Case Study: Boosted Local Impressions from 18,000 to 92,000 in 6 Months in San Diego
In 2025, a clinic in San Diego partnered with Goforaeo to grow local visibility across Google Search and Google Maps and increase actions like calls, directions, and website clicks. The clinic name is anonymized due to an NDA, and the metrics below come from Google Business Profile insights, GA4, Google Search Console, and call tracking for the dates listed.
Snapshot of Results
Timeframe: May 12, 2025 to November 12, 2025
Location: San Diego, California
Before vs after results:
- GBP impressions: 18,000 to 92,000 per month
- Discovery searches: 1,900 to 7,600 per month
- GBP actions: 340 to 1,420 per month (calls, directions, website clicks)
- Website clicks from Maps: 88 to 420 per month
- Calls from Maps + organic: 46 to 168 per month
- Top 3 map pack placements: 2 to 13 tracked service keywords
Context and Starting Point
San Diego is competitive for local healthcare because multiple clinics overlap by specialty and neighborhoods. At the start, the clinic had stable branded visibility but low discovery reach. The listing was not built out for broad service intent coverage, citations were inconsistent on a few major platforms, and the website wasn’t strongly reinforcing local relevance for high intent services.
We treated this as a system build, not a one time change. We expanded listing relevance, improved trust consistency across the web, and increased engagement signals so impressions grew steadily month after month.
Tracking and Setup
Before changes, we cleaned tracking to ensure the lift could be validated.
What we tracked
- GBP impressions, discovery searches, and actions
- Calls from GBP and website (call tracking)
- GA4 conversions from organic and Maps traffic
- Search Console clicks for service pages that support local visibility
- Local ranking movement for core service keywords in San Diego
What Was Holding Growth Back
We audited the listing, website, and citations together. The clinic wasn’t weak, but signals were incomplete and not aligned.
Key issues found
- Categories and services in GBP were incomplete, limiting query matching
- Services had no descriptions, reducing discovery coverage
- Photos and posts were inconsistent, lowering engagement
- Some citations had small NAP formatting differences and outdated hours
- Website service pages were thin and didn’t match how people search
- Internal linking didn’t push authority to top local service pages
- CTAs were not clear enough on mobile, lowering action rate
Strategy Overview
We used a three lever approach that works well in local SEO.
Workstreams
- Build out GBP for relevance and service coverage
- Fix trust signals through citations and consistency
- Improve engagement through posts, photos, reviews, and better CTAs
- Support the listing with stronger service pages and internal linking
- Track weekly and refine based on real query movement
Google Business Profile Rebuild
We treated GBP as the main landing page because many patients convert directly from Maps.
What we changed
- Updated primary and secondary categories based on real demand
- Expanded services and added short descriptions using search language
- Improved business description with clear services and booking steps
- Updated attributes and appointment links with UTM tracking
- Started weekly posts around availability, insurance, seasonal care, and common conditions
- Added consistent photos: exterior, interior, staff, and service context
- Improved Q and A with common booking questions
Why this increased impressions
When categories and services are complete, Google can match the listing to more searches. When engagement improves, Google often shows the profile more consistently.
Citation Cleanup and Local Consistency
Citations matter most when they are wrong or inconsistent. We fixed the biggest platforms first and removed duplicates.
What we fixed
- Standardized NAP to one approved format everywhere
- Updated hours and website URL across major platforms
- Removed duplicates and merged listings where possible
- Added niche directories where key competitors had coverage
Website Improvements That Supported Local Growth
A strong listing performs better when the website confirms the same services and location intent. We improved service pages and internal linking so the website reinforced local relevance.
On site updates
- Expanded core service pages with symptoms, who it’s for, and when to book sections
- Added FAQs from Search Console queries to capture long tail clicks
- Improved titles and meta descriptions to increase CTR
- Strengthened internal linking into priority services
- Improved speed by compressing images and removing unused scripts
- Added LocalBusiness and FAQ schema where eligible
Reviews and Trust Signals
We improved review velocity and response cadence with a compliant workflow.
Review work
- Compliant review request workflow tied to patient follow ups
- Response templates that stayed personal and human
- Consistent response cadence to keep reviews fresh
- Added trust cues near CTAs such as credentials and process clarity
Tools Used
Google Business Profile insights, GA4, Google Search Console, call tracking, Looker Studio, BrightLocal or Whitespark, Screaming Frog, PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse, Microsoft Clarity or Hotjar.
Timeline With Dates, Monthly Numbers, and Natural Notes
May 12 to May 31, 2025
We completed the audit, cleaned tracking, fixed quick listing gaps, and started citation cleanup. The first priority was making sure categories, services, and conversion links were set correctly.
Month end metrics:
- GBP impressions: ~18,000
- Discovery searches: ~1,900
- GBP actions: ~340
June 2025
We expanded services with descriptions, improved the business description, and started weekly posts plus consistent photos to improve engagement. Citation cleanup continued on the largest platforms.
Month end metrics:
- GBP impressions: ~29,400
- Discovery searches: ~2,700
- GBP actions: ~480
July 2025
We improved website service pages and internal linking while continuing citation fixes and duplicate cleanup. This gave Google stronger supporting signals beyond the listing.
Month end metrics:
- GBP impressions: ~41,800
- Discovery searches: ~3,800
- GBP actions: ~680
August 2025
We launched a review workflow, expanded FAQs using live query data, and refined CTAs so actions rose along with impressions. GBP posting and photos stayed consistent.
Month end metrics:
- GBP impressions: ~56,900
- Discovery searches: ~5,100
- GBP actions: ~910
September 2025
We doubled down on the services gaining traction, refined titles and snippets for better clicks, and strengthened internal links into the highest value services.
Month end metrics:
- GBP impressions: ~72,400
- Discovery searches: ~6,300
- GBP actions: ~1,160
October 12 to November 12, 2025
We focused on stability, improved mobile CTAs, maintained GBP engagement, and kept citations clean so rankings and impressions held without volatility.
Month end metrics:
- GBP impressions: ~92,000
- Discovery searches: ~7,600
- GBP actions: ~1,420
Before and After Proof Summary
Impressions increased because GBP was built out for more service intent coverage, citations became consistent, and the website reinforced local relevance. Engagement stayed strong due to posts, photos, and reviews, so visibility compounded.
- GBP impressions: 18,000 to 92,000 per month
- Discovery searches: 1,900 to 7,600 per month
- GBP actions: 340 to 1,420 per month
- Calls from Maps + organic: 46 to 168 per month
What Made It Work
The main driver was alignment. Once GBP services, citations, and service pages all matched San Diego search intent, Google showed the clinic more often. Consistent engagement signals protected gains and reduced week to week swings.