Top GEO and AEO Agencies: Industry Leaders Compared

Understanding GEO and AEO in the AI Era

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) represent a fundamental shift in how businesses approach search visibility in the AI era. While traditional SEO focuses on ranking in Google’s blue links, GEO targets visibility in generative AI responses from platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity, while AEO optimizes for answer-focused results across all search engines. The distinction matters because 60% of Google searches now end without clicks, with users increasingly turning to AI tools as their primary research source. B2B buyers in particular have shifted their initial research phase to AI platforms, making visibility in these systems critical for lead generation. The rise of these optimization disciplines reflects a broader market reality: AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity are becoming the new search engines, and businesses that ignore this trend risk losing visibility to competitors who don’t. Understanding the difference between GEO and AEO is essential because they require different strategies, different platforms, and often different agency expertise to execute effectively.

The GEO Agency Landscape

The GEO agency landscape has rapidly diversified to meet this new demand, with agencies falling into several distinct categories based on their service model and specialization. The market now includes:

• Full-service agencies offering comprehensive GEO strategies alongside traditional SEO, content marketing, and paid search
• Specialized GEO-only agencies focused exclusively on generative engine optimization with proprietary methodologies
• Pricing models ranging from $3k-$5k/month for smaller agencies and startups, $5k-$15k/month for mid-market services, and $15k-$40k+/month for enterprise-level, full-service solutions
• Geographic focus options including global strategies, regional specialization, or specific market expertise
• Industry specialization ranging from B2B SaaS and technology to e-commerce, healthcare, and financial services

This fragmentation means that selecting the right agency requires understanding not just what they offer, but how their specific model aligns with your business needs, budget constraints, and industry dynamics. Some agencies excel at rapid implementation and quick wins, while others focus on long-term strategic positioning within AI ecosystems.

Top GEO Agencies Comparison

This comparison reveals that agency selection isn’t simply about price—it’s about matching specialization, methodology, and proven results to your specific business model and growth objectives.

Specialized GEO Agencies and Unique Approaches

Specialized GEO agencies have emerged as powerful alternatives for businesses with specific needs or industry requirements. Rock The Rankings has carved out a dominant position in the B2B SaaS space by focusing exclusively on this vertical, allowing them to develop deep expertise in the unique challenges SaaS companies face when optimizing for AI visibility. GenerateMore.AI brings a distinctly European perspective with proprietary AI-first methodologies that have delivered 8x brand awareness growth for clients, operating at a more accessible price point than many US-based competitors. Growth Plays differentiates itself through pipeline attribution, connecting GEO efforts directly to sales outcomes rather than vanity metrics—a critical distinction for revenue-focused organizations. These boutique and specialized agencies typically require shorter commitment terms than enterprise-focused competitors, making them attractive for mid-market companies testing GEO strategies. The trade-off is that specialized agencies may lack the full-service capabilities of larger firms, though many compensate by building strong partner networks for complementary services like paid search or content production.

AEO-Focused Agencies and Multi-Platform Strategies

AEO-focused agencies take a different approach by optimizing across multiple answer-focused platforms simultaneously, recognizing that no single AI tool dominates the market. NoGood operates as a full-stack AEO agency with a proprietary platform called Goodie, serving enterprise clients like Intuit, Nike, and Chime with comprehensive answer engine strategies. iPullRank brings deep technical expertise in relevance engineering, helping enterprise clients like DocSend and American Express understand how their content performs across different AI systems and search contexts. Omniscient Digital emphasizes revenue attribution over vanity metrics, working with major platforms like SAP, TikTok, Asana, and Adobe to connect AEO efforts directly to business outcomes. Growth Plays combines AEO with pipeline attribution, allowing B2B companies to see exactly how AI visibility impacts their sales funnel. Ignite Visibility takes a full-funnel approach, integrating AEO with paid search, traditional SEO, and conversion optimization to create cohesive visibility strategies. The key distinction with AEO agencies is their focus on multiple platforms simultaneously—they understand that optimizing for ChatGPT alone is insufficient when Claude, Perplexity, and other AI tools are capturing significant search traffic.

Critical Selection Criteria for GEO and AEO Agencies

When evaluating GEO and AEO agencies, use these eight critical selection criteria to make an informed decision:

1. Proven AI search results and case studies - Request specific examples of how the agency has improved visibility in ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and other platforms, with measurable metrics and timeline documentation
2. Industry specialization - Verify that the agency has deep experience in your specific vertical, not just general GEO/AEO knowledge
3. Team structure and expertise - Understand who will be working on your account, their background in AI optimization, and whether leadership remains involved in strategy
4. Measurement frameworks - Confirm the agency has a clear methodology for tracking visibility, attribution, and business impact across AI platforms
5. Methodology transparency - Ensure the agency can explain their approach in detail, including how they identify optimization opportunities and implement changes
6. Timeline expectations - Understand realistic timelines for visibility improvements; agencies promising overnight results are likely overselling
7. SEO integration - Confirm how the agency balances GEO/AEO with traditional SEO, ensuring you’re not abandoning proven channels
8. Budget alignment - Match pricing to your business size and growth stage; premium agencies aren’t always better for smaller companies, and budget agencies may lack enterprise capabilities

These criteria help you move beyond surface-level comparisons and evaluate agencies based on their actual ability to deliver results in your specific context.

Monitoring Your AI Visibility with AmICited

AmICited.com serves as a critical complement to agency work by providing real-time monitoring and measurement of your visibility across AI platforms. While agencies focus on optimization strategy and implementation, AmICited tracks how your content actually performs in ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and other generative engines—giving you independent verification of agency claims and early warning signs of strategy adjustments needed. The platform enables competitive benchmarking, allowing you to see not just your own visibility but how you compare to direct competitors across multiple AI systems. This data-driven approach transforms GEO and AEO from speculative investments into measurable business initiatives with clear ROI tracking. Rather than waiting for monthly agency reports, AmICited provides continuous visibility into what’s working and what needs adjustment, enabling faster iteration and optimization. For organizations working with multiple agencies or managing in-house GEO/AEO efforts, AmICited becomes the single source of truth for AI search performance—essential infrastructure for making informed decisions about strategy, budget allocation, and agency performance.

Common Mistakes When Hiring GEO and AEO Agencies

Common mistakes when hiring GEO and AEO agencies can derail even well-intentioned optimization efforts and waste significant budget. Choosing based on price alone is perhaps the most costly error; the cheapest agency rarely delivers enterprise-level results, and mid-market companies often find that investing in specialized expertise pays dividends through faster results and better attribution. Not verifying AI-specific experience is equally dangerous—many traditional SEO agencies claim GEO expertise without having actually optimized for generative engines; request specific case studies and ask detailed questions about their methodology. Ignoring industry specialization means missing out on agencies that understand your unique challenges; a B2B SaaS company hiring a general e-commerce agency will likely receive generic strategies rather than vertical-specific expertise. Lack of clear KPIs creates accountability gaps; ensure your contract specifies exactly what success looks like, how it will be measured, and what happens if targets aren’t met. Expecting overnight results sets unrealistic expectations; meaningful visibility in AI platforms typically requires 60-90 days of optimization work, and sustainable growth takes longer. Not balancing GEO with traditional SEO is a strategic error that leaves money on the table; the most effective agencies integrate AI optimization with proven SEO tactics rather than treating them as competing priorities.