Google offers a number of tools that make connecting with new and existing patients easier for yourindependent practice. Google+ and Google Places are often easily confused but each one offers its ownunique benefits. Google+ is a social media channel that allows you to engage with patients, post content, and build awareness of your practice online. Google Places is not a social media tool, but instead, literally places your practice on the map so that your patients can find your physical address using Google Maps. Both Google+ and Google Places are easy to set up. To get started with either of these, you will first need a Google account. So, if you do not already have one, go to accounts.google.com and click “Create an Account”. Once you have a Google account, you will use it to set up both the Google Places and Google+ pages for your practice and you are ready to move on.