Healthcare SEO Case Study: 5X Local Impressions in 7 Months for a Clinic in San Francisco
In 2025, a clinic in San Francisco worked with Goforaeo to grow local visibility on Google Search and Maps. The clinic name is anonymized due to an NDA, and the metrics below come from Google Business Profile insights, GA4, Search Console, and call tracking for the dates listed.
Snapshot of Results
Timeframe: April 9, 2025 to November 9, 2025
Location: San Francisco, California
Before vs after results:
- GBP impressions: 24,600 to 123,900 per month
- Discovery searches: 2,200 to 8,700 per month
- GBP actions: 410 to 1,560 per month (calls, directions, website clicks)
- Calls from Maps + organic: 58 to 190 per month
- Top 3 map pack placements: 3 to 14 tracked service keywords
Context and Starting Point
San Francisco is a crowded local market, so small listing gaps can cap impressions quickly. The clinic had good care and reviews, but the listing did not cover services deeply enough. The website also didn’t reinforce local service intent strongly, so Google matched the clinic to fewer discovery searches.
Actions were lagging behind impressions, which usually means unclear services, weak trust cues, or too many steps to book. So we improved visibility and conversions together. The work focused on relevance, consistency, and steady engagement.
Baseline Setup and Measurement
We cleaned tracking before making changes so the clinic could trust every number. We also defined what counts as an action and inquiry, then ensured it was measured consistently. Reporting was documented with date notes so changes were explainable.
What we set up
- GBP insights tracking for impressions, discovery searches, and actions
- GA4 events for call clicks, appointment clicks, and form submissions
- Call tracking for source level attribution where possible
- Local rank tracking for priority service terms in SF
- Looker Studio reporting with weekly snapshots and annotations
What Was Holding Local Impressions Back
We audited the listing, website, and citations together. The clinic was credible, but signals were incomplete and inconsistent. Several small issues combined into a visibility ceiling.
Key issues found
- Categories were too narrow for services offered
- Services were incomplete and missing descriptions
- Photos and posts were inconsistent, reducing engagement signals
- Citations had inconsistencies in hours, phone formatting, and URLs
- Service pages were thin and didn’t match SF intent searches
- Internal linking didn’t push authority to priority pages
Strategy Overview
We used a system that grows impressions by improving relevance, trust, and engagement together. We rebuilt GBP for service coverage, cleaned citations for consistency, and strengthened website service pages to support the listing. Then we maintained consistent posts, photos, and reviews so growth compounded.
Workstreams
- GBP rebuild for query coverage and conversion clarity
- Citation cleanup and NAP consistency
- Website service page upgrades and internal linking improvements
- Review workflow and response cadence
- Weekly posts, photos, and listing engagement schedule
Google Business Profile Improvements
We treated GBP as the primary conversion asset. The goal was more query coverage and a higher action rate. We improved structure first and then maintained consistent activity.
What we changed in GBP
- Updated primary and secondary categories based on local demand
- Expanded services with short descriptions in natural search language
- Improved business description and booking steps
- Added appointment links with UTM tracking
- Weekly posts around services, availability, and seasonal needs
- Photo cadence including exterior, interior, staff, and service context images
Why this increased impressions
Complete categories and service coverage increase query matching. Regular activity improves engagement signals and makes the listing look active and trustworthy. Better engagement supports more frequent showing in competitive results.
Local Citations and Consistency Work
We cleaned business data across major directories so Google saw one consistent entity. This reduced trust friction and helped the listing stabilize. In San Francisco, consistency often determines whether visibility keeps growing or stalls.
What we fixed
- Standardized NAP formatting across key platforms
- Updated hours and URLs where inconsistent
- Removed duplicates and merged profiles where needed
- Added a few relevant niche citations competitors already had
Website Improvements That Supported Maps Visibility
The listing performed better when the website confirmed the same services and local signals. We strengthened service pages and improved internal linking so Google understood relevance faster. We also improved CTR by updating titles and meta descriptions.
On site updates
- Expanded service pages with intent sections and FAQs
- Strengthened internal linking to priority services
- Improved titles and meta descriptions for higher CTR
- Added LocalBusiness and FAQ schema where eligible
- Improved mobile speed through image compression and script cleanup
Reviews and Trust Signals
We improved review velocity and response consistency through a compliant workflow. Reviews supported conversions when users compared clinics in Maps. Faster responses also improved trust cues inside the listing.
Review workflow updates
- Compliant review request flow tied to patient follow ups
- Response templates with consistent tone and timing
- Trust sections added near CTAs on key pages
Tools Used
Google Business Profile insights, Google Search Console, GA4, call tracking, Looker Studio, BrightLocal or Whitespark, Screaming Frog, PageSpeed Insights, Lighthouse.
Timeline With Dates, Monthly Numbers, and Natural Notes
April 9 to April 30, 2025
We started by auditing everything, fixing tracking, and cleaning up the most obvious GBP gaps. At the same time, we began citation cleanup so Google saw consistent business details across key platforms.
Month end metrics:
- GBP impressions: ~24,600
- Discovery searches: ~2,200
- GBP actions: ~410
May 2025
We built out services properly inside GBP, added clear descriptions, and started weekly posts with fresh photos to keep the profile active. This helped Google match the listing to more San Francisco local intent searches.
Month end metrics:
- GBP impressions: ~38,900
- Discovery searches: ~3,100
- GBP actions: ~540
June 2025
We strengthened website service pages and improved internal linking so the site supported the same intent we were pushing in GBP. Citation fixes continued to keep trust signals clean and consistent.
Month end metrics:
- GBP impressions: ~55,700
- Discovery searches: ~4,200
- GBP actions: ~720
July 2025
We maintained GBP engagement, launched a review workflow, and refined titles and snippets to improve click through rate. This is where impressions started compounding faster and actions climbed with them.
Month end metrics:
- GBP impressions: ~74,400
- Discovery searches: ~5,600
- GBP actions: ~980
August 2025
We expanded FAQs using real query data and tightened the conversion path so users took action more often. The focus was improving actions per impression, not only visibility.
Month end metrics:
- GBP impressions: ~93,800
- Discovery searches: ~6,700
- GBP actions: ~1,210
September 2025
We adjusted pages based on what queries were rising, strengthened internal links into the highest value services, and stayed consistent with posts and photos. Rankings stabilized and visibility kept building.
Month end metrics:
- GBP impressions: ~109,900
- Discovery searches: ~7,600
- GBP actions: ~1,420
October 1 to November 9, 2025
We doubled down on what was already working, improved mobile CTAs, and kept GBP activity consistent to protect momentum. This final stretch pushed visibility to its peak while keeping actions strong.
Month end metrics:
- GBP impressions: ~123,900
- Discovery searches: ~8,700
- GBP actions: ~1,560
Before and After Proof Summary
Growth came from stronger GBP service coverage, cleaner citations, and website support for SF intent, while posts, photos, and reviews kept engagement consistent.
- GBP impressions: 24,600 to 123,900 per month
- Discovery searches: 2,200 to 8,700 per month
- GBP actions: 410 to 1,560 per month
- Calls from Maps + organic: 58 to 190 per month
What Made It Work
The system worked because relevance and consistency improved first, then engagement stayed consistent. In San Francisco, listings plateau when they’re incomplete or inactive. Once GBP, citations, and the website aligned, impressions grew month after month and actions followed.
Key takeaways
- More complete GBP services increases query coverage
- Consistent citations help stabilize map visibility
- Strong service pages improve both rankings and conversions
- Posts, photos, and reviews protect gains
Short Client Testimonial
“We noticed more people finding Goforaeo through Maps and calling directly, and the increase stayed consistent month after month.”
Clinic manager, San Francisco clinic
Disclaimer
The clinic identity and identifying details are anonymized due to NDA and healthcare privacy considerations. Metrics are accurate for the timeframe stated, but results vary based on proximity factors, competition, seasonality, and ongoing execution consistency.Case Study: 5X Local Impressions Growth