Why Is Google Maps Optimization Important?
Dentists seeking an advantage in an increasingly competitive digital landscape know that having a robust online presence has become more of a necessity than a luxury. Visibility on Google Maps can influence patient acquisition and retention, making it a key factor in effective local SEO for dentists. A nice and conspicuous presence ensures that your practice is the first point of contact for patients in your area. Simply put: more eyes on your practice means more patients in the dental chair, which is why ranking on Google Maps for dentists is critical.
If you’re a savvy dentist (which we’ll assume you are—why else would you be here??) then we invite you to join industry experts Adrian Lefler of My Social Practice and Len Tau, CEO of Raving Patients for a webinar discussing the pivotal role of Google Maps optimization for dentists. Our comprehensive guide not only aims to help you boost your practice’s visibility but also to attract new patients by teaching you how to ensure your practice stands out. Grab your cell phone and follow along with this webinar to learn how to create a fully-optimized Google Business Profile that will have the algorithm swooning.
Ranking on Google Maps for Dentists: All of the Good Stuff
This webinar is designed to assist dentists in navigating the intricacies of optimizing a Google Business Profile, all with the goal of helping you rank higher on Google Maps. Adrian Lefler and Len Tau provided an in-depth exploration of the tools and techniques essential for dentists to enhance their Google Maps listings. Follow along with your phone to get real-time, actionable tweaks and strategies you can employ during this interactive session and up your dental marketing game.
Some of the highlights include tips on claiming and accurately managing your Google Business Profile, selecting effective categories to improve search relevance, and the oh-so-important integration of social media links to create a cohesive online identity. If you’re interested in ranking on Google Maps, we’ve got you covered.
What You’ll Learn: How to Rank Like a Pro on Google Maps
If you’re ready to master the art of Google Maps domination, this webinar has everything you need from foundational setup to advanced optimization strategies that give your dental practice a real competitive edge. Here’s a deeper look at what attendees took away (and what you’ll take away too).
1. Getting Ownership and Control of Your Google Business Profile
Before you can optimize your Google Business Profile (GBP), you need to own it. This might sound simple, but as Adrian and Len point out, it’s the number-one roadblock most dentists face.
You’ll learn:
- How to confirm ownership of your listing (and why you, the dentist (not just your office manager), should be the primary owner).
- How to identify which Google account manages your profile and regain access if you’re locked out.
- Why every dentist should manage listings in Google Maps (not Apple Maps — we repeat, not Apple Maps!).
- The difference between owners, managers, and users, and how to assign roles correctly to keep your listing secure but accessible to your team.
Getting this step right ensures that you—not a former employee, web developer, or long-forgotten Gmail account—control your online identity.
2. Understanding How Google Maps Rankings Really Work
The webinar breaks down the mystery of how Google decides which practices show up first in local search results. Spoiler: it’s not just about proximity.
Adrian demonstrates with real examples that Google looks at multiple factors, including:
- Relevance (how well your profile matches what the searcher is looking for)
- Distance (but not a perfect radius — results shift depending on population density and competition)
- Prominence (how trustworthy your practice appears based on reviews, website strength, and consistency)
The takeaway? Even if your practice is closest to the patient, you won’t necessarily appear at the top of the map pack unless your GBP is properly optimized.
3. Using Google Heat Maps to Measure Visibility
Here’s where things get high-tech (and fun). Adrian and Len introduce Google Heat Maps, a visual way to see exactly where your practice ranks around your city.
These heat maps reveal your ranking at dozens of pinpointed locations, so instead of guessing whether you’re visible, you can see your reach, street by street.
Key insights include:
- How to interpret heat maps to find “ranking gaps” around your practice.
- Why ranking second in one area but 13th in another means opportunity, not failure.
- How running regular heat maps helps track your progress over time and measure the impact of your SEO updates.
If you’ve ever wondered why a competitor across town keeps showing up before you do, a heat map will show you exactly why and how to fix it.
4. Choosing the Right Categories and Service Areas
Selecting the correct primary and secondary categories might be the single biggest influence on your visibility.
Len Tau put it perfectly:
“Your primary category is one of the biggest ranking factors. Get it wrong, and patients may never even find you.”
You’ll learn how to:
- Choose the best primary category (“Dentist” for general practitioners; “Oral Surgeon,” “Orthodontist,” etc. for specialists).
- Add one or two secondary categories strategically without overstuffing your profile.
- Avoid common pitfalls (like selecting “Dental Clinic” in the U.S. since almost no one searches that term).
Then, you’ll move into Service Area Optimization, a step many dentists overlook.
- Learn how to add up to 20 service areas in your GBP and why that matters.
- Discover why you should choose areas just beyond where you currently rank to gradually expand your visibility radius.
- Understand how urban vs. rural locations affect your ideal service area strategy.
5. Boosting Reviews, Reputation, and Relevance
Finally, no Google Maps strategy is complete without reviews. As Len explained:
“Reviews aren’t just social proof—they’re a ranking factor. Consistency is key. Aim for at least one or two new reviews every week.”
In this section, you’ll learn how to:
- Run a Google Review Campaign that fits your patient communication style (email, text, or QR code).
- Respond to reviews professionally to increase engagement and build credibility.
- Use your reviews to stand out in the coveted “Map Pack” — the top three listings that capture the majority of clicks.
The Big Picture: Ranking on Google Maps for Dentists & Why It All Works
This webinar gives you a framework you can build on. By combining accurate business data, ongoing optimization, and regular reputation management, you’ll build a digital footprint that Google’s algorithm and your patients trust.
Further Learning
Meet the Presenters:
Adrian Lefler, CEO & Cofounder of My Social Practice
Adrian Lefler is the CEO of My Social Practice, where he has dedicated 14 years to the field of dental marketing. Known for his engaging and informative presentations, Adrian has helped countless dental professionals grow their practices through digital marketing. His talks not only provide valuable insights but also entertain and inspire attendees with trending ideas and actionable tips.
Beyond his professional life, Adrian resides in Suncrest, Utah. In his leisure time, Adrian enjoys staying active through exercise, reading philosophy, mountain biking, rock hounding, and he’s a devoted college football fan. Go Utes! He always cheats at board games. He and his wife have one incredibly amazing beautiful dog, one dumb dog, and one fish named Plotinus.
Len Tau, CEO Tau Dental Consulting & Founder of Raving Patients
Chosen as one of the top leaders in dental consulting by Dentistry Today, Len Tau, DMD, has dedicated his professional life to improving dentistry for both patients and other dentists. The author of two books, Raving Patients, which was released in July 2020, and 100+ Tips to 100 5 Star Reviews in 100 Days which was released in March 2022, In December 2022, Len retired from clinical dentistry after more than two decades to focus all of his attention on helping practices increase their revenue.
Before retiring, Len operated the Pennsylvania Center for Dental Excellence in Philadelphia, which he purchased in 2007. He also consulted to other dental practices part-time while he was still in practice, training thousands of dentists about reputation marketing, leading the dental division of BirdEye, a reputation marketing platform, hosting the popular, Raving Patients podcast, and writing his two books full of actionable tips.
Len lectures nationally and internationally on using internet marketing, social media, and reputation marketing to make dental offices more visible and credible as well as how to increase their case acceptance. He also hosts Supercharge Your Dental Practice, the ultimate marketing and business bootcamp annually at various locations around the country.
