Find Agencies That Understand AI Search—Not the Ones Still Doing 2015 SEO
ChatGPT has 200M+ users. Perplexity is growing 40% month-over-month. Google AI Overviews answer queries without clicks. Traditional SEO is dying. You need an agency that understands Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).
The Search Landscape Has Changed. Most Agencies Haven't.
The Old Model (Dying)
- ✗ Rank in Google's blue links
- ✗ Get clicks to your website
- ✗ Convert traffic on-site
- ✗ Focus on keywords and backlinks
The New Model (GEO)
- ✓ Get cited by ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude
- ✓ Win AI Overviews and featured snippets
- ✓ Build brand recognition in zero-click world
- ✓ Focus on entities, authority, and LLM visibility
of Google searches end without a click
ChatGPT users replacing Google searches
Perplexity MoM growth rate
What is GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)?
GEO (also called AIO or LLMO) is the emerging discipline of optimizing your brand and content to be cited by AI-powered search engines and large language models.
Where GEO Matters
- ChatGPT search and recommendations
- Perplexity AI answers
- Claude responses
- Google AI Overviews (SGE)
- Bing Copilot
- Apple Intelligence (Siri)
What GEO Agencies Do
- Entity optimization (make your brand "known")
- LLM visibility auditing and tracking
- Content optimization for AI citation
- Brand authority building
- Structured data for knowledge graphs
- AI search result monitoring
The Problem: 95% of "SEO Agencies" Don't Know GEO
Ask your current SEO agency how to appear in ChatGPT results. If they can't give you a specific answer beyond "create good content," they're not GEO-ready. Most agencies are still optimizing for a search landscape that's disappearing.
Find an Agency That Actually Understands AI Search
We've vetted 42 agencies and scored them on GEO capabilities. Get matched with the ones that can actually help you win in AI-powered search.
We charge you, not the agencies. No hidden referral fees. No pay-to-play rankings.
one-time
- 3-5 GEO-capable agencies matched to your needs
- LLM visibility score for each agency
- Why each agency fits your industry/goals
- Questions to ask about GEO capabilities
- Delivered in 3-5 business days
one-time
- Everything in Shortlist, plus:
- Your brand's LLM audit (where you appear/don't)
- 30-min GEO strategy call with our team
- We review agency proposals for GEO readiness
- Red flags: agencies faking GEO expertise
Why Trust Us?
How We Vet Agencies for GEO Readiness
Most SEO agencies claim they "do AI optimization" but can't explain what that means. We test them ourselves:
LLM Visibility Test
We ask ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude: "What are the best [industry] SEO agencies?" Do they appear? How are they described? If an agency can't get themselves cited by LLMs, they can't help you.
Content Audit for GEO Topics
Does their blog discuss entity optimization, AI search, brand authority, or LLM visibility? Or are they still writing about "keyword research tips" and "backlink strategies"?
Methodology Deep Dive
Can they explain their GEO process specifically? What tools do they use for LLM monitoring? How do they track AI search visibility? Vague answers = red flag.
Client Case Studies
Have they actually improved a client's AI search visibility? Can they show before/after LLM citations? Traffic is a 2015 metric—we want AI visibility proof.
The Hard Truth About "GEO Experts"
Out of 42 agencies we've reviewed, only 18 demonstrated real GEO capabilities. The rest are relabeling traditional SEO as "AI optimization" without changing their actual work.
Find the Real GEO AgenciesQuestions to Ask Any "GEO Agency"
Use these questions to separate real GEO experts from agencies that just rebranded their SEO services:
"How do you track our brand's visibility in ChatGPT and Perplexity?"
Good answer: Specific tools (Profound, Peec.ai, manual prompt testing). Bad answer: "We track rankings and traffic."
"Can you show me a client whose LLM citations increased?"
Good answer: Before/after examples of ChatGPT mentioning their client. Bad answer: "We increased their traffic by 200%."
"What's the difference between SEO and GEO in your deliverables?"
Good answer: Entity optimization, structured data for knowledge graphs, LLM-friendly content formatting. Bad answer: "It's basically the same with some AI tweaks."
"Do you appear in AI search results for your own industry?"
Good answer: "Yes, here's what ChatGPT says about us." Bad answer: "We focus on client work, not our own marketing."
Pro Tip: Test Them Yourself
Before any discovery call, ask ChatGPT: "What are the best SEO agencies for [your industry]?" and "Tell me about [agency name]." If they don't appear—or appear negatively—that tells you something.
GEO Agency FAQ
What is GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)?
GEO is the practice of optimizing your brand and content to appear in AI-powered search engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Google AI Overviews. Unlike traditional SEO which focuses on ranking in blue links, GEO focuses on being cited by large language models.
What's the difference between GEO and AIO?
They're the same thing. GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), AIO (AI Optimization), and LLMO (Large Language Model Optimization) are all terms for optimizing content to be cited by AI assistants and generative search engines.
Do I still need traditional SEO?
For now, yes—but the balance is shifting. In 2026, we recommend allocating 30-50% of your search budget to GEO, with the rest on traditional SEO. By 2027-2028, that ratio will likely flip. The best agencies do both.
How much does a GEO agency cost?
GEO-specialized agencies typically charge a premium over traditional SEO: $5,000-15,000/month for mid-market companies, $15,000-50,000+/month for enterprise. The premium is justified because fewer agencies have genuine GEO expertise.
How do you vet agencies for GEO capability?
We test agencies in ChatGPT and Perplexity ourselves. We audit their content for GEO topics. We ask about their methodology and tools. We review client case studies for LLM visibility improvements—not just traffic metrics. Only 18 of 42 agencies we've reviewed passed.
AI Search is Here. Is Your Brand Visible?
Get matched with agencies that actually understand GEO—not the ones rebranding old SEO as "AI optimization."