From Invisible to In-Demand: Andrew Newland on SEO, Trust & Functional Medicine Marketing

In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Newland — founder and CEO of Functional Medicine Marketing. Andrew is a digital strategist who works exclusively with functional and integrative medicine clinics, helping them grow their visibility, attract new patients, and reclaim precious time through sustainable, SEO-driven marketing systems. He’s also the author of Digital Marketing and SEO for Functional Medicine Practices and a sought-after voice in the space, having appeared on shows like The Functional Medicine Nurse and The Junto.

Andrew brings much-needed clarity to an industry where most practitioners didn’t go to med school to become marketers. From reviews to rankings to regulations, he breaks down what actually works — without the hype, the “30 patients in 30 days” promises, or the tech overwhelm.

We cover:

• Why functional and integrative medicine is a uniquely challenging niche to market
• The trust gap: why patients need more time, proof, and education before saying “yes”
• How to ask for reviews without feeling slimy — and what to say word-for-word
• Why Google reviews matter more than you think (for both humans and SEO)
• The 3 pillars of SEO: technical, content, and local — and how clinics often miss 2 of them
• A simple, free test (PageSpeed Insights) to see what Google really thinks of your site
• How to structure “content silos” so your blogs lift your whole site, not just one post
• Using blogs that nobody reads (on purpose!) to improve rankings across your entire site
• How to combine AI with human stories so Google doesn’t treat your content like generic fluff
• AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and what tools like ChatGPT mean for local clinics
• Optimizing your Google Business Profile: Q&A, updates, geotagged photos, and responses
• How to market “sensitive” services like peptides, PRP, and holistic cancer care without getting flagged
• The “trifecta” of digital marketing: SEO, Google Ads, and Facebook/Instagram ads working together
• Real case studies: from barely-any-patients to consistently closing high-ticket programs
• Why mindset, desperation, and unrealistic timelines can quietly sabotage your marketing

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• SEO is tortoise, not hare: it “solves next year’s problems,” not this week’s panic.
• Social media alone won’t grow a clinic — organic reach is tiny, and SEO is the true foundation.
• Reviews build trust twice: with Google’s algorithm and with anxious, skeptical patients.
• The best SEO blends technical health, rich content, and strong local signals (your Google listing).
• AI is a tool, not a shortcut — your stories, voice, and experience are what make content stand out.
• Paid ads work best as part of a system: awareness (Meta ads), intent (Google Ads), and trust (SEO).
• Knowing your ideal patient avatar doesn’t exclude others — it sharpens your message and results.

🔗 Connect with Andrew:

• Functional Medicine Marketing
• Facebook
• Youtube
• Book: Digital Marketing and SEO for Functional Medicine Practices

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▶️ YouTube: Uncomplicated Marketing

Follow Us:
📸 Instagram: Uncomplicate It!
▶️ YouTube: Uncomplicated Marketing - YouTube