The Great Shift: From SEO to AEO and GEO – A 2025 Survival Guide for Santa Clarita Businesses and Realtors

By Connor MacIvor (Connor with Honor) Honorably Retired LAPD | Santa Clarita Realtor | AI Growth Architect

TL;DR: The Executive Summary for Busy Agents & Business Owners

If you are looking for the "Cliff's Notes" version of where the internet is going, here it is: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) as you knew it is dead. We are no longer optimizing for a search engine that gives us ten blue links. We are optimizing for Answer Engines (AEO) and Generative Engines (GEO) that provide a single, definitive answer.

Here is what you need to know right now:

1. The Search Landscape Has Shifted: People are using ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity to find local businesses (like locksmiths and Realtors), not just Google.

2. The "Near Me" Search is Evolving: If you aren't on Bing Places (Microsoft) and updating your Google Business Profile daily, you are invisible to the AI.

3. Voice & Booking Agents are Essential: It is not about replacing staff; it is about "insinuating" AI to handle the 2:00 AM calls and book appointments while you sleep.

4. Video Matters More Than Ever: Your video content must match your verbiage to trigger Video Engine Optimization (VEO).

5. Trust is the New Currency: In an age of AI, the "cap behind the curtain" will be exposed. Radical honesty is the only way to rank.

If you are ready to future-proof your business, amplify your abilities, and dominate the Santa Clarita market, read on.

Introduction: The Perfect Storm of Artificial Intelligence

Welcome to the Santa Clarita Artificial Intelligence blog. If you are a regular here, or if you tune into my weekly Monday webinars, you know that I don't speak in hypotheticals. I speak in tactics. I was LAPD for 17 years regular and another 5 as a reserve officer. In law enforcement, we deal with facts, evidence, and results. We don't have the luxury of guessing.

I apply that same rigorous mindset to Real Estate and Artificial Intelligence.

Right now, we are witnessing the perfect storm—an alignment of the planets, so to speak. We are seeing massive updates from the big heavy hitters: Grok is popping, Gemini has released powerful updates, OpenAI is constantly iterating, and Claude is refining its logical capabilities.

For the last twenty years, we lived in a Google-dominated world. But the era of simply stuffing keywords into a website and hoping for the best is over. We are moving from a "Search Engine Optimized" world into an "Artificial Intelligence Optimized" world.

If you are a real estate agent in Santa Clarita, a local plumber, a lawyer, or a coffee shop owner, you need to change the way you enter data online. This post is going to breakdown exactly how to do that, how to leverage Voice AI to amplify your workforce, and how to ensure your business is the answer the AI gives when a client asks, "Who is the best in town?"

Part 1: The History of Search (And Why Google is Scrambling)

To understand where we are going, we have to look at the breadcrumbs of where we came from.

Back in the day, Google broke away from the pack by a massive margin. Why? Because they had a core operational procedure to give the best results to the user.

Do you remember the competition? We had Lycos. We had Yahoo Search. We had AOL (America Online). We had Netscape. We even had Ask Jeeves. It was a crowded field. But Google’s scientists—these fantastically brilliant minds—solved the problem of relevance. They figured out how to give you the perfect result.

For a long time, that "perfect result" was a list. You searched for "Real Estate Agent Santa Clarita," and Google gave you a menu: a website here, a blog there, a YouTube video, maybe a Facebook page. It wasn't making a selection for you; it was giving you options.

The Rise of Pay-Per-Click and the SERP

Initially, there were no ads. But Google quickly realized the monetary value of that real estate. Soon, the top of the Search Engine Results Page (SERP) was dominated by sponsored positions. Insurance, real estate, legal services—if you paid, you were at the top.

But that model is changing.

Enter the Answer Engine

Now, users are turning to Artificial Intelligence to conduct basic searches. They aren't just "Googling" it anymore. They are asking:

• "Hey ChatGPT, find me a coffee shop near me that is open right now."

• "Hey Gemini, who is the best hit-and-run attorney in Santa Clarita?"

• "Hey Claude, plan my weekend open house schedule."

These engines don't want to give you a list of links. They want to give you the answer. This is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO).

If you want to dive deeper into the history of this shift, I wrote a detailed breakdown here: The Dot Com Boom's Dirty SEO Secrets Meet AI.

Part 2: The "Locksmith" Test – How AI Decides Who Exists

Let me give you a real-world example I discussed in my video this morning. I went to ChatGPT and I simply asked: "Can you recommend a local locksmith?"

I didn't check my spelling. I didn't use perfect grammar. That’s the beauty of Large Language Models (LLMs)—they understand intent.

ChatGPT didn't just guess. It went online. It browsed the live web. It came back with a recommendation: Magic Lock and Key.

Why them?

When I analyzed the result, ChatGPT provided a citation. It pulled that data from a specific source. Upon closer inspection of the URL, it became clear that the AI was pulling from a combination of high-rating directories and, crucially, Bing.

The Bing Connection

Here is the secret that most SEO "gurus" are missing: ChatGPT and Microsoft Co-Pilot rely heavily on the Bing search index.

For years, people ignored Bing. "Nobody uses Bing," they said. Well, the most powerful AI on the planet uses Bing. If your business is not verified on Bing Places, you are invisible to a huge segment of AI search traffic.

When ChatGPT recommends a business, it is looking for:

1. Relevance: Does the business do exactly what the user asked?

2. Proximity: Is it actually local (GEO specificity)?

3. Authority: Is the data consistent across the web?

4. Recency: Has the business posted an update recently?

If you are relying on a Google My Business profile you haven't touched in six months, you are losing market share daily.

Part 3: The New Rules of Engagement (GEO and AEO Strategies)

So, how do we optimize for this? How do we make sure that when someone asks for a Realtor or a Lawyer, the AI spits out your name?

It comes down to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).

1. The Foundation: Google Business Profile (The "Daily" Grind)

First and foremost, you must have a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). But having it isn't enough.

The Secret Sauce: You need to update it every single day. I'm not talking about changing your phone number daily. I'm talking about "Google Posts." Updates about your business, photos of your recent work, Q&As.

Why? Because AI engines view "freshness" as a proxy for "active and reliable." If your competitor posts once a month and you post once a day, the algorithm assumes you are the more active, relevant business.

I actually offer a service through my agency where we automate this. We have an automated system that ensures constant, relevant updates are pushed to your profile so you never miss a beat. You can read more about that strategy here: Santa Clarita's New Local Playbook: Winning Google Business Maps.

2. The Sleeping Giant: Bing Places

As I mentioned with the locksmith example, you must claim your Bing Places for Business listing.

Microsoft owns a massive stake in OpenAI (ChatGPT). When you ask ChatGPT for a local recommendation, it is often checking Bing's map data.

• Action Item: Go to Bing Places today. It allows you to sync your data directly from Google My Business. It takes five minutes, but it opens you up to the entire ChatGPT user base.

3. The Structure of Your Content (Q&A)

You need to change the way you write. In the old days, we wrote long, flowing paragraphs for humans. Now, we need to structure content for machines and humans.

The Q&A Format: Structure your blog posts and social media updates as Questions and Answers.

• Question: "What is the best way to handle a hit and run in Santa Clarita?"

• Answer: "The best way to handle a hit and run in Santa Clarita is to immediately document the scene..."

This structure is "baked in" specifically for AI. When an AI scrapes your site, it sees the question and the direct answer, making it highly likely to cite you as the source.

For more on this shift from SEO to AEO, check out my deep dive: From SEO to AEO: How Real Estate and Niche Businesses Will Dominate.

Part 4: Amplifying Your Workflow with AI Agents (Not Replacing Humans)

One of the biggest fears I hear—and I address this in my AI Safety and Growth articles—is that AI is going to replace people.

Let me be clear: We are not talking about getting rid of people. We are talking about insinuating your current staff.

The 24/7 Problem

I remember when it used to be incredibly expensive to have someone answer your phone 24 hours a day. You had to hire a service, maybe use ODesk (now Upwork) to find overseas help, and the quality varied.

Today, we have AI Voice Agents.

How It Works

We can implement an AI overlay on your phone system.

1. The Call Comes In: The full phone call is forwarded to the AI system.

2. The Interaction: The AI picks up. It sounds human. It is very, very humanistic. It understands context, pauses, and tone.

3. The Workflow:

   • If the caller needs to book an appointment, the AI checks your live calendar and books it.

   • If the caller needs a specific resource, the AI texts it to them instantly.

   • If the caller demands to speak to a human or leave a voicemail, the AI routes it accordingly.

This means if a potential client calls your law firm at 2:00 AM because they are stressed about a case, the AI responds. By the time you get to the office in the morning, the appointment is already on your calendar. You haven't lost the lead to the competitor who picked up the phone.

The Web Chat Voice Agent

We also just rolled out a new feature: Voice Agents embedded in Chat Widgets. Instead of just typing into a chat box on a website, a client can click a microphone button and say, "Call me here." You can speak through your computer with an AI agent that has been programmed with your business data, your FAQs, and your brand personality.

If you want to see how this works for specific industries, I wrote a playbook for plumbers that applies to almost any service business: The 24/7 Voice AI Front Desk for Plumbers.

Part 5: Video Engine Optimization (VEO) – Matching Visuals to Verbiage

We talked about SEO (Text). We talked about AEO (Answers). Now we need to talk about VEO (Video Engine Optimization).

When I record a video—like the one this transcript is based on—I am not just rambling. I am structuring the video to be indexed.

The Consistency Rule

If you have a video where you are talking about "Buyer Experience," but the video is just you driving your car listening to music, the AI knows. The video visual needs to match the verbiage.

The "Hit and Run" Case Study

Let’s use an example from my law enforcement background. If you are an attorney or an investigator creating content about traffic collisions, you need to be specific.

Scenario: A Fender Bender where the other party refuses to identify themselves.

• The Crime: In California, this could be a misdemeanor hit and run (no injury) or a felony (injury).

• The Advice: As a former LAPD officer, I tell people: back in the day, people drove off because there were no cameras. Today, everyone has a camera.

• The Video Strategy: In the video, I would explicitly say: "Get a picture of the car. Email it to yourself immediately in case they smash your phone. Take a picture of the neighborhood—capture the Ring doorbells in the background."

Why is this good VEO? Because modern phones take billboard-sized photos. The AI knows this. When you explain why (capturing Ring cameras for evidence), you are providing high-value, authoritative content. The AI transcript engines pick this up. They see you are not just saying "Call me for a lawyer," you are giving actionable, expert advice on "evidence collection."

This ranks you higher as a subject matter authority.

I discuss how to use tools like this in my post: Santa Clarita AI Reel Embedder.

Part 6: Real Estate Specifics – The Transfer of Currency

For my fellow Realtors, this shift is critical. We have a lot of agents who are afraid to talk about the hard stuff. They are afraid to talk about lending because they think they aren't allowed to.

The Compliance Reality: Of course, there are things I cannot do. I cannot quote a specific interest rate if I am not the lender originating the loan. I cannot get into the weeds of underwriting.

• However: I CAN talk about what a Good Faith Estimate is.

• I CAN talk about a Truth in Lending Statement.

• I CAN say, "If your lender is charging you X amount, you need to ask why."

The "Cap Behind the Curtain" There are people in our industry who want to keep the consumer in the dark. They are the "Wizard of Oz," hiding behind the curtain. But guess what? The transfer of currency is more critical today than ever. Information is currency. If you are hiding information, the AI will expose you. A client can ask ChatGPT, "What are the hidden fees in a Santa Clarita real estate transaction?" and it will tell them. If you aren't the one telling them first, you have lost their trust.

Honesty and truth are your best AEO strategies. When your content is compliant but transparent, the AI engines pull that data and provide it to the people.

Read more about my take on this industry shift: Dominate Santa Clarita Real Estate SEO and AEO Strategies.

Part 7: Implementing This in Your Business (The How-To)

You might be reading this thinking, "Connor, this sounds great, but how do I actually build this?"

Step 1: The Audit

You need to figure out where you are. Go to Google. Search your business name. Then search your category ("Plumber Santa Clarita"). See where you land. Then, go to ChatGPT and ask it: "Who is the best [Your Category] in Santa Clarita?" If it’s not you, we have work to do.

Step 2: The Automation

You cannot do this manually every day. You need a system. At Honor Elevate (my agency), we build these workflows.

• We build the booking agents.

• We formulate the schedules.

• We program the AI with your specific business data.

This ensures that when a client interacts with your brand—whether via voice, chat, or search—they get a consistent, accurate experience.

Step 3: The Education

You need to stay ahead of the curve. I host a Weekly Webinar every Monday at 10:00 AM. It is free. It doesn't cost you a dime. We go through slides, we look at live data, and I show you exactly what is changing in the AI landscape that week.

You can register for the next class here: Join the Weekly AI for Realtors & Local Businesses Class.

Part 8: Frequently Asked Questions (AEO Optimized)

To practice what I preach, I am including a structured Q&A section here. This is exactly how you should structure your own website to be picked up by Answer Engines.

Q: What is the difference between SEO and AEO? A: SEO (Search Engine Optimization) focuses on ranking a website to appear in a list of links (SERPs). AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) focuses on structuring content so that AI models (like ChatGPT or Gemini) can understand it and present it as the single, direct answer to a user's question.

Q: Do I really need to update my Google Business Profile every day? A: Yes. Frequent updates signal to search algorithms that a business is active, operational, and engaged. This "freshness" factor is a major ranking signal for local search ("Near Me" searches).

Q: Will AI replace my receptionist? A: No, AI is designed to amplify your staff, not replace them. An AI Voice Agent can handle overflow calls, after-hours inquiries, and basic scheduling, allowing your human staff to focus on complex customer service issues and high-value interactions.

Q: Is Bing Places actually important for local businesses? A: Yes, significantly. Because Microsoft's Bing powers the search capabilities of ChatGPT and Microsoft Co-Pilot, having a verified and optimized Bing Places listing ensures your business is discoverable by users of these AI tools.

Q: How do I get started with AI for my Santa Clarita business? A: The best first step is to audit your current digital footprint and attend educational workshops. You can join Connor MacIvor's free weekly webinar at SantaClaritaArtificialIntelligence.com to learn the basics and advanced strategies.

Conclusion: Don't Get Left Behind

The transition from the information age to the intelligence age is happening right now. It's not coming next year; it's here. The "links" are disappearing. The "answers" are taking over.

You have two choices:

1. Stick to the old SEO tactics and watch your traffic fade as people stop using traditional Google search.

2. Adapt to AEO, implement Voice AI, and position yourself as the authoritative source in your niche.

I am making a name for myself in this space because I believe in it. I dropped 135 pounds of fat using discipline and data (shout out to @homemuscle), and I apply that same discipline to business growth.

I am Connor MacIvor, Connor with Honor. If you want to build these systems, if you want to integrate Voice AI into your workflows, or if you just want to sell your home for top dollar using these advanced strategies, let me know.

Check out the blog at SantaClaritaArtificialIntelligence.com/blog. Use my affiliate link for GoHighLevel if you are building this yourself: https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=connorwithhonor Or check out Honor Elevate: https://honorelevate.com

Be safe, and I'll talk to you soon.