Why Google Ads Is a Smart Choice for Medical & Healthcare Clinics
Patients are searching online for the services you offer. But are they finding you—or your competitor down the street? Our tailored Google Ads campaigns help medical and allied health clinics stand out, drive qualified leads, and grow sustainably. Whether you’re a solo practice or a multi-location clinic, we know how to make Google Ads work for you.
Who We Help with Medical Google Ads Campaigns
Google Ads for Dentists
Doctors & Surgeons
Google Ads for Psychologists
Why Google Ads Works for Medical Clinics
Google Ads can be a game-changer for medical practices looking to attract new patients, increase bookings, and grow their business. Here's how Google Ads can benefit your medical practice:
1. Targeted Patient Acquisition
Google Ads targets people actively searching for your services, ensuring your practice reaches potential patients who are ready to book.
2. Local Reach
Tailor your ads to specific geographic areas, ensuring you connect with local patients who need your services.
3. Budget Control
Google Ads uses a pay-per-click (PPC) model, letting you set a budget that fits your needs. You only pay for actual clicks, offering flexibility and control over your spending.
4. Measurable ROI
Track clicks, conversions, and the cost of each patient acquisition. This transparency helps you measure your campaign’s success and optimize it for better results.
5. Fast Results
Unlike SEO, Google Ads can deliver immediate visibility and leads. Your ads start generating traffic as soon as the campaign goes live.
6. Customizable Ads
You have control over your ad content, allowing you to tailor your message to attract specific types of patients, such as promoting special treatments or offers.
7. Mobile-Friendly
With many searches coming from mobile devices, Google Ads ensures your ads are optimized for a seamless mobile experience, making it easy for patients to contact you on the go.
8. Brand Visibility
Even if a user doesn’t click on your ad, seeing it in search results builds brand awareness, so you’re top-of-mind when they're ready to book.
9. Competitive Advantage
Google Ads helps your practice stand out in a competitive market by ensuring your clinic appears prominently in relevant search results.
10. Custom Reporting
Detailed performance reports allow you to monitor your campaigns and adjust strategies to continually improve patient acquisition.
How Do Customers Search for Medical Services?
Understanding how potential patients search for medical services can help you tailor your Google Ads campaigns effectively. Here’s some key data on customer search behaviors in the healthcare industry:
Search Engines Are the First Step
According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 77% of patients use search engines to research medical services before making an appointment. This shows that people are relying heavily on search engines like Google to find healthcare providers near them.
Mobile Searches Are Growing
A report from Google reveals that 70% of mobile searchers take action within an hour of searching. This highlights the urgency many people feel when seeking medical care, making mobile-friendly Google Ads campaigns a critical strategy for medical practices.
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Patients Look for Local Providers
Google’s own data shows that "near me" searches have increased by over 900% in recent years. Patients are increasingly looking for medical providers in their local area, meaning local targeting in Google Ads is essential for driving foot traffic to your clinic.
Online Reviews Influence Decisions
BrightLocal’s 2020 Local Consumer Review Survey indicates that 79% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. Patients often use reviews and ratings as a key factor when choosing healthcare providers, underscoring the importance of an online presence in Google search results.
Health-Related Queries Are Specific
Patients often use very specific search terms. According to Google Trends, searches for conditions and treatments (e.g., "chiropractor for back pain" or "dentist for tooth pain") are common. Understanding these highly specific search queries allows you to create targeted campaigns that speak directly to patients' needs.
Search Behaviour Changes Based on Age
Data from Statista shows that younger consumers (18–34 years old) are more likely to use the internet to search for healthcare providers compared to older generations. This underscores the need for practices to target younger audiences with relevant Google Ads campaigns.
By understanding these search trends, you can optimise your Google Ads campaigns to target patients effectively and attract more leads for your medical practice. Tailoring your campaigns to meet patient search behavior increases the chances of connecting with individuals who are looking for your services right now.
Successful Medical Google Ads Campaigns Are About Keyword Intent
When running Google Ads campaigns for medical practices, keyword intent is the cornerstone of success. Understanding and targeting the right types of search intent allows you to tailor your ads for the people who are most likely to become new patients. Here's how you can optimize your campaigns for different keyword intents to ensure you attract the right patients.
1. Informational Intent
Keywords Example: “How to treat back pain”
When users search with informational intent, they’re looking for knowledge. They may be looking for solutions to a problem or trying to understand a condition.
How to Target:
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Create ads with content that offers helpful solutions, such as blog posts or video guides.
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Optimize landing pages for frequently asked questions about specific medical conditions or treatments.
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You can include “free consultation” or “learn more” as calls to action, encouraging users to book an appointment.
2. Navigational Intent
Keywords Example: “Chiropractor in Melbourne”
Navigational intent occurs when a user is looking for a specific service, clinic, or professional. They know what they’re looking for, and they want to find it easily.
How to Target:
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Make sure your Google Ads point to relevant landing pages about your clinic and services.
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Use location-based keywords to ensure your practice shows up in local searches.
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Ad Extensions like callout extensions (e.g., “Call Now!”) and location extensions can help make your ad more visible and easy to interact with.
3. Transactional Intent
Keywords Example: “Book chiropractor appointment”
Transactional intent is when a user is ready to make a decision and act. They’re looking to book an appointment or make a purchase.
How to Target:
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Include clear and strong calls to action (e.g., “Book Now,” “Schedule Your Appointment”).
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Highlight any special offers or promotions (e.g., “$20 off first visit”).
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Ensure that your website and landing pages have easy-to-find booking options.
4. Local Intent
Keywords Example: “Podiatrist near me”
Local intent is when users are looking for services in their immediate area. This type of search is highly valuable for medical practices that cater to a specific geographical area.
How to Target:
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Include your location in the keyword and ad copy (e.g., “Podiatrist in Sydney”).
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Use Google My Business to optimize your local presence and show up on Google Maps.
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Make sure to leverage location extensions in your Google Ads to directly show your address and contact details.
5. Emergency Intent
Keywords Example: “Emergency dental care”
Emergency intent typically arises when a user is facing an urgent medical need. They are likely to convert into a patient quickly because of the urgency.
How to Target:
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Highlight your emergency services clearly in your Google Ads, such as “24/7 Emergency Care.”
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Provide immediate calls to action like “Call Now for Immediate Assistance” or “Get Help Fast.”
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Ensure that your practice offers real-time booking for urgent situations.
The Importance of Keyword Intent in Google Ads for Medical Practices
Successful Google Ads campaigns for medical practices depend on how well you align your ads with the search intent of potential patients. By understanding the different types of intent—informational, navigational, transactional, local, and emergency—you can ensure that your ads are being shown to the right audience, at the right time.
To summarize, Google Ads for medical practices should focus on:
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Understanding patient intent at every stage of their journey, from researching treatment options to booking an appointment.
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Using targeted keywords that match the user's search behavior and location.
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Optimizing ad copy and landing pages based on what the user is looking for and when they are ready to act.
Actionable Tip: To ensure your campaigns are effective, continually analyze the search terms that trigger your ads and adjust your keywords and bidding strategies accordingly.
How Much Do Google Ads Cost for Medical Practices?
When you run Google Ads for a medical practice, the cost is based on a cost-per-click (CPC) model. This means you’ll pay each time someone clicks on your ad, not just when your ad is shown. However, the exact cost per click can vary depending on several key factors:
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Competition: Highly competitive keywords, like "best dentist near me" or "top-rated surgeon", often lead to higher costs. This is because more businesses are bidding on these terms to capture potential patients' attention.
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Location: Ads targeting larger cities or high-demand areas, such as Sydney or Melbourne, can be more expensive compared to ads for smaller towns or regional areas. The more people searching for medical services in a given area, the higher the bidding competition, which can increase the cost per click.
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Service Type: Specialized medical services like cosmetic surgery, plastic surgery, or fertility treatments often come with higher CPC because they cater to specific needs, and the competition for these keywords can be fierce.
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Ad Quality and Relevance: Google rewards ads that are highly relevant to the user’s search intent with lower CPCs. The more targeted and relevant your ad copy and landing page are to the keywords you're bidding on, the better your ad performance will be, which can help reduce costs.
By strategically choosing the right keywords and creating highly relevant ads, you can maximize your return on investment while controlling your budget. With daily budget limits, you can ensure your campaigns are running efficiently without overspending. Additionally, using negative keywords to exclude irrelevant searches can further optimize your ad performance and lower costs.