How Healthcare Providers Can Overcome Ad Blockers & Get More Patients

Understanding Ad Blockers and Their Impact on Healthcare Advertising

What Are Ad Blockers?

Ad blockers are browser-based tools or software applications designed to prevent advertisements from appearing on websites. These tools work by:

• Scanning web pages for ad scripts or trackers.

• Blocking display ads, pop-ups, banners, and even some native ads.

• Improving the browsing experience for users by reducing clutter and speeding up load times.

The Stats You Need to Know:

• Over 42.7% of internet users globally use some form of ad-blocking software.

• According to Statista, the use of ad blockers continues to rise, especially among younger, tech-savvy audiences.

For healthcare providers, this presents a unique challenge: reaching potential patients online is becoming more difficult due to shrinking ad visibility.

How Ad Blockers Affect Healthcare Marketing

Ad blockers can limit the reach of your healthcare marketing campaigns. When patients use these tools, your Google Display Ads and other awareness-focused content might never appear. This leads to reduced visibility, making it harder to educate potential patients about your services. 

Fewer ad impressions often result in lower conversion rates, with fewer clicks and appointment bookings. In some cases, you may end up with wasted ad spend, paying for ads that are blocked before they even load. To reduce this risk, consider a balanced strategy that includes search ads, SEO, and content marketing to maintain consistent patient engagement.

Strategies to Mitigate the Effects of Ad Blockers

Rather than abandoning display advertising, healthcare providers should adapt by diversifying strategies. Here’s how:

Emphasize Content Marketing

Content marketing helps you reach patients without worrying about ad blockers. By focusing on value-driven education, you can attract patients' organic traffic and build trust over time. Start by creating high-quality blogs that answer common patient questions. Use topics like “How to Choose the Right Specialist in [Your City]” or “Common Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore” to capture search intent and drive traffic to your site. 

Optimize each post for local SEO by including terms like “chiropractor near me,” “physical therapy in [Your City],” or “dental clinic nearby” to reach people searching in your area. Make sure your website provides a smooth mobile experience, with fast load times, easy click-to-call buttons, and clear navigation. Following Egg Health’s mobile-friendly best practices ensures your content is accessible and effective on any device.

Leverage Native Advertising

Native ads blend seamlessly into content, making them less likely to be flagged by ad blockers.

Best Practices:

• Use sponsored content on trusted healthcare websites or local news outlets.

• Promote patient stories or wellness tips through partnerships that provide real value while building brand recognition.

• Ensure clear disclosures to maintain transparency and trust, as recommended in compliance guides.

Encourage Patients to Whitelist Your Site

Building trust is key to getting patients to allow your ads.

Actionable Steps:

• Provide clear instructions on how to whitelist your website.

• Explain the benefits of seeing your ads, such as staying updated on health tips or appointment openings.

• Include a note in newsletters or appointment reminders: “Don’t miss important updates from [Your Practice Name]. Add us to your safe list!”

Maximizing the Potential of Google Display Ads

Despite ad blockers, Google Display Ads remain a powerful tool, especially when used strategically.

Overview of Google Display Ads

Google Display Ads help healthcare providers expand their reach beyond search results. This ad format gives access to over 90% of internet users through Google’s extensive network of websites and apps. You can create diverse ad formats including banners, videos, and interactive graphics to capture attention in different ways. 

Display Ads also offer precise targeting options, allowing you to reach potential patients based on location, demographics, and online behavior. This makes it easier to stay visible and top-of-mind with your local audience.

Benefits for Healthcare Providers

Google Display Ads offer specific advantages for healthcare marketing. They help build brand awareness by keeping your clinic visible across websites your patients already visit. Through retargeting, you can reconnect with people who visited your site but left without booking an appointment. Display Ads also support patient acquisition by driving traffic to service pages for specialties like chiropractic care, physical therapy, or dental services. This strategy helps you stay connected with your audience and encourage more appointments.

Best Practices for Effective Display Ads

To ensure compliance and maximize results:

• Use Compelling Visuals: Choose HIPAA-compliant, friendly imagery, no stock photos that appear generic.

• Craft Clear CTAs: Examples include: “Schedule Your Appointment Today” or “Find Out if Telehealth Is Right for You.”

• Stay Legally Aligned: Follow healthcare advertising guidelines and avoid claims that suggest guaranteed outcomes. Transparency is crucial for compliance.

Integrating Google Display Ads with Other Marketing Efforts

Google Display Ads shouldn’t operate in a silo. Combining them with your broader marketing strategy creates better outcomes.

Combining with Search Engine Marketing (SEM)

Running SEM campaigns alongside Google Display Ads creates a more complete marketing strategy. Display ads build brand awareness by reaching patients passively, while search ads capture intent-based local searches from people actively looking for services. Coordinating both channels ensures consistent messaging, so patients see the same tone, offers, and services across Google Search and Display. This approach often leads to higher conversion rates, as display ads introduce your brand and search ads help close the deal when patients are ready to book.

Utilizing Data from Google Analytics

Use data-driven insights to refine your campaigns.

Monitor:

• Click-through rates (CTR)

• Conversion paths

• Bounce rates

Optimize:

• Adjust targeting based on geo-location data.

• Track patient behavior to identify drop-off points in the booking process.

• Test different ad creatives to see what resonates best with local audiences.

Egg Health recommends integrating google analytics checkpoints into all marketing workflows to maintain compliance and improve performance.

Conclusion

Ad blockers create real challenges for healthcare marketing, but they are not impossible to overcome. By combining content marketing, native advertising, and a patient-friendly display ad strategy, your practice can stay visible to the right audience. This approach helps enhance brand awareness, build patient trust, and drive steady growth, even as digital advertising rules become stricter.

At Egg Health Holdings, we are dedicated to helping healthcare practices thrive in today’s digital landscape:

• Local Boost Pro: Simplify your SEO strategy and drive more patient traffic to your practice for just $99/month.

• Comprehensive Resources: Access the Ultimate Guide to Local SEO for Healthcare Practices, a free infographic packed with actionable tips.

• Tailored Insights: Get your free digital audit today to uncover opportunities and strengthen your online presence.

• Expert Guidance: Schedule a North Star Consultation Call to map out a strategic path to success.

• Near Me Suite Guide: Learn how to leverage cutting-edge tools to enhance visibility and connect with patients.

Ready to transform your practice? Visit our website, explore our solutions, and contact us to begin your growth journey today!