How Can I Get My Healthcare Clinic Recommended by ChatGPT and Other AI Search Tools

In 2025, it’s no longer just about ranking on Google. Patients are now turning to artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Perplexity to find answers to their health questions — including which local clinic to visit.

This shift toward AI-assisted search is transforming how people discover healthcare providers. Instead of typing “dentist near me” into Google, they’re asking ChatGPT, “Who’s the best family dentist in Bondi?” or “Where can I find a bulk billing GP in Brisbane?”

If your clinic isn’t showing up in those answers, you’re missing out on a growing source of new patient leads.

So, how can you make sure your clinic gets recommended by AI? The good news is: much of it builds on the digital marketing principles you may already know — with a few strategic updates.

Here’s a deep dive into how your clinic can stay ahead in the age of AI search.

1. Optimise Your Website for AI Understanding (Not Just Google Ranking)

AI tools like ChatGPT rely on information from websites, structured data, and trusted sources. The clearer and more structured your content is, the more likely it is to be used and recommended in AI-generated answers.

What to do:

• Make sure your website includes comprehensive service pages, e.g., “Emergency Dental Care in Parramatta” or “Skin Cancer Checks in Cairns”.
• Include schema markup using healthcare-specific types like MedicalClinic, Dentist, or Physician. This helps AI understand your services and connect them to relevant searches.
• Use clear headings, FAQs, and plain language — the way someone would speak to a voice assistant.
• Keep your NAP details (Name, Address, Phone) consistent and visible across your site, including your footer and contact page.
• Ensure your website is mobile-optimised, loads fast, and follows accessibility best practices — AI models often factor in usability signals.

Pro tip: AI doesn’t just “crawl” your site like Google — it reads it. Your content should clearly communicate your services, location, unique points of difference, and why someone should choose you.

2. Establish Local Authority Across the Web

ChatGPT and similar tools aggregate information from across the web. If your clinic is mentioned in multiple reputable places, the AI sees you as more trustworthy and relevant.

Where to build authority:

• Healthcare directories: HotDoc, HealthEngine, HealthShare, Whitecoat.
• Local listings: Google Business Profile, Apple Maps, Bing Places, Yelp.
• Government sources: HealthDirect.gov.au, PHN directories, or local health district websites.
• Media and community sites: Online news outlets, parenting blogs, and local community boards.

Tips to improve your visibility:

• Write guest articles or contribute expert commentary to relevant sites.
• Sponsor or participate in local events — and make sure it gets mentioned online.
• Build backlinks to your website from reputable sources, including allied health clinics, specialists, and referral partners.

The more your clinic appears in trusted sources, the more AI tools will consider you a credible recommendation.

3. Create Helpful, Patient-Focused Content That AI Wants to Use

AI models prefer pulling from well-written, structured content that answers real-world questions. This is your chance to become the go-to expert in your area.

Examples of content you can create:

• FAQs: “What is the cost of veneers in Sydney?” or “Can I go to the doctor without a Medicare card?”
• Blog posts: “5 Signs You Need a Sleep Study” or “How Skin Cancer Checks Work – Step-by-Step”
• Service explainers: “What’s the difference between composite and porcelain veneers?”
• Location-based guides: “Best Ways to Get to Our Dental Clinic in Newcastle”

Best practices:

• Use question-style headings (e.g., H2: “What is sleep dentistry?”).
• Keep your tone clear and conversational — like you’re talking to a patient.
• Break content into sections and use bullet points where helpful.
• Include keywords naturally, especially combinations like service + suburb (e.g., “Invisalign in Castle Hill”).

4. Be Explicit About Your Location and Services

AI tools rely on clear, structured language to match queries to providers. Don’t make them guess.

How to get it right:

• Include your suburb and services in page titles, headers, and meta descriptions.
• Create location-specific landing pages if you have multiple branches.
• Use consistent formatting: e.g., “GP in Glen Waverley | [Clinic Name]”.
• Add maps, opening hours, service areas, and public transport details.

The goal is to match how patients search — especially via voice. Someone might say, “Where’s a bulk billing GP near Hawthorn?” — make sure your site reflects exactly that.

5. Keep Third-Party Listings Consistent and Optimised

AI platforms often pull business details from sources like Google Maps, Apple Maps, Bing, HealthShare, and HotDoc.

If your details are inconsistent or outdated, you may be overlooked.

Checklist for listings:

• Claim and verify all profiles (Google Business Profile is critical).
• Add a full service list, photos, and a compelling clinic description.
• Keep your address, contact details, and hours identical across platforms.
• Regularly update listings with new services, doctors, or promotions.

Bonus: Encourage patients to leave positive reviews, especially if they mention specific services (e.g., “I had Invisalign done here and loved the results.”). AI models factor in sentiment and specificity when making recommendations.

6. Get Mentioned by Authoritative Sources AI Trusts

The more third-party sources mention your clinic in a positive, informative context, the more AI tools trust you.

Where to focus:

• Industry publications and news outlets (e.g., Australian Doctor, NewsGP).
• Government health directories (e.g., HealthDirect, PHNs).
• Partnerships with local hospitals, specialists, and referring GPs.

Tactics:

• Pitch stories to local news (e.g., a new service, community initiative, or health awareness campaign).
• Offer quotes or interviews as a local expert.
• Create downloadable health resources (e.g., “Guide to Children’s Oral Health”) that can be shared or linked.

Think like a PR agency — the more you’re talked about online, the more likely AI is to recommend you.

7. Test What AI Says About You — Then Optimise

Here’s something many clinics don’t do — but should.

Ask AI tools directly:

• “Who is the best skin cancer doctor in [Suburb]?”
• “What dental clinics offer Invisalign in [City]?”
• “What’s a good family GP near me?”

You’ll see what the AI recommends — and more importantly, why.

If you’re not mentioned:

• Is your service missing from your website?
• Are competitors mentioned on more third-party sites?
• Are their reviews more detailed or frequent?

Use this insight to improve your content, listings, and presence.

From SEO to AIO (AI Optimisation)

Just like the early days of SEO, healthcare clinics that adapt early to AI optimisation will benefit most.

This isn’t about tricking the algorithm — it’s about being genuinely visible, helpful, and trustworthy in the eyes of both humans and machines.

At Practice Boost, we help clinics optimise not just for Google, but for AI search too — combining technical know-how, content strategy, and local marketing to grow your patient base in the new digital landscape.

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