Google's cracking down 🤖⚠️ (+ 4 other things therapists need to know)

By Scott Pope, Director of Growth

This week: Google’s August Spam Update is live; AI answers are expanding (U.S. + Canada); Google Business Profile is testing Messaging again

Google’s August Spam Update is live

Google is cracking down on thin pages and spammy backlinks. If you’ve got copy-and-paste service pages for every city or bought low quality backlinks from shady sources, you might see rankings shift. 👉 Action: Merge or strengthen thin content, and clean up bad links.

Google’s August Spam Update is live

AI answers are expanding (U.S. + Canada)

Google just launched “AI Mode” in Canada. Some quick-answer searches (“What is CBT?”) may now show an AI summary instead of your site. 👉 Action: Write clear Q&A sections on your site (e.g., “How does EMDR work?”), include therapist credentials, and always add a call-to-action (book a consult).

AI answers are expanding (U.S. + Canada)

Google Business Profile is testing Messaging again

Some therapists now see options to add WhatsApp or SMS chat to their Google profile. 👉 Action: Log into your Google Business Profile → Messages. If available, set up an auto-reply with your hours + booking link.

Google Business Profile is testing Messaging again

New review compliance rules in the US, with Canada close behind

The FTC’s review crackdown bans fake reviews, undisclosed incentives, and “review gating.” 👉 Action: When asking your colleagues for reviews: no incentives, no filtering, just simple, honest asks.

New review compliance rules in the US, with Canada close behind

Privacy spotlight: pixels under fire

Courts and regulators are tightening up rules on health data tracking. Retargeting pixels (Meta/Google Ads) on intake or symptom pages can expose you to HIPAA and state law risks. 👉 Action: Audit your site for ad pixels. Remove them from sensitive pages, and make sure consent banners are real blockers (not just window dressing).

Quick wins for the week

  • Audit your top 10 pages for duplicate service/city copy.
  • Add an FAQ section to 2 service pages using client-friendly questions.
  • Check your Google Business Profile for new messaging options.
  • Refresh your review request strategy to be 100% compliant.
  • Document (or remove) ad pixels on intake + booking pages.

Final thoughts

Every small improvement compounds whether that’s cleaning up your Google profile, tweaking one page for clarity, or preparing for the shift to AI-driven search. Moonraker is here to make sure therapists lead, not lag, in the digital world.