How to choose a GEO agency
A GEO agency is a firm that offers generative engine optimization services: work aimed at mentions and citations in AI-generated answers. There is no certification or official standard for these services, so evaluate any provider against first-party guidance: Google’s own hiring advice asks whether an SEO’s AI advice “is aligned with Google Search’s official guidance on optimizing for generative AI features.” This page is a neutral checklist; it names and recommends no agency.
What does the service usually include?
Disclosure: Search Visibility Wiki does not recommend, rank or accept payment from any agency, and no agency is named on this page. See the editorial policy.
Google lists services SEOs commonly provide, including site reviews, technical advice, content development, keyword research and “optimizing for generative AI.”[1] For AI answer engines, documented work areas are crawler access ([2][3]), indexing and snippet eligibility,[4] content structure,[5] and measurement through Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.[6][7]
What questions should you ask before hiring?
- Can you show previous work and references? Google recommends checking business references.[1]
- Does your advice cite official documentation? Google suggests asking this, and whether AEO/GEO advice aligns with its guidance.[1]
- How will you measure results? Expect named metrics: AI Overview impressions,[6] Copilot citations,[7] and a fixed prompt set for citation tracking.
- Will you share every change you make to the site?[1]
- What access do you need? Google advises granting only read access to Search Console during an audit.[1]
What are the red flags?
- Guaranteed rankings or guaranteed AI citations. Google: “No one can guarantee a #1 ranking on Google.”[1] No AI engine sells organic inclusion; OpenAI and Perplexity both say ads do not influence answers.[8][9]
- Claims of a “special relationship” with Google or a tool that is “approved” by Google.[1]
- Mass page generation or link schemes, which Google’s spam policies cover, including attempts “to manipulate generative AI responses.”[10]
- Selling llms.txt or special schema as required for AI Overviews; Google says neither is needed.[4]
Can you do it in-house instead?
Often, yes. Google says a small local business “can probably do much of the work yourself,” starting with its SEO starter guide.[1] See the AI search optimization guide and the tools overview.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a GEO agency cost?
We did not find a verifiable, representative pricing survey, so we do not quote a range. Ask for scope, deliverables and metrics in writing.
Can an agency guarantee AI citations?
No. No AI engine offers paid organic inclusion, and Google warns against anyone guaranteeing rankings.
Does this wiki recommend agencies?
No. The wiki names no agencies and accepts no payment for placement.
See also
References
Sources accessed October 14, 2026 unless another date is given. See all sources.
- “Do you need an SEO?”. Google Search Central. accessed October 14, 2026.
- “Overview of OpenAI Crawlers”. OpenAI. accessed October 14, 2026.
- “Does Anthropic crawl data from the web, and how can site owners block the crawler?”. Anthropic (Claude Help Center). updated April 7, 2026.
- “AI features and your website”. Google Search Central. accessed October 14, 2026.
- “Optimizing your website for generative AI features on Google Search”. Google Search Central. accessed October 14, 2026.
- “Generative AI performance report (Search)”. Search Console Help. rolled out to all sites as of August 31, 2026; accessed October 14, 2026.
- “AI Performance”. Bing Webmaster Tools Help. accessed October 14, 2026.
- “Testing ads in ChatGPT”. OpenAI. February 2026.
- “Why we’re experimenting with advertising”. Perplexity. November 2024.
- “Spam policies for Google web search”. Google Search Central. accessed October 14, 2026.