How top-performing real estate agents win AI recommendations

Homebuyers and sellers are beginning to treat ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs) like a genie in a bottle. They often trust AI recommendations implicitly because the suggestions are the result of personalized, deep-diving research and an authoritative verification process.

The phenomenon is ramping so quickly that agents are losing leads they’ve nurtured for years to competitors recommended by artificial intelligence (AI). However, this brave new world is also an opportunity to win those recommendations for yourself and revitalize your business. 

If you know what to do.

Below is a breakdown of how to transition your digital strategy to AI-first visibility, ranging from simple DIY steps to advanced expert tactics.

Realtor AEO vs GEO

Put simply, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) for real estate agents is designing your digital footprint so that AI will recommend you when people Google for local realtors. 

Put more technically, it’s the practice of structuring verifiable digital signals so AI systems can confidently identify:

• Who the agent is
• Where they operate
• What they specialize in
• Whether they are trustworthy

Realtor Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the same process, but for LLMs. It aims for recommendations from ChatGPT and Gemini, rather than Google’s AI snippet. 

Both AEO and GEO operate under very similar processes. They also share a similar foundation to traditional, local real estate SEO. 

For that reason, I’ve sourced these hacks from authorities with that background who are pivoting into optimizing for AI recommendations.

DIY vs expert real estate agent AEO/GEO hacks

Look at AEO as a sliding scale. You can definitely handle some basics on your own, but if you want to dial your visibility up to the max, you’ll need some technical expertise.

I’ve broken these hacks down into what you can tackle yourself versus what’s better left to the pros. 

Use this to see where you’re at. You might find you’re fine flying solo for now, or you might realize it’s time to call in an expert to handle the heavy lifting.

10 DIY hacks to boost AI recommendations

If you serve a rural area or specialize in highly particular kinds of property, you may be able to complete the steps below to enjoy the lion’s share of recommendations.

1. Get an AI visibility audit from a real estate AEO/GEO company.
2. Pick one version of your personal name, brokerage name, business address and phone number, and add them everywhere.
3. Pick your real, local core areas and repeat them consistently, instead of saying you serve the whole state.
4. Write one solid bio paragraph and paste it on Google, Zillow, Realtor.com, your site, etc.
5. Fill out your Google Business Profile completely: categories, services, areas, hours and description.
6. Post to your Google profile every two to three months—market updates, neighborhood notes, open-house recaps—using real place names naturally.
7. Reverse engineer real estate AEO strategies from expert marketing firms that publish some of their secret sauce. 
8. When you ask for a review, nudge for specifics without scripting it: “If you mention the neighborhood/city and your generation, that helps future buyers/sellers.”
9. Reply to every review like a professional, especially negative ones.
10. Add an “About Page” that answers four things clearly: who you are, where you work, what you specialize in and real, verifiable credibility signals, like links to awards, local involvement and media mentions.

5 expert hacks to boost AI recommendations

This section covers strategies that tech-savvy agents or real estate AEO firms can handle.

1. Create an AI Info Page on your website, specifically for LLMs to read.
2. Coding schema markup to promote entity verification and social proof verification.
3. Perform a deep-diving citation audit and cleanup across the wider web.
4. Write LLM-friendly PR releases for the most authoritative sources.
5. Secure guest spots on local podcasts or high-authority news features to place your name alongside established local brands, proving your authority to AI through association.

Benjamin Wagner is the Chief Marketing Officer at Inbound Real Estate Marketing. 
This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of HousingWire’s editorial department and its owners. To contact the editor responsible for this piece: zeb@hwmedia.com.