Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Property Industry Eye. Read the original article for full details.

Estate Agents Face Online Criticism When Building Visibility

A recent report by Property Industry Eye discusses the challenges estate agents encounter when posting online. While increased visibility is encouraged in the industry, agents often receive negative comments that can make them hesitant to share their knowledge.

The article notes that estate agents are frequently advised to be visible online, share their expertise, and build their personal brand. This visibility is considered important, as sellers often research agents online before making contact. However, the report highlights that posting publicly can attract unkind or dismissive comments from others.

Some agents have experienced criticism even when sharing reasonable or helpful advice. The article gives an example of a comment simply stating, “What a load of tosh,” in response to an agent’s published advice. Such feedback can cause agents to pause before posting again, not necessarily due to discomfort with the content, but because of concerns about negative responses.

Despite this, the report points out that most people who read online posts do not comment, and some may quietly appreciate the information or remember the agent’s name for future needs. The article suggests that agents who are comfortable posting online have accepted that criticism is part of the process.

This issue is relevant for UK letting agents and inventory clerks who use online platforms to reach potential clients and share industry insights. The report concludes that while negative comments are a reality, they are outweighed by the benefits of increased visibility and potential client engagement.