Agencies Who Specialize in AI Search Optimization
Agencies specializing in AI search optimization (GEO) are a growing category, with most being traditional SEO agencies adding AI services. True specialists are rare—look for agencies that specifically mention “AI citations,” “ChatGPT optimization,” or “Perplexity rankings” in their service offerings, not just “AI-powered SEO tools.” Pricing ranges from $2,000-15,000/month depending on scope, with most engagements requiring 6+ month commitments to show results.
What to Know About AI SEO Agencies
- • Most “AI SEO” agencies use AI tools—few specialize in AI search optimization
- • Look for agencies that track AI citations, not just rankings
- • Typical pricing: $2,000-15,000/month for AI optimization services
- • Minimum commitment: 6 months to see meaningful results
- • Many tasks can be done in-house with the right tools
Types of Agencies Offering AI Optimization #
| Agency Type | Focus | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEO Specialists | AI citation optimization | $5,000-15,000/mo | AI-first strategy |
| SEO + GEO Hybrid | Traditional SEO + AI | $3,000-10,000/mo | Balanced approach |
| Content Agencies | AI-optimized content | $2,000-8,000/mo | Content production |
| Enterprise SEO | Full-service with AI add-on | $10,000-50,000/mo | Large-scale optimization |
How to Evaluate AI Optimization Agencies #
Questions to Ask Every Agency #
- 1“How do you track AI citations?” — They should name specific tools and metrics
- 2“Which AI platforms do you optimize for?” — Should include ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini at minimum
- 3“Can you show case studies with AI citation results?” — Not just rankings, actual AI citations
- 4“What's your methodology?” — Should mention CORE, EEAT, or similar frameworks
- 5“How long before we see results?” — Honest answer is 3-6 months
Red Flags to Watch For #
- “Guaranteed AI rankings” — No one can guarantee AI citations
- No AI-specific tracking — If they can't track citations, they can't prove results
- Focus only on “AI-powered tools” — Using AI tools ≠ optimizing for AI search
- Promises of quick results — AI optimization takes 60-90+ days minimum
- No case studies with AI metrics — Theory without proof
When to Hire an Agency vs. Do It In-House #
Hire an Agency If...
- No in-house SEO/content expertise
- Need to move fast at scale
- Budget of $3,000+/month
- Complex technical requirements
Do In-House If...
- Have content team capacity
- Budget under $3,000/month
- Willing to learn the methodology
- Can commit to consistent execution
For in-house execution, start with AI optimization tools like GEO-Lens that provide the same analysis agencies use. Many businesses find they can handle AI optimization themselves once they understand the framework.
Agency Pricing Guide #
| Service Level | Monthly Price | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $2,000-4,000 | Audit + recommendations + monthly reporting |
| Standard | $5,000-8,000 | Above + content optimization + citation tracking |
| Premium | $8,000-15,000 | Above + content creation + technical implementation |
| Enterprise | $15,000+ | Full-service + dedicated team + custom integrations |
Limitations of Agency Services #
- Market maturity: AI search optimization is new—few agencies have deep expertise
- Results take time: Even the best agency can't speed up AI indexing cycles
- Dependency risk: Building internal capability is often better long-term
- Limited guarantees: AI engines make their own decisions about citations
Frequently Asked Questions #
How do I find agencies that actually specialize in AI optimization? #
Search for agencies that specifically mention “GEO,” “AI citations,” “ChatGPT optimization,” or “Perplexity SEO”—not just “AI-powered SEO.” Ask for case studies showing citation improvements, not just ranking changes.
What's a reasonable budget for AI optimization agency services? #
$5,000-8,000/month for standard service with content optimization and citation tracking. Less than $3,000/month usually means you're getting audits without implementation support. More than $15,000/month is enterprise-level.
How long should I commit to an agency? #
Minimum 6 months. AI optimization results take 60-90 days to appear, so 3-month contracts don't give agencies enough time to prove value. Avoid agencies requiring 12+ month commitments upfront.
Conclusion #
True AI search optimization specialists are rare—most agencies offering “AI SEO” are using AI tools rather than optimizing for AI search engines. Evaluate agencies by their ability to track AI citations, their methodology framework, and their case studies with AI-specific metrics.
Before committing to agency fees ($2,000-15,000/month), consider whether you can execute AI optimization in-house with tools like GEO-Lens. Agencies make sense for scale and speed, but many businesses can handle this internally once they understand the framework.
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Product Manager at Seenos.ai. Pioneer in AEO research since 2024, exploring the convergence of SEO and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). Led multiple AI-powered content optimization projects that achieved 300%+ citation increases in ChatGPT and Perplexity.