Yes, you should pay attention to both. Here's why: patients are now using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude before they search Google. They're asking questions like "what should I do about my neck pain?" to get quick answers first. Then they go to Google to find a local chiropractor.

If your name shows up in the AI answer AND in Google search, you've just doubled your credibility. That patient is way more likely to book with you because they've seen your name twice. Think of AI search as an extra trust signal that works alongside your Google ranking, not instead of it.

The chiropractors who optimize for both are going to get more patients than those who only focus on one.

Most chiropractors start seeing their content cited by AI tools within 2-3 months of consistently publishing optimized content. But here's the thing—it's not an overnight fix.

You need to publish at least one well-structured blog post per week that follows the AI-friendly format: clear credentials, specific numbers, cited sources, and easy-to-read structure. The more quality content you create, the faster AI tools will start recognizing you as a trusted source.

Some chiropractors see results faster if they're updating existing content with fresh statistics and better structure. Start with your most popular service pages and patient questions first.

Great question. Google wants you to use keywords and get backlinks. AI search wants to see your expertise and sources.

For Google, you focus on things like "chiropractor near me" or "back pain relief." For AI, you write like you're answering a real person's question: "How do I know if my back pain is serious?"

The good news? You can do both at the same time. Write in a conversational way that answers questions clearly, add your credentials, cite your sources, and use natural language. This works for both Google and AI tools.

Think of it this way: Google wants to know you're relevant. AI wants to know you're trustworthy.

You don't need them on every page, but they should be easy to find. At minimum, put your full credentials on:

• Your homepage (in the header or "about" section)

• Your about page (with full bio, licenses, years of experience)

• Individual blog posts (author bio at the top or bottom)

• Service pages (especially for specialized treatments)

AI tools scan for trust signals. When they see "Dr. Sarah Johnson, 15 years experience, licensed in California, specializing in sports injuries," that tells them you're legit.

A simple author bio at the bottom of each blog post works great. Just 2-3 sentences with your credentials and a link to your full bio page.

Stick with sources that are respected and trusted. Good options include:

• Medical journals (like Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics)

• Government health websites (CDC, NIH)

• Professional chiropractic associations (American Chiropractic Association)

• Peer-reviewed research studies

• State licensing board guidelines

Don't cite random blogs or questionable websites. AI tools check the quality of your sources. If you're linking to low-quality sites, it actually hurts your credibility.

You only need 2-3 solid sources per blog post. Quality beats quantity here. Make sure the links work and go directly to the study or article you're referencing.

At least every 6-12 months for your most important posts. AI tools love fresh content with current statistics.

You don't need to rewrite the whole thing. Just:

• Update any outdated statistics with newer research

• Add any new treatment methods you've learned

• Check that all your source links still work

• Add a "Last updated: [date]" at the top

Focus on your top 10-20 blog posts first—the ones that get the most traffic or answer your patients' most common questions. Update those twice a year.

For seasonal content (like winter sports injuries), refresh it right before that season starts. Fresh dates tell AI tools your information is current.

You can use them to help, but don't just copy and paste. Here's the smart way to do it:

• Use ChatGPT or Claude to outline your blog post and get ideas

• Ask it to find relevant statistics (but always fact-check them yourself)

• Write the content in your own voice based on your real experience

• Add your personal patient stories and examples

• Make sure it sounds like you, not a robot

AI tools can spot AI-written content, and so can Google.

They want to see your real expertise and experience. Use AI as a helper, not as a replacement for your knowledge.

Patients can tell when content is generic versus when it comes from a real chiropractor who's treated hundreds of patients.

The biggest mistake? Writing in "doctor speak" instead of how patients actually talk.

Patients don't search for "cervical spine manipulation for myofascial pain syndrome." They search for "what can I do about my stiff neck?"

Other common mistakes:

• No clear call-to-action (no booking link at the end of blog posts)

• Walls of text that are hard to read on phones

• Generic titles like "Our Services" instead of specific ones

• No credentials or source citations

• Outdated content from 2018 that's never been refreshed

Fix these, and you're already ahead of 80% of other chiropractors online.

That depends on your time and writing skills. Here's how to decide:

Do it yourself if:

• You enjoy writing and have 2-3 hours per week to dedicate

• You're comfortable learning basic SEO and content structure

• You want full control over your message

Get help if:

• You're already maxed out seeing patients

• Writing isn't your strong suit

• You'd rather invest money than time

• You want faster results

A good middle ground? Use a healthcare content specialist who understands chiropractic care. They can help structure and optimize your content while you provide the expertise and real patient stories.

Just make sure whoever helps you understands both AI optimization and traditional SEO. You need someone who knows this specific strategy, not just general blog writing.

The most important thing? Start somewhere. One optimized blog post per week beats zero. Your future patients are already asking AI tools about their pain—make sure you're the answer they find.