Today on the Podcast: Rank #1 on ChatGPT, Google, & AI Search: What PT Owners Need to Know About AI Search in Q3 2026
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About This Episode
Patients are changing the way they search for healthcare—and increasingly, they’re turning to ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Overviews, and other AI search tools to find answers, compare providers, and discover local physical therapy clinics.
In this episode, Neil Trickett, PT and CEO of Practice Promotions, sits down with Amy G, Head of SEO at Practice Promotions, to break down what the rise of AI search means for PT clinics and what owners need to do to stay visible as search continues to evolve.
We cover:
- How patient search behavior is changing with ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews
- Why AI search is changing the way patients discover and evaluate PT clinics
- Why local SEO is more important than ever for growing your clinic
- What Google’s evolving search landscape means for physical therapy practices
- How traditional SEO and AI search optimization work together
- What PT clinics need to do to improve their visibility across Google and AI platforms
- How to future-proof your clinic’s online presence as AI continues to transform search
- What Practice Promotions is doing to help 1,200+ PT clinic locations stay competitive in the changing search landscape
- The key steps PT owners can take now to make sure their clinic gets found by the patients looking for them
If you want to understand how AI is changing healthcare search—and what your PT clinic can do to stay visible on ChatGPT, Google, and AI Search—this episode will give you the insights and strategies you need to stay ahead.
Want to grow your PT clinic with smarter digital marketing? Contact the Practice Promotions team at https://practicepromotions.net/
Listen Above or Read The Summary Here:
Leveraging Modern Search for PT Practices
Neil and Amy Gray, the Director of SEO and Search Services, delve into the evolving landscape of AI search and its implications for physical therapy practices. With AI rapidly influencing how patients search for healthcare, understanding modern search is crucial for practice growth.
Understanding AI’s Impact on Patient Search Behavior
Amy emphasizes the shift in patient behavior, noting, “Our patients are not looking in just one place anymore.” Patients are now using platforms like ChatGPT, Google AI, and Apple Intelligence to ask specific health-related questions. For instance, someone experiencing knee pain might ask, “What treatment looks like for knee pain?” These platforms often provide AI-generated overviews or maps to guide patients to the most relevant information.
Neil highlights the importance of being omnipresent across various platforms to reach potential patients. He states, “The wider the net that you can cast, the more fish you’re going to collect.” This means being visible on search engines, social media, and local listings to ensure your practice is found by those in need.
Key Platforms and Strategies for Visibility
Google remains the dominant force in search, but other platforms are gaining traction. Amy advises practice owners to focus on:
- Google Business Profile: Ensure it’s 100% complete with accurate information to leverage local search results.
- Content Freshness and Authority: Regularly update your website and blog with relevant content. Neil notes, “AI strongly prefers recent content.”
- Social Media Presence: Consistently post on platforms like Facebook and Instagram as AI and Google consider social activity when ranking content.
Amy also highlights the importance of platforms like Perplexity, which focus on citation-first answers. She explains, “This is where you’re looking for brand mentions, you’re looking to be cited.”
Optimizing Content for AI Search
Neil and Amy discuss how AI searches function by looking for consensus, freshness, and authority. Neil explains, “AI is searching for the best sources for information.” To optimize content, practices should focus on:
- Providing Clear Answers: Content should offer concise, extractable answers to common patient questions.
- Building Topical Authority: Cover entire conditions comprehensively. As Amy puts it, “You have to cover the entire condition completely, not just once.”
- Enhancing Technical SEO: Ensure your website is structured to allow AI crawlers to access it effectively.
Neil advises using tools like Google and ChatGPT to identify common patient queries and create content around those topics. He mentions, “Start to type in Google, something related to knee pain or back pain and see what starts to pop up.”
Conclusion: Embrace AI for Practice Growth
Neil and Amy’s insights provide a roadmap for PT practice owners to adapt to the changing landscape of search. By focusing on local SEO, maintaining a strong online presence, and optimizing content for AI, practices can enhance their visibility and attract more patients in an increasingly digital world.
Common Questions Practice Owners Ask About This Topic:
- How does AI search impact patient behavior in healthcare?
- What is the role of local SEO in physical therapy marketing?
- How can PT clinics optimize for AI search tools like ChatGPT?
- What strategies improve visibility for physical therapy practices online?
- How is AI transforming the search landscape for healthcare providers?
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