AEO for Mortgage Brokers:
Be the Broker AI Recommends When Borrowers Ask
What Is AEO — And Why Every Mortgage Broker Needs to Understand It in 2025
Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) is the practice of structuring your online presence so that AI-powered platforms — ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, Siri, Gemini, and Bing Copilot — cite, reference, and recommend your brokerage when a borrower asks a finance question.
The best marketing agency for mortgage brokers would have started AEO before the rise of GPT. We surely did.
Where SEO is about ranking on a list of links, AEO is about becoming the answer itself. When someone asks an AI “who’s the best mortgage broker in Doncaster?” or “what’s the best home loan for a self-employed buyer?”, AEO is what determines whether the AI names you — or your competitor.
The Search Behaviour Shift That’s Already Happening — Whether Brokers Are Ready or Not
Borrowers are changing how they research home loans. The shift from “Google it” to “ask the AI” is accelerating faster than most brokers realise.
SEO vs AEO: What’s the Difference, and Do You Still Need Both?
AEO doesn’t replace SEO — it extends it into the AI layer. But the strategies that win on Google alone are not sufficient to win in AI search. Here’s how they compare.
| Dimension | Traditional SEO | AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Rank high on a Google results page | Be cited or recommended by an AI as the answer |
| User behaviour | User types keywords, scans links, clicks through | User asks a natural language question, AI gives a direct answer |
| Content format | Keyword-rich pages, optimised headings and meta | Question-and-answer structure, direct declarative statements, schema markup |
| Trust signals | Backlinks, domain authority, click-through rates | E-E-A-T signals, structured data, consistent entity data across the web, citations in credible publications |
| Local relevance | Google Business Profile, local citations, geo pages | All of the above PLUS natural language references to location, neighbourhood-specific Q&A, and consistent NAP data |
| Result type | A position in a ranked list — user must click | A named recommendation or citation — AI refers users directly to you |
| Timeframe | Months to years to build ranking authority | Can influence AI recommendations in 3–6 months with the right strategy |
| Competition level | Highly competitive — brokers have been optimising for years | Early mover advantage — most brokers have not started yet |
| Do you still need it? | ✓ Yes — SEO remains essential | ✓ Yes — AEO is the next layer, not a replacement |
How ChatGPT and Google AI Actually Decide Which Broker to Recommend
AI engines don’t rank websites — they synthesise information from across the web to form an answer. To become the broker an AI recommends, you need to be the broker the AI has seen cited, referenced, and discussed in authoritative sources consistently over time.
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Entity Recognition — AI models build a “knowledge graph” about entities. If your name, business name, location, and area of expertise are consistently mentioned across reviews, directories, publications, and your own website, the AI recognises you as a credible, real entity in the mortgage broker space.
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Content Depth and Specificity — AI rewards brokers who provide genuinely useful, specific answers to the questions borrowers ask. Generic “we offer great rates” content scores poorly. Detailed explanations of how construction loans work in Victoria, or what SMSF lending criteria look like, signal real expertise.
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Third-Party Validation — AI heavily weights references from sources it already trusts — Google reviews, Rate My Agent, LinkedIn profiles, industry directories, local news mentions, and mortgage industry publications. Being cited in these sources builds your AI credibility independently of your website.
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Structured Data and Schema Markup — Technical markup on your website (FAQ schema, LocalBusiness schema, Person schema for individual brokers) tells AI crawlers exactly what your business does, where it operates, and what questions you answer. Without it, the AI has to guess — and it will often guess wrong.
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E-E-A-T Signals — Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. AI platforms look for the same signals Google introduced in its YMYL (Your Money, Your Life) quality guidelines: ASIC credit licence numbers, MFAA or FBAA membership, professional credentials, and author bio pages that establish you as a qualified professional.
This Is What AEO Looks Like — The Difference Between Being Named and Being Invisible
When a borrower asks an AI for a mortgage broker recommendation, this is the kind of response they receive. The broker with AEO in place gets named. Everyone else doesn’t exist.
Without AEO — Broker is invisible
With AEO — Broker is cited by name
Key questions to ask any broker: Are they ASIC-licensed? Do they have access to multiple lenders (not just one bank)? Can they walk you through the First Home Guarantee? A broker who specialises in your buyer type will consistently find better options than a generalist.
The difference between these two responses is not luck or budget. It’s AEO strategy — structured content, entity-building, schema markup, and third-party citations working together to make your business the obvious answer.
The 6 AI Platforms Australian Borrowers Are Using — And What Each One Needs From You
Not all AI platforms work the same way. Each has distinct signals it prioritises when deciding which businesses to recommend. Here’s what you need to know about each one.
8 AEO Strategies Every Mortgage Broker Should Implement — In Priority Order
These are not theoretical tactics. They are the specific, actionable steps that determine whether an AI platform recommends your brokerage or someone else’s.
What AEO-Optimised Content Looks Like vs Standard Broker Website Copy
The difference between content AI will cite and content AI will ignore often comes down to structure, specificity, and directness. Here’s a side-by-side comparison.
Standard broker copy — AI ignores this
Home Loans for Self-Employed Borrowers
Are you self-employed and struggling to get a home loan? At XYZ Finance, we understand the unique challenges faced by business owners and self-employed professionals. Our experienced team of mortgage brokers will work tirelessly to find you the best home loan solution that fits your needs and goals.
We have access to over 40 lenders and can help you navigate the complex lending landscape. Our personalised service ensures that we always put your interests first. Contact us today for a free consultation!
AEO-optimised content — AI can cite this
Can self-employed borrowers get a home loan in Australia?
Yes — self-employed borrowers can absolutely obtain home loans in Australia, but lenders assess your application differently to PAYG applicants. Here’s what you need to know:
- Most lenders require 2 years of tax returns and business financials as income verification
- Your assessable income is typically your last 2 years’ average net profit (after addbacks)
- Low-doc loans exist for borrowers who cannot provide full financials — rates are typically 0.3–0.8% higher
- Some lenders will accept 1 year’s trading history if your industry has strong ABN history
- Your business structure (sole trader vs company vs trust) affects how income is calculated
The most common mistake self-employed borrowers make is minimising taxable income for ATO purposes — which simultaneously reduces the income lenders will count. A mortgage broker experienced in self-employed lending can identify lenders whose assessment methodology suits your specific financial structure.
AEO, Compliance, and the ASIC Digital Marketing Guidelines — What Brokers Must Know
AEO content that answers borrower questions must still comply with ASIC’s regulatory guidance on digital marketing for credit licensees. The good news: compliance and AEO performance are not in conflict — in fact, well-disclosed, balanced content actually performs better in AI recommendations because it signals trustworthiness.
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Interest rate claims require clear conditions — If your AEO content references specific rates or comparisons, it must include the conditions, comparison rate, and applicable disclaimer. Vague rate claims without disclosures are both a compliance risk and an AI credibility risk.
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General advice vs personal advice — AEO content should be positioned as general information only. Your FAQ and article content should carry a standard disclaimer: “This information is general in nature and does not constitute financial advice. Please seek advice appropriate to your circumstances.” This is both a regulatory requirement and an AEO trust signal.
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Your ASIC credit licence number is an AEO asset — Displaying your ACL or ACR number prominently is a compliance requirement under the National Credit Act — and it’s also a powerful E-E-A-T signal for AI platforms evaluating whether you’re a legitimate, regulated professional worth recommending.
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Testimonials and client outcomes — ASIC’s guidance on testimonials in financial services marketing applies to AEO content equally. Avoid comparative claims (“we got them the best rate in Australia”) and focus on process and experience outcomes (“helped them understand their options for a construction loan across 12 lenders”).
Mortgage Brokers’ Most Common Questions About AEO — Answered
Australian Brokers on Working With MAP for SEO and AEO
“We’ve ranked page 1 for multiple key searches, and the SEO results have been tremendous over the past 3–4 years. Consistent, reliable growth with no shortcuts.”
“Improved rankings and organic enquiries quickly. Genuine, honest, and proactive throughout — they genuinely care about the results, not just the retainer.”
“Deep SEO expertise combined with strategic clarity. A trusted, results-focused operator who delivers what he promises — every time, without the usual agency fluff.”
“The SEO was working within just a few months. Always goes above and beyond with fast, reliable support. Results were measurable from early on.”
“Exceptional SEO knowledge with clear strategic direction. Generous with time and genuinely easy to work with — rare combination of technical depth and commercial clarity.”
“Acts in your best interests and consistently delivers results. A trusted long-term advisor who understands financial services deeply — not just the marketing side of it.”
Here’s What We Cover in Your FREE 30-Minute AEO & SEO Blueprint Call
A session focused entirely on where your brokerage sits in AI search right now — and exactly what it would take to change that.
- Live AI Audit: We’ll test your brokerage against real AI queries right now — ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews — and show you exactly where you appear, where you’re missing, and what’s causing each result.
- Entity Gap Analysis: We’ll identify every directory, platform, and publication where your entity data is missing, inconsistent, or wrong — the single biggest quick-win in AEO for most brokers.
- Schema Markup Review: We’ll check whether your website is currently using FAQ, LocalBusiness, and Person schema — and what it’s costing you in AI visibility if it isn’t.
- Content Opportunity Map: The top 10 questions borrowers are asking AI platforms in your niche and suburb that your website currently has no answer for — each one is a citation opportunity you’re leaving to someone else.
- E-E-A-T Assessment: A review of how your current website signals credibility and expertise to AI platforms — and the specific changes that would have the highest immediate impact.
- Citation Building Priorities: The 5 highest-value external publications and platforms where a mention of your brokerage would most improve your AI recommendation profile.
- Compliance Check: A quick review of your current digital content against ASIC’s guidance on financial services marketing — making sure your AEO strategy never creates regulatory exposure.
- 90-Day AEO Roadmap: A prioritised, actionable plan of what to do in the next 90 days to begin appearing in AI recommendations — tailored to your specific niche, location, and current digital baseline.
Most Brokers Won’t Start AEO Until It’s Competitive. The Ones Who Start Now Will Own It.
The window to become the broker AI platforms recommend in your market is open right now — and it won’t stay this uncrowded for long. Every month that passes, more brokers will discover AEO. The ones who build their AI authority now will have a compounding advantage that takes years for competitors to close.
Your FREE 30-minute AEO Blueprint Call will show you exactly where your brokerage stands in AI search today, what it would take to change it, and the precise first steps to take. No pressure. No commitment. Just clarity.
Note: AEO is an evolving field and AI platform behaviour changes frequently. The strategies outlined on this page reflect best current practice as of 2025–2026. We continuously update our approach as platforms evolve. All content strategies are developed in compliance with ASIC’s regulatory guidance on digital marketing for Australian credit licensees.
Ready to Be the Broker AI Recommends?
Book your free 30-minute AEO and SEO Blueprint Call. We’ll audit your current AI visibility live, show you exactly what’s missing, and give you a clear roadmap to becoming the broker ChatGPT, Google AI, and Perplexity recommend in your market.
No pitch. No pressure. Just a strategic conversation with someone who has spent years in financial services search — and knows exactly what it takes to build broker authority in the age of AI.