How to show up in AI searches as a Real Estate Agent.

For years, the answer to "How do I get more leads online?" was simple: be visible and show up on the first page of a Google search.

That answer has changed...

More and more people are skipping Google entirely and ask their AI assistants like ChatGPT, Grok, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot etc. their questions instead.

Instead of typing: "Sell my property in Durbanville", people are asking their AI:
"Who are the best estate agents in Durbanville?"
"Recommend a property expert in Somerset West."
"Who should I contact to sell my house in Irene Pretoria?"
"Which estate agents have the best reviews in Ballito?"

AI then provides a list of recommendations based on the information it has found online. This means that your online presence no longer just helps people find you via a Google search, it also helps AI decide whether to recommend you.

The good news? You don't need to be a technology expert to improve your chances of being recommended.

Here are some simple, practical steps every South African estate agent can start applying today.

1. Have your own professional website
Many agents rely only on Property24, Private Property etc. or social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. While these platforms are important, they don't tell your complete story.

Your own website gives AI somewhere to learn about you: Who you are, where you work, which areas you specialise in, what services you offer, your experience, expertise and client testimonials/reviews.

The more relevant information your website provides, the greater the chance that AI language models (LLMs) can access it and use it when recommending or referring people to your business.

2. Clearly state your areas of expertise
AI works best when information is specific.

Instead of saying "I sell property", rather say:

→ Residential property specialist in Centurion.
→ Luxury homes expert in Sandton.
→ First-time home buyer specialist in Durban North.
→ Smallholdings sales expert in Stellenbosch.
→ Retirement property expert in Somerset West.

The more specific you are, the easier it becomes for AI to know exactly when to recommend you.

3. Write helpful content
One of the easiest ways to build credibility online is by publishing useful content in the form of articles. Think about the questions your clients ask you every day.

Examples include:
→ How much is my property worth?
→ What extra costs should sellers budget for?
→ How long does it take to transfer a property?
→ What is an Offer to Purchase?
→ Tips for preparing your home before listing.

When you answer these questions, you're not only helping potential clients, you're also giving AI valuable information to use in a recommendation.

4. Collect more Google reviews
Reviews matter more than ever. When AI looks for trustworthy estate agents and businesses, online reviews help demonstrate credibility and trust.

Don't only ask your clients for verbal feedback. Send them a direct link to leave a Google review shortly after a successful registration or rental placement.

Aim for:
→ Genuine and honest reviews.
→ Detailed comments about your service delivery.
→ Regular new reviews throughout the year.

Twenty recent reviews are far more valuable than twenty reviews from five years ago.

5. Complete your Google Business profile
Many estate agents either don't have a Google Business profile or haven't updated it in years.

Make sure yours includes all the relevant and up to date information like the correct phone number, website address, email address, office hours, service areas, photos and a detailed business description.

Keep it updated whenever something changes.

6. Be consistent everywhere
One thing AI looks for is consistency.

Make sure the following information matches across all platforms:
→ Your name & surname.
→ Agency name.
→ Phone number.
→ Email address.
→ Website link.
→ Office address (if applicable).
→ Your photograph and company logo.

If one platform lists an old phone number while another has a new one, it creates confusion.

7. Stay active on LinkedIn
Many estate agents focus only on Facebook. LinkedIn is becoming increasingly valuable because it provides professional information in your 'About' section that AI can reference.

You don't have to post every day. Even posting once a week can help.

Share things like:
→ Recently sold properties.
→ Local market insights.
→ Advice for buyers/tenants.
→ Advice for sellers/landlords.
→ Community involvement projects.
→ Industry achievements.

8. Keep your social media active
You don't need thousands of followers. What matters is showing that you're active and knowledgeable in your field.

Regularly post:
→ New listings.
→ Sold properties.
→ Helpful tips.
→ Area information.
→ Success stories.
→ Community events.

Fresh content signals that you're actively working within your market.

9. Make sure your contact information is easy to find
This sounds obvious, but many websites make it surprisingly difficult to contact the right person. Your phone number, email address and contact form should be easy to find on every page.

The easier it is for people to contact you, the better their overall experience and your new leads will increase as well.

10. Build your reputation beyond property portals
Property portals are excellent for marketing listings, but they don't tell your full professional story.

AI also looks at:
→ Your website.
→ Google Business Profile.
→ LinkedIn.
→ Facebook.
→ Local news mentions.
→ Community involvement.
→ Professional directories.
→ Industry associations.

The more places that consistently talk about your expertise, the stronger your online authority becomes.

What does this mean for Estate Agents?
AI isn't replacing estate agents. It's changing how people discover them. Instead of scrolling through pages of Google results, many buyers and sellers are simply asking AI who they should trust.

If your online presence is complete, accurate and regularly updated, you have a much better chance of being included in those recommendations.

The best part is that most of these improvements don't require advanced technical skills. You simply need to create a professional, trustworthy online presence and keep it up to date.

Start with one or two improvements this month, then build from there. Small, consistent actions can make a significant difference over time.

How PropCon Can Help
Many of these recommendations can be managed directly through your PropCon CRM profile and website.

By regularly publishing articles, showcasing your areas of expertise and maintaining fresh property listings, you're building the type of online presence that both search engines and AI LLMs value.

The future of online search is already here. The question is no longer just whether clients can find you on Google, but whether AI will recommend you when they ask who they should work with.

How Can PropCon Benefit You?

Click on a button below to learn more about our budget friendly monthly fee or all the features that can help you grow your real estate business

Explore All Features

Pricing Calculator

We Syndicate To

and many more

View All Portals

We Integrate With

Bulk Communicate Using

SMS

Explore All Features

Trusted by Thousands

PropCon is trusted by thousands of estate agents throughout South Africa, providing them with an affordable, user-friendly real estate technology solution that enhances their sales and rental business operations in both the residential and commercial space.

Read Client Testimonials

Want to see PropCon in Action?

Start Free Trial

View Demo

View Pricing Calculator

Did You Know?

PropCon was designed for the individual agent, a small team and larger offices.

Your PropCon system allows you to work in your own bubble, collaborate with your team or the rest of the PropCon community.

Still got a question?

Frequently Ask Questions