate changes rather than cycling through options from the finder to see what happens.
• 20:09
  Darcy Happy AI try: If your existing categories are appropriate, keep them.
• 20:13
  Darcy Happy AI try: The tool is there to help you review, not create pressure to edit.
• 20:18
  Darcy Happy AI try: Alright… here are Your action steps for today Set aside fifteen or twenty minutes for a first pass.
• 20:25
  Darcy Happy AI try: Open your Google Business Profile and capture your current categories.
• 20:29
  Darcy Happy AI try: Then visit our free Category Finder for Clinics.
• 20:33
  Darcy Happy AI try: Use a specialty shortcut or search for your practice type.
• 20:37
  Darcy Happy AI try: Explore the options, review the clinic-specific guidance, and make a short list of anything worth discussing.
• 20:44
  Darcy Happy AI try: Next, review services separately.
• 20:47
  Darcy Happy AI try: Look for missing offerings, outdated entries, and wording that could confuse someone considering your clinic.
• 20:54
  Darcy Happy AI try: Finally, compare the profile with your website.
• 20:57
  Darcy Happy AI try: You may find a straightforward correction.
• 21:00
  Darcy Happy AI try: You may have a question to bring to your team.
• 21:03
  Darcy Happy AI try: Or you may confirm that both sections are accurate.
• 21:07
  Darcy Happy AI try: All three are useful outcomes.
• 21:09
  Darcy Happy AI try: Bookmark the Google Business Profile Category Finder for Clinics at propel your company dot com/gbp-category-finder-for-clinics so you can return when your practice changes or during your next profile review.
• 21:27
  Darcy Happy AI try: Check the displayed update date while you’re there.
• 21:30
  Darcy Happy AI try: We’ll include the link in the show notes.
• 21:32
  Darcy Happy AI try: And if you’d like help reviewing the bigger picture, that’s what our Google Business Profile audits are for.
• 21:38
  Darcy Happy AI try: We look at categories along with the rest of the profile, so you can understand what deserves attention and where to focus next.
• 21:45
  Darcy Happy AI try: Visit Propel Your Company dot com to learn more or book a discovery call.
• 21:50
  Darcy Happy AI try: Start with the free Category Finder for Clinics.
• 21:54
  Darcy Happy AI try: Again, You’ll find the direct link in the show notes.
• 21:57
  Darcy Happy AI try: And if another clinic owner came to mind while you were listening, share the episode and the tool with them.
• 22:03
  Darcy Happy AI try: A profile that was accurate when it was created may need another look as the practice grows.
• 22:09
  Darcy Happy AI try: Thanks so much for listening to The Clinic Marketing Podcast.