Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the highest-leverage ranking asset your practice owns. It's also the data layer Google uses to power the local 3-pack, Maps, and AI Overview answers to questions like "best dermatologist near me." This article is part of our Local SEO for Doctors pillar.
Primary Category Matters More Than Anything
Your primary category is the single biggest GBP ranking factor. Choose the most specific match (e.g., "Urologist," not "Doctor"). Use up to 9 secondary categories for additional services.
Complete Every Field
- Services with descriptions and (where allowed) prices
- Attributes — wheelchair access, identifies-as, languages spoken
- Hours including special hours for holidays
- Appointment booking link pointing to your consultation page
- High-quality photos: exterior, interior, team, equipment — refresh monthly
Use Posts Like a Mini-Blog
GBP Posts are an under-used local SEO weapon. Publish a post every 7–10 days: a service highlight, a new review, an FAQ, a community involvement post. Posts decay after a week, so consistency matters more than perfection.
Own the Q&A Section
Seed your own Q&A with the 10 questions patients ask most. Monitor weekly for new questions and answer within 24 hours — silent Q&As get filled with wrong answers by strangers.
Reviews Are a GBP Ranking Signal Too
See our deep dive on how doctor reviews drive local ranking. Velocity, recency, keyword variety, and your response rate all feed back into GBP rank.
Want this done for you? Book a consultation or explore our functional & integrative practice marketing program.