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22 SEO statistics every healthcare provider needs to read

Is search engine optimization (SEO) worth it? Absolutely!

But don’t take it from us… These hard and fast stats will show you how much SEO can return on your investment, as well as how SEO has changed over the years.

Organic Search

1. 50% of search queries are four words or longer.

New search technology is making room for queries in the form of phrases and questions. So mix it up—if you’re only optimizing for keywords, don’t miss out on patients asking which dentist in Chicago is good for old people. (Ko Marketing)

2. Integrating organic SEO efforts with paid search results on average in a 25 % increase in clicks.

Organic and paid search go together like coffee and overworked interns. Use both to maximize the impact of your search marketing efforts.

3. 72% of marketers say that relevant content creation is the most effective SEO tactic.

Don’t forget to work content creation and link-building in your SEO plan. It’s fun, remember? Get started (and get your staff started) on blog posts, videos, journal articles, and other content that can earn valuable links. (Ascend2)

4. In 2014, searchers spent an average of 1.17 seconds viewing each listing.

That’s down from 2 seconds in 2005. Make the most of your title and description—keep your description brief and compelling, and include pertinent information, such as your specialty. (MarketingProfs)

Even more reasons to make sure your SEO efforts are going to bear fruit:

5. Organic search drives 51% of traffic. Paid search drives 10%, and social media 5%. (BrightEdge)

6. Search is the #1 driver of traffic to content sites, beating social media by more than 300%. (Outbrain)

7. 60% of all organic clicks go to the top three organic search results. (HubSpot)

Paid Search

8. It’s twice as hard to get your ad seen on mobile search engine results pages.

Paid search looks different on different platforms. Bid higher and tailor your campaign toward higher-intent queries (like “downtown ENT doctor,” for instance, rather than the name of your practice) when you’re targeting mobile. (WordStream)

9. Paid search now accounts for 26% of the total marketing budget of companies that use it.

Google lets you set your own budget for paid search campaigns and only charges you when a searcher clicks on your ad. With that kind of ROI, you can afford to budget generously. (Digital Marketing)

Even more reasons to make sure your paid search campaign is on the money:

10. 64% of marketers say that search engine marketing is the most effective paid advertising method. (Content Marketing Institute)

11. 86% of impressions in paid search ads go to the top four spots. (ClickZ)

12. The average conversion rate in AdWords is 2.70% on the search network. (SmartInsights)

Mobile Search

13. 43% of mobile voice search users do it because it’s quicker than going to a website or using an app.

That’s a reminder to optimize for voice queries and not just text searches. Make sure that when a patient asks Siri, “Where’s the nearest late-night orthopedist?” her answer is you. (Statista)

14. 61% of marketers use responsive web design as part of their mobile SEO strategy.

That’s in large part because Google rewards mobile-friendly sites with better search results. Take advantage of that with a responsive design for your practice’s site. (Regalix)

Even more reasons to make sure your mobile SEO is headed in the right direction:

15. More Google searches take place on mobile devices than on computers in 10 countries, including the U.S. and Japan. (Google)

16. On smartphones, conversion rates are 15 times higher from search than social. On desktop, it’s 10 times higher. (Perform Insider)

17. 80% of smartphone owners use a search engine at least once a day. (Business2Community)

Local Search

18. The Google three-pack appears in the top spot in 93% of searches with local intent.

That’s why it’s so important to have your Google My Business profile completely filled out—including hours of operation, specialties, contact information, and specific address, down to the neighborhood, for patients looking for doctors close to them. (Business2Community)

19. 76% of local searches result in a phone call.

That’s another reason to make sure your profile is complete—desktop searchers don’t get a handy “Call” button with their results. Give patients a number to call to set up an appointment. (Business2Community)

Even more reasons make sure your local search efforts are in a good place:

20. 46% of all searches on Google are local. (Business2Community)

21. 50% of local mobile searchers are looking for basic information like a local address. (Business2Community)

22. 61% of searchers use the address or phone number in the ad, rather than the “Get Directions” or “Call” button. (Google)

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PatientPop
PatientPop is the leader in practice growth with the only all-in-one solution that empowers healthcare providers to improve every digital touchpoint of the patient journey. As experts in the healthcare technology space, PatientPop makes it easy for providers to thrive in the consumerization of healthcare and promote their practice online, attract patients, and retain them for life.

The combined power of Kareo and PatientPop

As leaders in clinical, financial, and practice growth technology, Kareo and PatientPop have joined forces as Tebra to support the connected practice of the future and modernize every step of the patient journey.

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