GEO-Lens for Healthcare: YMYL Content That Passes EEAT
Healthcare content can earn AI visibility by: (1) ensuring all content is written or reviewed by credentialed medical professionals, (2) implementing MedicalWebPage schema with proper author and review attribution, (3) citing peer-reviewed sources and medical authorities, (4) displaying clear medical review dates and update timestamps, and (5) maintaining transparent editorial standards. Healthcare is “Your Money or Your Life” (YMYL) content—AI systems apply the strictest EEAT standards to medical information.
According to Google's content guidelines, YMYL content—including health information—requires demonstrated expertise and trustworthiness. AI systems trained on similar principles apply these standards even more rigorously because incorrect medical information can cause real harm.
This guide covers how healthcare providers, medical publishers, and health content creators can meet YMYL standards while optimizing for AI visibility.
Key Takeaways for Healthcare
- ✓ Credentialed authors are mandatory—MD, RN, or appropriate medical credentials
- ✓ Medical review is essential—content reviewed by qualified professionals
- ✓ Cite authoritative sources—NIH, CDC, peer-reviewed journals
- ✓ Update dates matter critically—outdated medical info loses trust immediately
- ✓ Schema markup is table stakes—MedicalWebPage, Physician, MedicalCondition
- ✓ Transparency builds trust—clear editorial policy, conflict disclosure
YMYL Standards for Healthcare #
Healthcare content faces the strictest evaluation:
| EEAT Dimension | Healthcare Standard | Required Signals |
|---|---|---|
| Experience | Clinical or patient experience | Case studies, years in practice, specialty focus |
| Expertise | Medical credentials | MD, DO, RN, PharmD + board certifications |
| Authoritativeness | Institutional affiliation | Hospital, university, medical board association |
| Trustworthiness | Accuracy and transparency | Source citations, review dates, conflict disclosure |
Medical Author Requirements #
Every piece of healthcare content needs proper medical authorship:
Required Author Information #
- Full name with credentials: “Dr. Jane Smith, MD, FACP”
- Medical specialty: Board certifications and focus areas
- Current affiliation: Hospital, practice, or institution
- Years in practice: Experience duration
- Education: Medical school and residency
- Professional memberships: AMA, specialty boards
Medical Review Process #
Separate from authorship, content should have medical review:
- Medical reviewer: Different qualified professional who reviewed content
- Review date: When content was last medically reviewed
- Review scope: What aspects were verified
According to Health On the Net Foundation standards, medical content should have clear attribution and review processes—standards that AI systems are trained to recognize.
Source Citation Standards #
Healthcare content requires rigorous source citation:
Authoritative Sources #
- Government health agencies: NIH, CDC, FDA, WHO
- Peer-reviewed journals: JAMA, NEJM, Lancet, etc.
- Medical associations: AMA, specialty organizations
- University medical centers: Academic health institutions
- Clinical guidelines: USPSTF, specialty guidelines
Citation Display #
- Link to original sources (preferably PubMed or official publications)
- Include publication date of source
- Group references at end of content
- Use consistent citation format
Healthcare Content Structure #
Structure medical content for clarity and AI parsing:
- Medical disclaimer: Clearly state this is informational, not medical advice
- Overview/Summary: Key points for quick understanding
- Condition explanation: What it is, causes, risk factors
- Symptoms: Clear list of signs and symptoms
- Diagnosis: How condition is identified
- Treatment options: Standard treatments, medications, procedures
- Prevention: Risk reduction strategies
- When to see a doctor: Clear guidance on seeking care
- FAQ section: Common patient questions
- Sources: All cited references
- Medical review information: Reviewer, date, process
Healthcare Schema Markup #
Proper schema is critical for medical content:
- MedicalWebPage: For general health content pages
- MedicalCondition: For condition-specific content
- Drug: For medication information
- Physician: For provider profiles
- MedicalClinic/Hospital: For facility pages
- FAQPage: For medical FAQ content
According to Schema.org medical types, structured data helps systems understand medical content context—essential for AI visibility.
GEO-Lens Workflow for Healthcare #
- Audit condition pages: Run GEO-Lens on all medical content
- Check EEAT scores carefully: Healthcare demands high scores across all dimensions
- Verify author credentials: Are medical professionals properly displayed?
- Review source citations: Are authoritative sources cited?
- Check review dates: Is “last reviewed” date visible and recent?
- Validate schema: Is MedicalWebPage/MedicalCondition schema present?
- Monitor visibility: Track AI recommendations using AI Visibility Monitor
Frequently Asked Questions #
Can healthcare content really achieve AI visibility given YMYL restrictions? #
Yes, but only with strong EEAT signals. AI systems are cautious with medical content, but they still need to provide health information when users ask. Content from credentialed authors with proper review processes, authoritative citations, and transparent editorial standards can absolutely earn AI citations.
Is AI-generated medical content acceptable? #
Only with human medical oversight. AI can assist in drafting or research, but healthcare content must be reviewed and approved by qualified medical professionals before publication. The medical reviewer's credentials matter more than who drafted the initial content. Always disclose AI assistance.
How often should medical content be reviewed and updated? #
Annually at minimum, more frequently for rapidly evolving topics. Display “Last Medically Reviewed: [date]” prominently. Update immediately when guidelines change or new research emerges. Outdated medical content loses trust quickly—both with users and AI systems.
What credentials qualify someone to author health content? #
Depends on the topic. For clinical content: MD, DO, or advanced practice providers (NP, PA). For nursing topics: RN, BSN, or higher. For pharmacy: PharmD. For nutrition: RD, LD. For mental health: PhD, PsyD, LCSW. For general wellness: relevant certifications plus medical review.
How do smaller healthcare practices compete for AI visibility? #
Focus on niche expertise and local context. A dermatology practice won't outrank Mayo Clinic on “skin cancer” but can win “psoriasis treatment options in [city]” or “when to see a dermatologist for moles.” Combine local signals with strong medical credentials.
Should we include patient testimonials on healthcare pages? #
Carefully, yes—for service quality, not treatment outcomes. HIPAA and ethical guidelines restrict medical testimonials. Focus testimonials on: care experience, communication, facility quality. Avoid implying specific treatment results. Patient stories can build Experience signals without making medical claims.
Conclusion: Earn Trust Through Excellence #
Healthcare AI visibility isn't about optimization tricks—it's about being genuinely trustworthy. Meet YMYL standards through credentialed authorship, medical review processes, authoritative citations, and transparent editorial practices. The healthcare content that earns AI recommendations is the content that deserves to be recommended.
Use GEO-Lens to audit your medical content, ensure EEAT signals are present, and build the kind of healthcare information AI systems can confidently cite.
Product Manager at Seenos.ai. Pioneer in AEO research since 2024, exploring the convergence of SEO and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). Led multiple AI-powered content optimization projects that achieved 300%+ citation increases in ChatGPT and Perplexity.