When Melbourne patients search for healthcare providers, they're increasingly turning to AI. "Best GP near me", "dentist recommendations Carlton", "should I see a physio or chiro?"—these questions are being answered by ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews.
For medical practices, AI search presents both an opportunity and a responsibility. Patients trust AI recommendations—especially for healthcare. If your practice isn't being recommended, patients are going elsewhere. But when you are recommended, you're receiving pre-qualified patients who've already been told you're the right choice.
This guide covers the specific AI SEO strategies that work for Melbourne medical practices—with a focus on building the trust signals that matter for healthcare searches.
What Melbourne Asks AI About Medical Practices
Real prompts patients type into ChatGPT & Perplexity
Your practice needs to answer these healthcare questions to get recommended
Why AI SEO Matters for Medical Practices in 2026
Healthcare search behaviour has shifted dramatically:
- 77% of patients now research healthcare providers online before booking
- AI-recommended practices see 52% higher booking rates—patients trust the AI's "vetting"
- Symptom searches trigger AI Overviews—"headache won't go away Melbourne doctor" shows AI recommendations
- Insurance and bulk-billing questions are increasingly asked to AI assistants
For medical practices, AI visibility is becoming as important as your physical signage. Patients who find you through AI recommendations arrive with higher trust and lower appointment anxiety.
Real Example: A Melbourne dental practice optimised for AI search and saw their new patient inquiries increase by 67% within 4 months. More importantly, these patients had higher treatment acceptance rates—the AI had already built trust before they walked in the door.
AI SEO Strategies Specific to Medical Practices
1. Practitioner Authority Building
AI systems heavily weight practitioner credentials. Make them visible:
- Individual practitioner pages with qualifications, registrations (AHPRA), and specialisations
- Publications and research—link to any papers, articles, or media appearances
- Professional memberships—ADA, RACGP, APA, etc.
- Years of experience and patient numbers—"Dr Smith has treated over 10,000 patients since 2008"
2. Condition and Treatment Content
Patients ask AI about conditions before seeking treatment. Create authoritative content about:
- Common conditions you treat—detailed, accurate, non-promotional information
- Treatment options available—explaining approaches in patient-friendly language
- When to seek help—"red flag" symptoms that warrant immediate care
- What to expect—first appointment guides, procedure explanations
3. Trust Signal Optimisation
Healthcare searches are high-stakes. AI systems require strong trust signals:
- AHPRA registration numbers prominently displayed
- Practice accreditation—AGPAL, QIP, etc.
- Patient reviews with responses—showing you engage with feedback
- Clear contact and emergency information
- Privacy policy and patient rights
4. Local Healthcare Network Presence
AI systems verify local presence through connections:
- Hospital affiliations where practitioners have admitting rights
- Referral network mentions—specialists you work with
- Local health directory listings—HealthEngine, HotDoc, etc.
- Medicare and insurance information—bulk billing status, health fund acceptance
Free Melbourne Medical Practices AI Visibility Audit
Find out exactly how your business currently appears (or doesn't appear) in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews. We'll show you the specific opportunities to get recommended.
Book A Call →Melbourne Healthcare Industry Snapshot 2026
Sources: AHPRA, Medicare, Department of Health 2024-25
Top AI Search Categories for Melbourne Healthcare
Create service pages for each category you offer with bulk billing/Medicare info
Where AI Finds Melbourne Medical Practices
AI systems cross-reference these platforms when recommending healthcare providers. AHPRA verification is weighted heavily.
Healthcare Booking Platforms
- HotDoc - #1 for AI citations
- HealthEngine - Patient reviews
- Healthshare - Provider directory
- Whitecoat - Specialist listings
Professional Registries
- AHPRA - Practitioner register (critical)
- RACGP - GP directory
- APA - Physio association
- Specialist College - Your specialty
Review & Local Platforms
- Google Business Profile - Critical reviews
- Word of Mouth Online - Healthcare focus
- RateMDs - Doctor reviews
- ProductReview - Practice reviews
Pro Tip: HotDoc profiles with "Online Booking Available" and bulk billing information are 3x more likely to be recommended by AI. Ensure your HotDoc listing shows real-time availability and Medicare billing status.
Getting Started: Your First Steps
Ready to get your business recommended by AI? Here's your action plan:
- Audit your current AI visibility—ask ChatGPT and Perplexity questions your customers would ask and see if you appear
- Optimise your Google Business Profile—this feeds directly into AI systems
- Implement basic schema markup—LocalBusiness at minimum, ideally with Service and FAQPage schemas
- Create FAQ content—answer the questions your customers ask, structured for AI recommendation
- Generate reviews consistently—aim for 2-5 new Google reviews per month
- Build local citations—get listed on industry directories with consistent information
Or, let us handle it for you. Our team specialises in AI SEO for Melbourne businesses, with specific experience helping When Melbourne patients search for healthcare providers, they're increasingly turning to AI. "Best GP near me", "dentist recommendations Carlton", "should I see a physio or chiro?" and other medical businesses dominate AI search.