Google is making changes to search results to make it easier for people to find virtual health care options, the company said in a blog post published today. The changes, which will be rolling out “over the coming week,” appear to make it easier to find telehealth services, which have seen a surge in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Providers will be able to add virtual care offerings to their business profiles. When you search for a clinic or hospital, you may see a “get online care” link, through which you might set up a voice or video call with a medical professional. Search results might include national virtual care platforms as well as local clinics and hospitals.
In addition, Google will surface more details about virtual health services when you search for terms like “urgent care.” You might, for instance, see a list of virtual health options along with the out-of-pocket cost for those with high deductibles or no health insurance. It’ll roll out this feature as a pilot in the US over the next week.
Google is also automatically adding links to providers’ COVID-19 information pages on Search and Maps. Google Health’s director of product management Julie Black wrote in a blog post that interest in telehealth and virtual care has risen “dramatically” since the onset of the pandemic.
Over the last several weeks, Google made government announcements about COVID-19 and travel advisories related to the pandemic more prominent in Search. It also extended free access to premium video chat features in Google Meet through September, including the option to record and save calls. That might come in handy if you want to remember what your doctor said during a virtual consultation.
