Breaking Down SEO, GEO, and LLM Optimization

Anyone in healthcare or online these days has undoubtedly seen references to AI or artificial intelligence. It’s everywhere from critical medical evaluation to mundane meal planning, but the integration of AI is also making a noticeable impact on marketing – and dentists will want to understand the basics.

For years, search engine optimization (SEO) has been the go-to marketing tool for increasing organic web traffic and improving search ranking. Keywords such as ‘family dentist near me’ or ‘dental implants’ were commonly used to wave a proverbial flag at Google, hoping to be found and seen by prospective patients. Advanced digital tools like website retargeting and geofencing have expanded that capability, providing even better opportunities for patient acquisition.

Now, the explosion of AI use in every sector has transformed SEO and your approach to marketing must adjust accordingly. In addition to SEO, let’s break down the newest acronyms to enter the conversation: GEO and LLMO.

Is SEO Still Important in Dental Marketing?

Definitely. Search engine optimization utilizes algorithms to drive potential patients to your website and (ideally) rank you higher on Google and other search platforms. Relevance and reputation are the main components that determine results when people search for a local dentist. Factor in:

• Keywords and relevant terms.
• The inclusion of links and backlinks.
• Web-friendly images with alt text and tags.
• Mobile responsiveness.
• Dedicated pages for services.

Great content should preclude the need to spend excessively on Google ads.

What is GEO and Do You Need It?

While Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is new on the marketing scene, the principles are ultimately the same as SEO; create quality content, demonstrate your authority, and be conscious of the technical factors mentioned above.

However, as more people use AI engines like ChatGPT or Claude for a broad range of inquiries, the focus of GEO is to get your practice included within the AI-generated responses. This includes Google’s AI Overviews which everyone now sees at the top of a search page; for better or for worse, they may go no further down for additional results.

In other words, if a potential patient asks an AI chatbot, “Who is the best implant dentist in Hometown, USA?”, your well-structured, knowledgeable website content could place you in the generative results.

The Ultimate Goal of LLM Optimization

AI technology for generative engines like GPT and Gemini is called Large Language Model – or LLM. These systems are trained on vast amounts of text and data, so they are able to understand context and generate human-like responses, among other tasks.

Optimization of LLM has evolved from SEO and overlaps with GEO, but it goes above and beyond ranking on search results. The objective is to create credible, structured, and branded content that is recommended and cited within the AI responses.

By providing valuable content to both humans and AI, your online visibility improves along with the opportunity to be included in the conversation.

Acronyms for Successful Marketing

SEO isn’t dead, but it is evolving. Whether potential patients use AI or traditional online avenues to find a new dentist, the search experience has changed. Are they finding your practice?

RAMP (Results-Driven Advertising & Marketing Professionals) understands the acronyms that spell success in today’s digital landscape. From AI to PPC to LLM, we’re dedicated to helping dental professionals improve their ROI and meet their KPIs. Schedule a free marketing strategy today!