AI Search Optimization Pricing: How Much Should You Pay
Key Takeaways
- • Self-service tools: $99-500/month for most business needs
- • Managed services: $2,500-15,000/month depending on scope
- • Full-service agencies: $5,000-25,000/month for comprehensive management
- • Expected ROI: 5-15x within 6 months for well-executed programs
AI search optimization pricing varies significantly based on whether you choose self-service tools, managed services, or full-service agencies. This guide breaks down pricing across all options, helping you understand what to budget and what you get at each price point.
Pricing Overview #
| Service Type | Monthly Cost | What's Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY with free tools | $0 | Manual monitoring, self-guided optimization | Pre-revenue, learning |
| Self-service tools | $99-500 | Automated monitoring, recommendations | Small-mid businesses |
| Tool + coaching | $500-1,500 | Tools + strategic guidance | Hands-on but need guidance |
| Managed services | $2,500-7,000 | Done-for-you optimization | Limited internal resources |
| Full-service agency | $5,000-15,000 | Complete GEO program | Strategic priority, scale |
| Enterprise | $15,000+ | Multi-brand, global, executive support | Large organizations |
Tool Pricing Breakdown #
GEO-Lens Pricing
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $99/mo | 50 tracked queries, basic monitoring, weekly reports |
| Professional | $249/mo | 200 queries, competitor tracking, content scoring |
| Business | $499/mo | 500 queries, API access, team features |
| Enterprise | Custom | Unlimited queries, SSO, dedicated support |
Competitor Tool Pricing
| Tool | Starting Price | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|
| Ottimo | $149/mo | Content optimization focus |
| Profound | Free tier available | Brand monitoring emphasis |
| Peec.ai | $79/mo | Budget-friendly basic tracking |
Service Pricing Details #
Factors Affecting Service Pricing
- Scope: Number of pages, queries, competitors tracked
- Services included: Monitoring only vs. full optimization
- Content creation: Strategy only vs. done-for-you content
- Technical work: Recommendations vs. implementation
- Access level: Email support vs. dedicated manager
Service Tier Details
💼 Basic ($2,500-4,000/mo)
Monitoring, reporting, recommendations. You implement changes.
📈 Standard ($4,000-7,000/mo)
Full monitoring + content optimization. Some implementation.
🚀 Premium ($7,000-12,000/mo)
Complete program including content creation and technical work.
🏢 Enterprise ($12,000+/mo)
Multi-brand, executive reporting, integrated marketing support.
ROI Expectations by Price Point #
| Investment Level | Typical ROI | Break-Even | Best Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100-500/mo (tools) | 5-10x | Month 2-3 | Small businesses with execution capacity |
| $2,500-5,000/mo | 8-12x | Month 3-4 | Growing businesses, limited resources |
| $5,000-10,000/mo | 10-15x | Month 4-5 | Established businesses, strategic priority |
| $10,000+/mo | 8-20x | Month 4-6 | Enterprise, multi-brand needs |
Budget Recommendations #
By Company Size
| Company Size | Recommended Budget | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Startup (<$1M revenue) | $100-500/mo | Self-service tools, DIY execution |
| Small ($1-10M revenue) | $500-3,000/mo | Tools + selective services |
| Mid-market ($10-100M) | $3,000-10,000/mo | Managed services or agency |
| Enterprise ($100M+) | $10,000+/mo | Full-service agency or in-house team |
Frequently Asked Questions #
What's the minimum effective budget for AI search optimization?
$100/month for self-service tools provides meaningful monitoring and guidance. For services, $2,500/month is typically the minimum for quality providers. Below these thresholds, ROI becomes harder to achieve.
Why is there such a wide price range?
Pricing varies based on scope (how much is monitored), services included (monitoring vs. implementation), and access level (self-service vs. dedicated manager). Higher prices generally mean more comprehensive service, not necessarily better quality.
Should I start with tools or services?
Most businesses should start with tools to understand the channel and prove potential before investing in services. If you lack internal resources or need rapid results, services may be justified from the start.
How do I know if I'm paying too much?
Calculate cost per citation improvement or cost per AI-referred visitor. Compare to other marketing channels. If you're paying $5,000/month and seeing 50 new citations and 500 AI-referred visitors, that's $10/citation or $10/visitor—competitive with most channels.
Next Steps #
- 1Determine your budget range based on company size
- 2Start with GEO-Lens to understand baseline
- 3Evaluate need for services based on internal capacity
- 4Request proposals if considering services
Related Resources
- AI Search Services Complete Guide
- Tools vs Agencies Cost Comparison
- Small Business Budget Guide
- Platform Comparison
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.