Is AI a Threat to Online Property Giants Like REA?
Australian Financial Review
SKIPPED
Details
- Date Published
- 13 Dec 2025
- Priority Score
- 2
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 14 Dec 2025, 09:25 pm
Description
The fear that AI will threaten the monopolies of the online property platforms has destroyed billions of dollars in a matter of weeks.
Summary
The article explores concerns about AI's potential to disrupt the online property listing industry, particularly focusing on Australia's REA Group, which operates realestate.com.au. As AI technologies advance, there's fear that these powerful tools could dismantle the existing dominance of major platforms by enhancing search and personalization capabilities. While the piece touches on disruption, it does not directly address existential AI risks but highlights the significant economic impact that AI could have on established digital property platforms. This exploration reflects broader considerations within AI policy and safety discussions, primarily focusing on market implications.
Body
PropertyResidentialInvestingPrint articleDec 14, 2025 – 9.00amSaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginIt was one of the greatest tech investments in Australian history. In 1995, media scion Lachlan Murdoch invested $10 million in online property classifieds platform realestate.com.au, buying 44 per cent of the company while spending just $2 million in cash – the rest was free advertisements in News Corporation newspapers.Today, REA Group is a $25 billion ASX-listed giant, which makes News Corp’s distressed play three decades ago, a thousand bagger. The incredible success of REA has shaped a generation of stockpickers who now scour the globe to get exposure to these dominant cash machines. It’s been a winning trade – until now.Loading...Jonathan Shapiro writes about banking and finance, specialising in hedge funds, corporate debt, private equity and investment banking. He is based in Sydney. Connect with Jonathan on Twitter. Email Jonathan at jonathan.shapiro@afr.comSaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreInvestingOpinionMedia & marketingLachlan MurdochREA GroupNews CorpAmazonAIOpenAIGoogleSharemarketDomain Holdings Australia LimitedJPMorgan ChaseFetching latest articlesThe untold story of the most lethal Sydney to Hobart race in 26 yearsTony Davis24 new watches to ring out the year (from $170 to $218k)‘YIMBY is a misnomer. They haven’t got backyards’Why BP Australia’s head tells execs to have their kids by 35Patrick DurkinAI talent war spreads to banking with $250k+ rolesWant to be better at public speaking? NIDA’s CEO shares her tipsThe best and worst cars we drove this yearTony DavisI visited the Lapland town where Santa livesAn arty Dior bag and a retro chronograph to freshen up your lookBillionaire Rinehart loses bid for helipad at pink-themed HQJesinta BurtonImmutable late accounts reveal $72m loss despite big revenue growthAirwallex shrugs off controversy with huge funding round