When and How to Use Google’s Appointment Links for Clinics

Ever wonder how some clinics let you book directly from Google while others just show a phone number?

That’s the power of Google’s Appointment Links.

It’s one of the most overlooked conversion tools in Google Business Profiles—and it can dramatically boost bookings for your clinic.

Whether you run a dental practice, physiotherapy clinic, medical spa, or foot care centre, adding the right appointment link can reduce friction, improve user experience, and even help your GBP rank higher.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

What appointment links are
When (and when not) to use them
How to set them up correctly
Best practices for increasing bookings

✅ What Is an Appointment Link?

It’s a clickable “Book Online” button on your clinic’s Google Business Profile that directs users to:

Your online booking system
A scheduling form
A contact page with appointment functionality

On mobile and desktop, it appears prominently beneath your clinic’s name—before they even visit your website.

📈 Why It Matters

Makes it easier for patients to book without calling
Boosts conversions from high-intent Google searchers
Reduces bounce from impatient mobile users
Sends engagement signals to Google (which may help with local rankings)

Clinics that add this link often see a 20–40% increase in bookings from Maps and Search—especially for walk-in-friendly or time-sensitive services.

🤔 When Should Clinics Use Appointment Links?

✔️ Use it if:

You offer online scheduling (JaneApp, Cliniko, Acuity, Calendly, etc.)
You serve multiple patients per day (dentistry, massage, physio, foot care)
You accept same-day or next-day appointments
Your front desk is busy or understaffed

⚠️ Be cautious if:

Your booking system is slow or complicated
You require phone screening or special intake
You rely heavily on referrals or insurance coordination before booking

In those cases, link to a short “Request an Appointment” form instead.

🛠️ How to Add or Update Your Appointment Link

Log into your Google Business Profile
Click “Edit profile” → “Contact”
Find the “Appointment links” field
Paste your direct scheduling URL
- Ideal: https://yourclinic.com/book-now
- Avoid homepage links

💡 Bonus: If you offer multiple services, some platforms (like Jane or Cliniko) allow service-specific links, which you can rotate in posts or use in Q&A.

💡 Best Practices for Appointment Links

1. 🎯 Direct to a Booking Page—Not Your Homepage

Bad: https://yourclinic.com
Better: https://yourclinic.com/book-online
Best: https://yourclinic.janeapp.com/#/staff/physio1/treatment/sports-injury

The fewer clicks = the more bookings.

2. 🧼 Keep the Booking Flow Simple

Your scheduling page should:

Load fast on mobile
Offer clear service options
Show available times
Minimize required steps

✅ Avoid complex registration just to book—simplicity wins.

3. ⏱ Use Time-Based Language in Google Posts

Pair your appointment link with urgency:

“Limited Saturday massage spots left—book online now”
“New patient dental exams open this week. Tap to book.”

CTA + link = higher conversions.

4. 📍 Use One Link Per Location

For multi-location clinics, ensure each GBP listing links to the right location’s booking page—not a generic contact form.

Otherwise, patients may book at the wrong clinic or abandon the process entirely.

5. 📊 Track Engagement (UTM Tip!)

To measure success, add UTM parameters like this:
https://yourclinic.com/book-now?utm_source=google&utm_medium=gbp&utm_campaign=bookinglink

This helps you see how many bookings are actually coming from your GBP listing via Google Analytics.

🧠 Final Thoughts

If your GBP doesn’t have an appointment link, you’re asking ready-to-book patients to hunt around for a way to schedule. Most won’t.

Add one link, save them time, and watch your bookings rise.

In today’s fast-paced search environment, convenience is conversion.

📞 Want Help Setting Up the Perfect Appointment Flow?

At GBP Support, we help clinics:

Add high-converting appointment links to their GBP
Integrate scheduling tools like Jane, Cliniko, or Calendly
Track booking performance and optimize conversions

👉 [Book a Free 15-Min Discovery Call]
Let’s streamline your Google-to-patient journey—starting with one simple link.