Why Google Isn’t Recommending Your Vancouver Wellness Business
Listen I’m about to drop some hard truth - it might hurt ya, but hey, sometimes we need a little pain to make a change.
If you’ve had your wellness for a few years, you likely have a decent amount of happy ongoing clients, some referrals, a pretty website and a claimed Google Business Profile (GBP).
You probs feel like you’re doing everything you’re supposed to, but what the helly…… when someone searches for your service (like “PTSD therapist in Kitsilano) in your area, your business is nowhere to be found on Google OR AI search.
This is honestly one of the most frustrating feelings for local business owners, like seriously WHAT IS THE POINT.
Might as well just post 3 TikToks a day instead (pssssh this is not a good solution haha)
Honestly, you don’t know what you don’t know (until you know).
Google won’t know how awesome and valuable your biz is until it can clearly and consistently understand what your business is about, who it serves and WHERE IT IS LOCATED (after 1 billion website visibility audits, this is HANDS down the number 1 issue I see)
Google is very particular (and a little annoying tbh).
But alas, MOST searches still start on Google, so you need to learn what Google likes, so it serves your business to who is actively searching for what you offer.
Google doesn’t have literal eyes (I hope), so you have to present your local Vancouver business in a way it can understand, so that means using a lot of CLEAR, structured content, strategic keywords (phrases your ideal clients use!) and nicely optimized pages that tell Google exactly what you’re about.
Google is going to reward small local businesses that are super obvious, you know - the businesses that feel super easy to understand and recommend.
Shall we dive a little deeper about how this all happens? Mmmk.
Google Isn’t Asking “Who’s the Best?” It’s Asking “Who Do I Understand?”
When someone searches “massage therapist inn Vancouver” or “family constellation healer near me,” Google’s algorithm doesn’t go looking for the most popular or most talented - it’s looking for which small business MAKES THE MOST SENSE for the searcher.
In literal milliseconds, Google is trying to answer these important questions:
Who offers this service?
Where are they located?
Are they active, relevant and credible right now?
If your website and Google Business Profile doesn’t clearly answer these important questions, you won’t get shown, regardless of how dang pretty your website looks.
It’s going to serve ranked results based on what Google determines is the best match.
Here’s what Google really wants to see:
A complete, well optimized Google Business Profile
Clear, accurate service categories that match what you actually offer
Info that aligns across your website and local listing
A homepage that states who you help, what you do, and where you’re located.
Signs that your business is active and trustworthy.
Consistent Google reviews that show real legit HUMAN clients (not bots) are still choosing and working with you
If any of these important signals are weird, incomplete, or mismatched Google hesitates.
And hesitation simply equals invisibility. And you don’t want that.
Why “I Set It Up Once in 2020” Doesn’t Build Google Trust for Local SEO
This is the most common gap I see on the daily.
You claim your Google listing, fill it out once, feel happy as a clam, and then forget about and never touch it again. (this can be worse than not having one at all!)
I get it ok. No one ever really taught you the importance of keeping your Google Business Profile updated in a way that actually builds Google’s trust.
But, truth bomb diggity -
Google IS NOT a static directory. It’s a dynamic system constantly checking for signs of LIFE and activity.
It’s asking:
Is this business open?
Is the information accurate?
Does this listing look current and maintained?
A profile that hasn’t been touched in months creates doubt and uncertainty.
Google will not reward doubt and uncertainty (I mean, would you?)
It will, however, reward clarity and consistency.
The Good News? Google Doesn’t Need Constant Updates, Just Strategic Signals
Now, this is the best thing about Google (in my humble opinion).
You do NOT have to treat Google like social media.
Absolutely NO need to post 3 times a day and you don’t have to spend your days doing a lipsync on TikTok (unless you want to) so before you panic, don’t worry.
The cool thing about optimizing for Google search is you do not need to put a ton of effort into this every month.
What Google ACTUALLY WANTS:
Light, ongoing updates over time that show the business is still active
Accurate, updated info across your Google listing and website
Small intentional activity, like 1-4 Google posts per month, occasional new photos, and of course fresh reviews coming in naturally
That’s it.
This is especially important for women-led wellness businesses in Vancouver, because I know how challenging it is to be the owner, marketing manager AND practitioner of your business.
If you usually rely on referrals or Instagram - but the algorithm tanks or god forbid your account gets banned (this happens more than you think) and then referrals slow down, you’ll realize your visibility is NOT sustainable.
When Your Website and Google Listing Don’t Match, Trust Drops
Here’s where most wellness businesses unintentionally confuse Google
Your Google listing says one thing.
Your website says another.
Google cross-checks your Google Business Profile against your website to make sure the details line up and things make sense.
And when Google gets mixed messages, it will move onto someone else (like we all should do)
For example:
Your website do not mention your location at all on the homepage
Your homepage and services are written with industry jargon your clients wouldn’t ever use in a search.
Google reviews mention offers that aren’t clearly listed anywhere
So What Does Google Actually Want?
Google is actually a sweet simpleton.
It just wants clarity & consistency across sites and directories.
When your Google Business Profile and homepage reinforce each other, trust builds.
And that’s when Google starts paying attention.
And that’s when you start getting recommended in local searches.
Ready to Close the Google Trust Gap?
If reading this made you realize your Google presence could use some strategic clean-up but you have no clue where to start, my 3-Month Google Business Profile & Homepage Boost was created exactly for you.
This ain’t another “marketing task” to add to the list.
It’s a clear, done-for-you local marketing foundation the helps Vancouver wellness businesses get found by their ideal clients, and BOOKED (because at the end of the day, that’s all any of us really want)
Over three focused months, I make sure:
Your business is clearly understood by Google (and potential clients)
Your Google Business Profile looks current, active, and trustworthy
Your homepage supports what your profile says, so everyhing works together
This isn’t a one-time setup. It’s a reset designed to steady, local visibility that reflects the quality of your work.
If you wanna get the party started, grab a free website audit.
I’ll personally review your site and Google listing to confirm if this marketing dealio is your next best step.
talk soon
