Google's update: record booked and kept visits first
Published Nov 13, 2026 · Last checked Nov 13, 2026 · Last changed Nov 13, 2026Record four weeks of new patient calls and of visits booked and kept. Change nothing on the website during the rollout. Record the same numbers again on the day Google says the rollout is complete.
- Verdict
- WATCH
- For
- All practices. 1 to 30 providers. Manager, marketing.
- Cost and time
- No cost. About two hours of staff time now, and one hour after the rollout.
Why
Google released a core update on Nov 10, 2026, for all languages. On Nov 12, 2026, Google added a new AI model, Gemini 4 Hydrogen, to Search for all users. Google says answers will be more visual, with comparison tables. If new patient calls from search change, you need numbers from before the update to see it.
What to do
- Record the last four weeks: new patient calls, online booking requests, and visits booked and kept.
- Split them by source if your reports allow: Google search, your Google listing, ads and referrals.
- Count from your phone system and your schedule.
- Ask your web vendor not to rewrite pages until the rollout ends.
- Type three questions a patient asks into Google, with your city. Save a picture of each answer.
- Read your pages for services, prices, hours and insurance. Each one should show today's facts in plain text.
- When Google's status page says the rollout is complete, record the same numbers again.
The rule to check
Do not add tracking code that sends patient data to Google or to ad companies. Count from your own phone system and schedule.
What can go wrong
Search numbers move while an update rolls out. Google says this one may take up to two weeks. Judge the change only after the rollout is complete.
Sources
- Google Search Status Dashboard, primary source, Nov 10, 2026.
- Google blog, primary source, Nov 12, 2026.