A practical guide to hiring an AI SEO agency

The way we look for information online has completely changed. For a long time, we clicked through a list of blue links. Now, we often get answers directly from tools like Google's AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity. They don’t just show you a source; they give you the answer on the spot.

This shift means that old-school SEO, while still useful, isn't enough anymore. If your brand isn't being cited as a source in these AI-generated answers, you're basically invisible to a growing chunk of your audience. The goal has changed from just ranking on a page to becoming part of the conversation itself.

The answer is a new approach focused on AI visibility, often handled by a specialized AI SEO agency. These firms work to get your content recognized and used by the AI models that drive modern search. But they aren't your only choice. In-house platforms like the eesel AI blog writer are also letting teams create their own AI-optimized content, giving them more control and speed.

What is an AI SEO agency?

An AI SEO agency is a company that helps a brand get seen in AI-powered search results and chatbots. Their main job isn't just to land you on the first page of Google, but to get your business cited, referenced, or recommended in the answers that AI provides.

If you’re talking about AI SEO in the sense of ranking on LLMs like ChatGPT or Perplexity, it’s starting to matter a lot. The goal isn’t traditional keyword ranking but becoming the kind of source these models trust and quote. That comes from publishing factual, well-cited, structured content that answers user questions clearly and consistently.

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You'll probably hear a few different names for this, but they all mean the same thing. Researchers started using the term GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) in late 2023 to describe optimizing for these new AI systems. You might also see it called AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), which is about getting featured in direct answers, or LLMO (Large Language Model Optimization), which focuses on making your content easy for models like GPT-4 to understand.

It's important to know this isn't a replacement for traditional SEO. It's more of an evolution that builds on it. AI SEO puts a huge emphasis on the signals that AI models care about most, like E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness), making sure your content is not just easy to find, but also credible enough for an AI to use as a source.

How an AI SEO agency differs from traditional SEO

While SEO basics like a well-built website and good content are still important, the strategy has changed. AI tries to understand context and trustworthiness, not just match keywords.

AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is important. That said, much of what works for AEO is the same as what works for white hat SEO: Good content with good structure, owning all of your digital assets, E-E-A-T, and so on. If you are already paying for good SEO (or doing it in house), AEO should not be much of a stretch.

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Search queries are also different now. People are asking AI more complex, conversational questions. In fact, AI search queries average around 23 words, compared to the typical 4-word standard on Google. This means you need content that directly answers these detailed questions.

Here’s a simple breakdown of how things have shifted:

Basically, the goal has moved from getting a click to becoming a trusted source of information that AI models depend on. This requires a bigger focus on creating structured, factually accurate, and genuinely helpful content that proves you know your stuff.

Core services of an AI SEO agency

When you're looking for a partner, it helps to know what to look for. A good AI SEO agency will offer services designed for this new environment. Here are the main things you should expect.

AI visibility and entity audits

This is always the first step. The agency will check where your brand currently stands on key AI platforms like Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. They figure out how these AI models "see" your brand and its authority on certain topics. This audit shows you where you're strong, where you're weak, and where the opportunities are. It answers the question: does AI even know who you are and what you're an expert in?

Content structuring for RAG systems

Most AI systems today use something called Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to find and use information. Simply put, they search a database of trusted content to add factual, current info to their answers. An AI SEO agency will rework your content so it's easy for these systems to read. This means improving its structure, adding clear schema markup, and making sure the language is precise so the AI can understand, trust, and cite your information correctly.

Strategic content creation

Besides tweaking what you already have, an agency will create new content specifically designed to show up in generative answers. This isn't just writing blog posts. It involves building out topic clusters that cover a subject from all sides, creating data-heavy articles, and producing formats (like detailed how-to guides and FAQs) that make your brand the go-to source. Every piece is optimized for E-E-A-T signals to build the trust AI models need.

Performance reporting and analytics

The way you measure success in AI SEO is different. Instead of just tracking keyword rankings and organic traffic, a good agency will report on how often you're cited, your "share of voice" across different AI platforms, and the context of your brand mentions. Are you seen as a market leader, a budget-friendly choice, or an innovator? This kind of reporting gives you a clear idea of your visibility in the new world of AI search.

Choosing an AI SEO agency vs. using the eesel AI blog writer

Once you decide to get into AI SEO, you have two main options: hire an agency or give your in-house team the right tools. Neither one is automatically better; it's a decision based on your company's goals, resources, and how much control you want.

When to hire an AI SEO agency

Working with an AI SEO agency is often the best choice for businesses that need a complete, managed strategy. If you're looking for deep competitive analysis, a strong focus on building authority through digital PR, or just don't have the time internally, an agency can be a great partner. They bring specialized knowledge and a dedicated team.

Honestly the agency vs full-time hire decision comes down to your runway and how much you can afford to experiment. Most early stage founders I know go agency first for 3-6 months to build the foundation, then bring someone internal once they see what's actually working and have more predictable revenue coming in.

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Here are a few well-known agencies in this area to give you an idea of the cost:

• Xponent21: This agency focuses on generative AI optimization and is a solid choice for businesses ready to make a serious investment. They have a minimum project size of $10,000+.
• WebFX: A more flexible option, WebFX offers a range of digital marketing services, including AI and GEO. Their specific GEO service plans start at $3,000 per month.
• Siege Media: As an AI-focused organic growth agency, Siege Media creates high-quality content and builds authority through digital PR. Their content marketing campaigns for medium-sized businesses usually run from $10,000 to $20,000 a month.

When to use an AI content generation platform

The other option is to equip your in-house team with a specialized AI tool. This is a great fit for teams that want to move fast, produce a lot of content, and keep direct control over their brand's voice. It's also a much cheaper way to get similar results, especially for content creation.

For this, the eesel AI blog writer is a solution built for creating high-quality, optimized content at scale. It's designed to give in-house teams the power of an agency-level content machine.

Its key features include:

• From keyword to complete post: Unlike other AI writers that give you a rough draft, it produces a publish-ready blog post with a logical structure, proper headings, and all the necessary SEO and AEO optimizations included.
• Automatic assets: It saves your team hours by automatically including AI-generated images, infographics, and data tables directly in the content.
• Built-in social proof: To build credibility and show the E-E-A-T signals that AI models like, it automatically finds and embeds relevant YouTube videos and real quotes from Reddit discussions.
• Proven results: This is the same tool we use at eesel AI. By publishing over 1,000 posts, we grew our own blog from 700 to 750,000 daily impressions in just 3 months.
• Affordable pricing: At just $99 for 50 posts, it's an accessible way to scale your content output without a huge budget.

For a deeper look into how you can automate your content strategy, whether with an agency or a tool, check out this video on building an automated system with AI agents.

This video explains how to automate the content workflow of an AI SEO agency using no-code AI agents.

Final thoughts on hiring an AI SEO agency

The search world has changed for good, and adapting your strategy for AI is no longer a choice. Whether you're a small startup or a big company, getting your brand cited in AI-generated answers is essential for future growth.

As we've covered, you have two main paths. You can partner with a specialized AI SEO agency for full-service management, which is a great option if you need deep expertise and have the budget. Or, you can give your internal team an advanced content platform like the eesel AI blog writer to scale your efforts quickly and affordably.

The right choice depends on your company's needs, budget, and long-term goals. For many, starting with a powerful in-house tool is the most direct way to start mastering this new field.

Before you hire an AI SEO agency

Before you commit to a big agency contract, see what your team can do with the right tool. Start generating complete, SEO-optimized blog posts with the eesel AI blog writer and check out the quality for yourself. It's completely free to try.