How we rank clinics — and how you can rank higher
Our ranking algorithm is transparent. These are the exact factors we use, and the actionable steps you can take today to improve your listing — for free.
How ranking works
Every clinic is scored based on objective, verifiable factors. There are two layers:
Base ranking
Clinics are sorted by specialisation tier (specialists first), then by rating and review volume. Paid tiers earn no score points — our data-verification signal cannot be purchased. Featured clinics get placement priority within their natural tier, and both paid tiers can edit data directly, so more complete profiles score higher. A general practice can never outrank a specialist through payment alone.
Personalised scoring
When a user sets preferences (removal goal, priorities like pricing or technology), clinics are scored on how well they match. Clinics with more complete data earn more points because there's more to match against.
7 things you can do today to rank higher
1. Complete your Google Business Profile
Up to +5 points (completeness) + convenience signals
Add all services offered (tattoo removal, colour removal, cover-up fading, consultations). Set accurate business hours and add high-quality photos. Our crawler picks up services, hours, and photos from your GMB listing.
- Add all services you offer to your GMB profile
- Set accurate business hours
- Upload photos of your clinic interior and equipment
2. List your laser technology on your website
Up to +17 points (base + technology priority + pico bonus)
Mention your laser make and model (e.g., PicoWay, PicoSure, RevLite). Include wavelength information if possible. Picosecond lasers receive an additional ranking boost. Our crawler picks this up from your website and GMB.
- Add your laser make and model to your website
- Mention wavelength capabilities if applicable
- Highlight picosecond technology if you use it
3. Build your Google reviews
Up to +18 points (rating bonus + review volume)
Both the number of reviews and your average rating contribute to ranking. Review volume is scored on a logarithmic scale — even a few more reviews help. Higher ratings above 4.0 earn additional points.
- Ask satisfied clients to leave a Google review
- Respond to all reviews — positive and negative
- Aim for consistent recent reviews, not just old ones
4. Publish transparent pricing
Up to +10 points for comprehensive pricing · +5 for packages · +10 value priority
Publish separate small, medium, and large per-session prices on your website. Our crawler classifies the page as comprehensive when it finds at least three distinct per-session prices; a lone "from" teaser maps to from_only. The Transparent Pricing badge and ranking boost are determined by crawl data — we do not manually set them.
- List small, medium, and large per-session prices
- Mention package deals or multi-session pricing
- Advertise payment plans if you offer them
5. Advertise free consultations
Up to +27 points across multiple categories
Free consultations are one of the highest-impact signals across multiple preference categories. If you offer them, say so prominently on your website. This single change improves ranking across convenience, value, and payment flexibility.
- Add "Free consultation" prominently to your website
- Mention it on your GMB profile
- Include it in your services list
6. List practitioner qualifications
Up to +17 points (base + qualifications priority + trust priority)
Display practitioner credentials on your website. Medical professionals (RN, doctor, dermatologist) receive additional ranking weight. Qualifications also contribute to trust scoring.
- Add practitioner credentials to your website
- Mention medical qualifications specifically
- Include professional association memberships
7. Ensure your hero image is relevant
+8 points for removal work, +5 for clinic photo, -8 penalty for irrelevant images
Your listing image is the first thing potential clients see. Relevant images — laser equipment, before/after results, or your clinic interior — build trust instantly. Irrelevant images (cosmetic tattoo close-ups, stock photos) actively lower your ranking.
- Upload clinic or equipment photos to your Google Business Profile
- Ensure your primary photo shows your removal practice
- Claim your listing to upload a custom hero image directly
What a paid listing does NOT affect
Verified and Featured listings receive better visual treatment and placement, but the following factors are never influenced by payment:
- ×Specialisation tier (T1/T2/T3/T4) — determined by our analysis pipeline
- ×Google rating — sourced directly from Google
- ×Review count — sourced directly from Google
- ×Data verification — set by our data pipeline when your public details corroborate
- ×Completeness score — calculated from data presence
- ×All scoring weights in our ranking algorithm
Frequently asked questions
How does Tattoo Removal Guide rank clinics?
Clinics are ranked using a transparent algorithm based on specialisation tier, Google rating and review volume, profile completeness, services offered, laser technology, practitioner qualifications, pricing transparency, and hero image relevance. Paid tiers earn no score points at all — our data-verification signal is set by the data pipeline and cannot be purchased. Verified and Featured clinics can edit listing data directly, and more complete profiles naturally score higher. Core factors like ratings and reviews are never influenced by payment.
Do paid listings rank higher?
Paid tiers earn no score points at all — our data-verification signal is set by the data pipeline and cannot be purchased. Verified and Featured clinics can edit listing data directly, and more complete profiles naturally score higher. Core factors like ratings, reviews, specialist status, and trust signals are never influenced by payment. Our ranking algorithm is public and transparent.
How often is my listing updated?
Every listing is refreshed automatically each month by our crawl pipeline — you do not need to do anything. Claimed clinics can also request a refresh at any time: we action every request within 3 days, and it is then processed in the next monthly update. A refresh re-reads your website and Google Business Profile, so if nothing there has changed your listing may stay the same.
Can I see my current ranking score?
Not yet — but analytics dashboards showing views, saves, clicks, and ranking factors are included with Verified and Featured plans. We're working on making basic analytics available to all claimed listings.