How to Rank Your Practice In AI Search With Citations

If your practice is already investing in correct local SEO, you're better positioned than most to rank in AI search tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews.

The fundamentals still apply: build strong citations and earn credible reviews.

The terms "AEO" and "GEO" are starting to circulate, but many dental practices don’t need to completely overhaul their strategies to keep up.

Instead, you need to ensure your existing digital footprint is actually complete, up-to-date, and strategically aligned. AI search tools rely on high confidence data spread across the web, and citations are one of the ways they validate that your practice is credible and current.

This means that if your name, address, and phone number (NAP) appear consistently across important platforms, your practice has a better shot at showing up in AI search results.

Just like a human, AI uses readily available information found online then compiles it all together, they just do it quicker than a human could.

So the more structured, consistent, and visible your practice is online, the more likely it is that you’ll be referenced when patients ask tools like ChatGPT or AI Mode to “find a dentist near me.”

Why Citations Still Matter in AI Search

Citations are the backbone of any local SEO strategy. Their value has only grown with the introduction of AI search engines. Just like traditional search engines, AI models are determining which dental practices to recommend they turn to structured information from multiple sources to verify that your practice exists, is real, and is worth showing to users.

Now with AI search, citations provide standard verification for the AI model to reference your practice. If your NAP is missing, or is too inconsistent, your chances of showing up in an AI overview drop significantly.

So how many citations do you need to build?

When it comes to citations, quality is much better than quantity. Citations on major platforms like Google Business Profile, Healthgrades, your Facebook and Linkedin, and dental specific business directories are weighted more heavily than low-use websites.

Mistake #3: Bidding on Competitor Names

It might sound smart to target your competitors’ practice names, but in reality, it is a waste of money.

People searching for a specific practice usually want that specific dentist, not you.
Winning them over takes a lot more work over the phone, and you have no idea what service they're even interested in
Competitor keywords are expensive because of how competitive they are, and this can lead to a lower quality score on Google Ads.
You end up paying more per click with little chance of conversion.

Spend your budget on intent-driven keywords like “dentist near me” or “emergency dentist.” These are far more likely to result in booked patients.

Why waste budget going trying to convince patients to go with your practice, when you can spend that budget going after quality patients with specific needs?

The Three Tiers of Citations That You Should Build

Tier 1: Essential Listings (Must-Haves)

These are foundational. Ideally they should be active and optimized.

Google Business Profile
Apple Maps
Bing Places
Facebook Business Page
Instagram Business Profile
Linked Company Page
YouTube Channel
Yelp

Tier 2: High-Value Industry & Local Citations

These platforms appear high in search results and are actively referenced by patients.

Healthgrades
Zocdoc
Opencare
Local Chamber of Commerce
BBB.org
Dental industry associations
Other dental directories

Tier 3: Supporting Citations & Aggregators

These help you increase your digital footprint.

Insurance provider directories (Delta Dental, Aetna, etc)
Supplier listings
Business Directories like Manta, Yellow Pages, and Superpages
Data aggregators like Foursquare, Data Axle, etc

How Reviews Complement Your Citation Strategy

Citations get your practice in the running, but reviews help you win.

AI search engines use reviews to get an idea of what your practice is about, what you specialize in, where you're located, etc. Google and Yelp are frequently cited in AI Overviews and ChatGPT responses.

In a search we conducted, ChatGPT told us that it used Yelp and Google reviews combined to determine who should show up as "best rated".

Reviews provide a real, human layer to your digital presence. A practice with consistent, high-quality reviews across multiple platforms will be perceived as more active and trustworthy.

AI tools are designed to surface businesses that have recent and relevant engagement. That means a 5-star review from last week is more valuable than a 5-star review from two years ago.

If your practice is struggling to build review momentum, start by targeting Google Reviews. It’s the most influential platform for both people and search algorithms. From there, encourage patients to leave reviews on Yelp, Facebook, and industry-specific platforms like Zocdoc or Opencare.

Diversifying your review sources helps you reach different types of patients while strengthening your credibility in AI search.

Sample 90-Day Framework

If you’re serious about AI search visibility, commit to this 90-day plan to start.

First, audit all of your current citations, you can do this with tools or you can reach out to us for assistance.

Look for inconsistencies in your NAP, photos, outdated service lists, or incomplete descriptions. Fix these gaps and ensure that your Tier 1 listings are polished and updated.

In the second phase, expand your presence. Claim or update your Tier 2 listings, focusing on niche directories and local directories that appear prominently in your area.

Once your listings are optimized, turn your focus to reviews. Create a repeatable process to request, respond to, and manage reviews. Aim for a cadence that keeps your profiles active but realistic for your team.

Sample Review Cadence

Use this as a starting point to start your review generation goals on the right foot:

Google: Get 1 - 3 Google Reviews every single week at a minimum.
Yelp & Facebook: Aim to get 1 review on each platform every two weeks.
Niche Directories: Aim to get 1 review every month on at least 2 or 3 platforms. (Healthgrades, Opencare)

As momentum builds, your visibility will grow. You will rank higher on Google Maps and in the AI-generated answers and overviews patients are increasingly relying on.

Final Thoughts

AI search doesn’t need to be mysterious or intimidating. It’s simply a new interface that depends on the same foundational local SEO signals your practice should already be working on.

If your digital presence is intentional, structured, consistent, and active, your practice will be in a strong position to show up more often, regardless of where patients are searching.

The most successful practices in the next 12 months will be the ones who built a clean, credible presence across the platforms that matter.

Focus on citations, prioritize reviews, and keep your SEO house in order. The algorithms, and your future patients will notice!