But now there’s a new player: GEO, generative engine optimization. But now there’s a new player: GEO, generative engine optimization.
Instead of trying to be discovered by Google, we also now have to think about being recommended by AI search tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini and others. The agents who understand how to control what AI “knows” about them and how it interprets their authority will own the next generation of online visibility.
7 tips for getting AI’s attention with generative engine optimization
Let’s break down the seven things AI already knows about you and how to make sure it sees you as the go-to local expert in your market.
1. Identity and reputation
AI begins by analyzing what you can tell it about yourself, such as your profile, bio, and online reputation. Make sure that all of your platforms have the same information. This will help you to be more visible. AI can be confused if your profile on one website says that you are a consultant in one city but another site states a completely different one. Make sure that you use the same keywords in all your profiles about what you do, where you are located and why you’re unique. Your reviews (and where they’re posted)
Currently, ChatGPT is unable to read or reference Google reviews directly. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they aren’t important. This is where weaving information about your reviews into bios and “about me” pages can be valuable for AI recognition. This is where weaving information about your reviews into bios and about me pages can be valuable for AI recognition.
For example, the following sentence is one that AI will love:
“With more than 100 five-star reviews on Google, Zillow and Realtor.com, Jimmy Burgess has become a trusted name in real estate across the Emerald Coast.”
That one sentence gives the algorithm quotable, confidence-building data.
If you have the opportunity, coach your reviewers.
For the clients who love you, guide them to mention your city, your niche and the specific result you helped them achieve. Those keywords matter to AI as much as they do to Google.
Another key is to spread your reviews out over multiple platforms. This can be done by asking a customer who has left a positive review to copy it and paste it on another website. You can help your clients out by sending an email to them after they have left a Google review (for example) saying:
Thank you for the nice words! If you don’t mind, it would really help me out if you could copy and paste your review onto Zillow and
Realtor.com
. Your YouTube and social media content AI can now read your social content, and it knows who is creating
current
,
local, or even authentic
posts. Your social media and YouTube content
AI now reads your social content, and it can tell who’s creating [your city]current
,
local and authentic posts.Colby Anderson, an agent in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, had AI recommend him to a prospective builder who asked ChatGPT for an active agent in a specific neighborhood. ChatGPT shared that Anderson had recently posted on Instagram about the neighborhood. This highlighted the importance of having an active presence online, since algorithms are increasingly prioritizing recent content. For real estate professionals, leveraging social media by consistently posting local content can lead to valuable connections and opportunities.So what should you be posting?Local lifestyle videos (restaurants, trails, events)
Market updates with neighborhood names
Comparison videos between areas or price points
When you post, tag your location, not just your city, but your specific neighborhood or community name. It’s better to be more specific. Share your market activity. Don’t post just “JUST Sold!” graphics. You can share the details of the transaction: The challenge that the client was facing, how you assisted them in overcoming it and the result. You could say: “After having their home listed for 6 months with another agent, we listed it with them and got it sold within 3 weeks.” By repositioning the marketing, improving the visuals and executing on our 21-point listing launch strategy, we were able to get their home sold when others were not able to do so, and the sellers were able to move closer to their grandchildren.”
- This type of scripting gives the algorithm and potential sellers everything they need to see you as the problem solver in your area.
- 5. You’re known by what you share. AI rewards knowledge sharing. Every how-to video, market insight or buyer-tip article you publish becomes part of your expertise trail that proves you know your stuff.
- You don’t have to be a content machine; you just need to document what you already know.
Turn a client question into a quick video Reel for Instagram.
Turn a pricing conversation into a LinkedIn or Facebook post.
Turn a showing-day story into a TikTok video about what buyers are looking for right now.
- Each small piece of educational content strengthens your signal as the “trusted guide” in your market. AI learns to recognize patterns over time and, as you continue teaching, it will recommend you more often when asked, “Who is the expert agent (in your city)?” You can show your local authority by displaying it.
- One thing AI looks at is how well you are integrated into the community. You can demonstrate local authority two different ways.
- A. Through your content
Post things like:
“5 Best Restaurants for Date Night in Destin”
“Where to Watch Fireworks This Fourth of July”
“Top Family-Friendly Fall Festivals Near Santa Rosa Beach”
These posts make you more than a real estate agent; they make you the local resource.
B. Through your involvement
If you’re sponsoring a Little League team, part of the PTA or volunteering with a local charity, share those stories too. The more your posts are linked to community activities and events in your area, the better the AI algorithm can identify you. Your thought leadership
- Finally, AI looks for thought leadership, proof that you’re not just part of your community but a voice within it. That can happen locally, regionally or nationally.
- Here are some ways to get started:
- Quoted.com
and
Help a Reporter Out (HARO):
Register to answer media questions about real estate, market trends or local developments. You can get your quotes indexed and referenced online by AI.
Local Media:
Develop relationships with local journalists, editors of local newspapers, radio hosts and podcast producers. Offer to provide housing market updates or comment on new development projects.
Your own podcast or YouTube interviews:
- Spotlight local business owners, school principals or community leaders. When you’re the one creating the content, you’re the one the algorithm recognizes as the source.
- Remember, the goal isn’t to brag; it’s to own the narrative.
- The more you share insights about your market, the more likely AI will point back to you when someone asks, “Who’s the most knowledgeable agent in
?”
SEO isn’t dead; it’s just evolving. Next-generation search is for those that appear in AI generative results. If you do, you’ll not only show up in search, you’ll show up in conversation.
Because the next time someone asks ChatGPT, “Who’s the best real estate agent in
?” You want the answer to be you.