Attracting international patients with Google Ads is not just a matter of luck
There are clinics that invest thousands of dollars in Google Ads with no results. The problem is not the platform, it is the strategy. If you target wrong, you pay for clicks from people who will never become patients. And in medical tourism, that means wasting time, money and real opportunities.
This article explains how to design a Google Ads campaign designed to attract patients from the US and Canada who are already seeking treatment outside their country.
The difference between an average campaign and one that converts
It's not about appearing in Google for the sake of appearing. It's about appearing to the right person, at the right timewith the right message. That's what converts.
To achieve this, you need:
- Choose keywords with action intent.
- Segment by location, language, device and time.
- Design ads that answer real questions.
- Send traffic to a clear and optimized landing page.
Step 1: Keywords with intent for treatment, not curiosity
Avoid empty clicks. Don't invest in people who are "exploring". Focus on those who are comparing clinics, looking for prices or have already decided to travel.
Examples of effective keywords:
- "best stem cell clinic in Mexico".
- "how much does IVF cost in Mexico for US patients".
- "safe plastic surgery abroad".
Do not use generic keywords such as:
- "stem cells
- "fertility"
- "plastic surgery reviews"
Step 2: Intelligent geographic segmentation
There is no point in showing your ads all over the U.S. If your ideal audience is in California, Texas, Florida, Toronto or Vancouver, start there.
Segment by:
- Country, city or zip code.
- Language: English only if your site is in English.
- Device: many patients research on mobile, but convert on desktop.
- Schedule: show your ads when you can respond.
Step 3: Ads answering objections
Don't promise the same as everyone else. Aim for what the patient wants to know:
- "Certified treatments with measurable results"
- "English language care and travel assistance"
- "Total cost with no surprises, from the first call."
Make your ad extensions responsive:
- Where are you?
- What exactly do you offer?
- Why should they trust you?
Step 4: The landing page is the closing of the sale
Don't send patients to the home page. Each ad should lead to a landing page focused on that treatment, with specific content for the international patient..
Includes:
- Clear title: "IVF for U.S. patients in Mexico".
- Concrete benefits.
- International testimonials.
- Approximate costs.
- Direct button to schedule a call or consultation.
KPIs that matter (and those that don't)
Forget about CTR or impressions. In medical tourism what matters is:
- Cost per qualified lead.
- Conversion rate per treatment.
- Effective consultations scheduled.
- Monthly and campaign ROI.
Without this, you can't make real decisions.
If you don't have a strategy, you're just paying to show up.
Most clinics that "tried Google Ads" and say it doesn't work, simply didn't do it right. They launched campaigns without focus, without understanding the international patient and without a page to close the loop.
At Torres Creative We design Google Ads campaigns that not only attract clicks, but patients ready to act. We work with clinics that know that visibility is not enough. What matters is converting.
And if you are already investing in Google Ads with no results, let's review your account and see where your money is going.