AI vs SEO: Why Dentists Shouldn’t Abandon SEO & Google Search (Yet)

Most dentists are playing with AI tools every day now—ChatGPT, Claude, and the rest. The buzz is huge. The question Ian keeps getting from practice owners: “Should I abandon SEO and Google Search for AI search right now?” In this Dental Marketing Heroes mini-episode, Ian Cantle (Dental Marketing Heroes & Outsourced Marketing) breaks down what’s really happening with AI search vs Google, why SEO is still critical for local practices, and how to think about “search everywhere optimization” so your practice shows up where patients are actually looking for you today. You’ll learn: Why the perception that “AI is 99% of search now” is way off for local dental practicesThe current reality: Google still dominates local search while AI search sits around ~2% (or less)Why dropping SEO now hands your competitors the win—along with your future patientsHow to take a long-term view and build for both Google and AI searchWhy Ian is reframing SEO as “Search Everywhere Optimization” for growth-minded practices If 94% of your prospective patients are still searching on Google, you need to be there. And as AI search grows, you need a plan to show up there too. In this short episode, you’ll get practical, no-hype guidance on what to do next. Timestamp Table of Contents 00:00 Introduction to Dental Marketing Heroes Podcast 00:23 The Big Question: SEO vs. AI Search 00:55 Current State of SEO and AI Search 02:00 Why You Shouldn't Abandon SEO Yet 02:28 A Balanced Approach: Merging SEO and AI Search 03:49 Redefining SEO: Search Everywhere Optimization 04:28 Conclusion and Future Insights 04:53 Closing Remarks and Call to Action If this episode helped you cut through the hype, remember to like, comment, and share this podcast with another dentist who’s wondering what to do about AI and SEO. Need help building a search strategy that keeps your chairs full—on Google today and in AI search tomorrow? 👉 Book a Practice Growth Assessment with Dental Marketing Heroes to see exactly where you stand now, what you’re missing, and how to build a “search everywhere” growth engine for your practice. Visit: Dental Marketing Heroes – https://dentalmarketingheroes.comOutsourced Marketing – https://outsourcedmarketing.ca