Common local search advice can put your clinic at risk.

What decides the map results

Google ranks local results on 3 things.

Relevance is how well your profile fits the search. Distance is how far away you are. Prominence is how well known you are. Nobody can pay for a better spot.

The split few people see

Two of the 3 carry no rule risk for you.

Relevance is fully yours and safe. Distance you cannot change. Prominence is the only one with AHPRA risk, because reviews feed it. Most clinics spend all their effort there.

Is your Google profile an ad?

By AHPRA's own definition, yes.

AHPRA counts any post that draws people to a health service as an ad. Your Google profile does just that. AHPRA even names search engines as a home for reviews.

Where the rules clash

Your reply to a review can turn it into an ad.

You need not remove testimonials on sites you do not control. But AHPRA warns you to take care when you reply there. A reply may count as using the review.

The clinical test

Fewer reviews are testimonials than you think.

A review is a testimonial if it talks about a symptom, a diagnosis, the care or the result. That includes your skill. Comments on service or manner do not count.

The part clinics get backwards

You are still allowed to ask for reviews.

AHPRA says the rule does not stop patients sharing their views or posting reviews. The breach is never the patient writing. It is the practice using the review.

Where to put your effort

Win on relevance, which carries none of this risk.

Fill every field and pick your main category with care. Match your name and address to your website. Photograph your premises, never patients. Build a real page for each location.

What to do

Sort each review before you reply.

Check for a symptom, a diagnosis, the care or the result. If none appear, reply normally. If they do, keep your reply to the practice. Never repeat the claim.

Tap below for the full checklist.