How does Sponsored Results work?
Your practice competes with other practices in auctions, and the winners are featured in Sponsored Results. The Sponsored Results algorithm determines who wins the auction by looking primarily at two inputs: a provider’s relevance to the specific search and the bid.
The Sponsored Results algorithm prioritizes relevance to show quality search results to patients. To determine provider relevance, the algorithm factors in a wider range of parameters that impact performance than a single person or team could compute. It’s impossible to know exactly how the algorithm determines relevance for a specific search, but we know it cares about factors like reviews, insurances, availability, visit reason and more. Additionally, a practice needs to have budget remaining to be considered for Sponsored Results. See below for known ways to improve your search relevance.
In addition to relevance, the algorithm looks at your bid and ongoing Sponsored Results performance to pick an auction bid that competes with other practices. The more relevant you are and the higher your bid, the more likely you are to be featured in Sponsored Results.
How does the price guarantee work?
We calculate your bill based on impressions you receive from Sponsored Results. Zocdoc will optimize when your listing is shown and cover any unexpected overages so your cost per booking stays at or below your bid.
What can I do to make sure I win auctions?
You have 3 ways to increase your competitiveness on Sponsored Results:
Optimize your account to be a relevant search result: Search relevance considers whether you are a good match for the patients’ needs. The higher your relevancy, the more likely you are to win Sponsored Results spots and get more bookings. Your relevance increases when you add insurances, visit reasons, availability, and reviews. Reference your Zocdoc Search Score in the dashboard of your Zocdoc account for ways to improve your relevance or contact Zocdoc for help.
Set a competitive bid: Setting your bid at the most you’re willing to pay for a booking will allow Zocdoc to pick more competitive auction prices. With a higher auction price, you're more likely to win Sponsored Results spots and get more bookings.
If you want more bookings for certain locations, specialties, or providers within your practice, consider making a provider group with a higher bid.
Set an uncapped budget: Budgets place a constraint on your Sponsored Results performance, by limiting the number of searches you could be featured in. If you have a budget, consider maximizing your results by uncapping or increasing your budget. By default, you won't have a budget when you start Sponsored Results. Your average cost per booking will be at or below your bid, guaranteed.
Learn more about what Sponsored Results costs here.
Ready to get started? Enroll in Sponsored Results.