CAPE CORAL, Fla. - s4story -- CAPE CORAL, FL - Bobby Kerr, founder of LOC8 My Business, has published his first article as an Inman contributor. "Homebuyers are asking AI for agent recommendations. Here's how it decides who to pick" ran on Inman on August 31, 2026.

The article explains how homebuyers now ask ChatGPT, Gemini, and other AI tools for the names of two or three local agents, then look those agents up on Google before they call. An agent with a weak Google presence can lose twice: once in the AI answer, and again when the buyer checks.

Kerr audited Google Business Profiles for real estate agents in more than 160 U.S. and Canadian markets. He found that the agents AI recommends share four traits:

- Clear identity. The right primary category, a description that names specialties and service areas, and the same name and brokerage details everywhere.
- Specific reviews. Reviews that mention neighborhoods, price points, and buyer situations help more than generic praise.

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- Mentions on independent websites. News stories, association pages, podcasts, and "best agents" roundups act as votes of confidence.
- Consistent information. When the profile, website, and portals disagree, AI tools hedge and recommend someone else.

The article cites Near Media research showing that 60 to 70 percent of AI users have used AI for local search. It also cites a BrightLocal survey of 1,227 U.S. adults in which only 18 percent said they would contact a business straight from an AI answer without checking further.

"Agents can't pay their way into an AI recommendation," said Kerr. "They earn it with a clean Google profile, reviews in their clients' own words, and the same name and details everywhere they show up online."

The article gives agents four steps to take this quarter:

1. Audit your Google Business Profile the way a stranger would see it.
2. Ask clients what you helped them do and where, instead of asking for "a quick review."

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3. Earn two or three independent mentions, such as a comment to a local reporter or a local podcast appearance.
4. Each month, ask ChatGPT and Gemini who the best agents in your market are, and see what they say about you.

About LOC8 My Business
LOC8 My Business is a real estate marketing agency based in Southwest Florida. The company builds and manages Google Business Profiles for real estate agents, teams, and brokerages across the US and Canada, and has built and trained more than 1,000 real estate profiles. Bobby Kerr is an Inman contributor and a licensed eXp agent. Learn more at LOC8MyBusiness.com
Original article at: https://www.inman.com/2026/08/31/how-to-get-recommended-by-ai/

Media contact: Bobby Kerr, LOC8 My Business