What if there was a way to make individual MLS listings rank higher in SEO searches and AI searches? That is the question we’ve been asking at the Ellis Team, and we’ve done some extensive research on the topic.
For decades agents have focused on how to make themselves appear higher in searches so customers will hire them when they go to buy or sell real estate. But what about the actual listings themselves? We wanted to know if we could give Ellis Team listings an advantage and appear in search above similar neighborhood listings. It turns out you can.
Making MLS Listings Rank Higher in Search
There are two ways to make MLS listings rank higher in search. The first is the paid way. Ellis Team listings already rank higher on Homes.com because we have partnered with them to place Ellis Team listings at the top of search in the neighborhood, school searches, and on the main platform.
The other way is to understand how AI and search platforms group data together and what they’re looking for when choosing to display listings at the top of search. Obviously, they want their platform to be dominant, so they want listings at the top that people will click on. If consumers search and never click, the portal is likely to lose consumers, which doesn’t help their business model.
Cheat the Code
Our research has found the code AI and the search engines are looking for when choosing what to display. It’s kind of like having the test answers in front of you when you take a test. By having the answers, we know which questions to ask sellers to help us make their listings appear higher. Remember, when there are over 7,500 single family homes on the market in Lee County and over 4,000 condos, you’ve got to do something to differentiate your home. Otherwise, it gets lost in search and lingers on the market.
School Dance
Marketing your property is a lot like the school dance. Of course, pretty girls usually get asked to the dance, but so do the interesting girls. It’s not always fair, but that’s the way it was, at least back in my day. Every home listing can’t be the prettiest. Others might have a newer kitchen, new floors, new roof, outdoor kitchen, or other features. Some homes have been maintained better than others. Whatever your home has, you’ve got to find a way to showcase it and make it interesting. Differentiation is the word we use. We’ve got to differentiate your home versus all the others, or it will blend in and not be seen. We want to get your home noticed. It doesn’t have to be the prettiest, but it does have to stand out. Marketing can do that. Marketing should do that!
Secret Sauce
What’s our secret sauce? The main thing is we study the portals, the search engines, and the AI models and learn their algorithms. We don’t know everything, but we think differently. Instead of thinking about how we can make ourselves stand out, we think how we can make our listings stand out. If we can do that, our clients win. There is no substitute for marketing. Simply placing a home in MLS and expecting the portals to sell your home is proof that the portals don’t sell homes.
Always Call the Ellis Team
If you’ve got a property to sell, Always call Brett or Sande Ellis of the Ellis Team at Keller Williams Realty 239-489-4042. We’ll ask all the right questions and get your home to stand out. We’ll even show you how our marketing will make your home stand out. Or visit www.SWFLhomevlaues.com to get an instant online estimate of your home’s value.