How to Choose an AEO Agency: 12 Questions to Ask

Short answer: The right AEO (answer engine optimization) agency will show you exactly what it measures, what it will deliver, how it reports results and what it can't promise. Before you hire one, ask about the AI engines and questions it tracks, how it handles missing data, its technical and content process, who owns the work, the timeline, the cost and its references. An agency that guarantees you'll be named in ChatGPT is a red flag, because nobody controls AI answers.

Why choosing an AEO agency is harder than choosing an SEO agency

AEO is newer than SEO, and the industry hasn't settled on standard metrics. Some providers use "AEO," some "GEO," some "AI SEO," and a few simply relabel old SEO packages. If you want a quick primer on the GEO side, read our post on choosing a GEO agency. The questions below help you compare providers on substance.

Measurement questions

1. Which AI engines will you track?

Look for named engines, such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Copilot and Google's AI Overviews, not "all the major AIs."

2. Which questions will you track for us, and can I see the list?

The questions should reflect how your customers ask, including local versions if you serve a defined area. You should be able to see and approve them.

3. How often do you check, and do you keep the wording fixed?

Comparing results over time only works if the same questions are asked the same way on a regular schedule.

4. How do you handle missing or failed data?

Monitoring tools sometimes fail to collect results from an engine. A careful agency reports those gaps as missing data, not as a drop to zero, and excludes them from conclusions.

Delivery questions

5. What will you deliver in the first 90 days?

Expect a written list: baseline report, technical fixes, business-listing cleanup, specific pages to create or improve, and outreach targets.

6. How do you check technical access?

The agency should review robots.txt and crawler access, indexing, page experience and structured data. Google's guidance for its AI experiences emphasizes crawlable, indexable pages, good page experience and structured data that matches visible content (Google Search Central Blog, May 2025). OpenAI and Perplexity each document the crawlers their search features use (OpenAI, "Overview of OpenAI Crawlers"; Perplexity, "Perplexity Crawlers").

7. How do you approach content?

Ask for an example of a page they'd write or rewrite. Look for direct answers, real specifics and credible sources, not keyword-stuffed filler. Google's guidance on helpful, people-first content is a fair benchmark (Google Search Central).

8. How do you earn third-party mentions?

Good answers involve accurate directory listings, genuine reviews, relevant media and partnerships. Bad answers involve buying reviews or links. The FTC's 2024 rule bans fake and sentiment-conditioned reviews (FTC).

Business questions

9. Who owns the content, accounts and data?

You should. Ask for this in writing.

10. What does it cost, and what's included?

Compare scope, not just price. Our AEO cost page explains typical cost drivers.

11. What's the contract length, and how do I exit?

Look for clear terms and a reasonable notice period.

12. Can I see examples or talk to clients?

Ask for case studies or references in a similar industry, and ask what those clients' reports actually showed.

Red flags

• "Guaranteed #1 in ChatGPT" or any guaranteed AI placement.
• A single score with no explanation of how it's calculated.
• No access to the actual AI answers behind the report.
• Missing data reported as zero, or outages reported as wins.
• Advice to buy reviews or mass-produce thin pages.
• No defined deliverables.

Green flags

• A clear baseline with the real questions and answers.
• Plain-language explanations of what's holding you back.
• A short, prioritized plan instead of a giant content quota.
• Honest reporting that separates real changes from noise.
• Willingness to say what's outside anyone's control.

Agency or consultant?

Some businesses need a full-service agency; others need an AI search optimization consultant to guide their own team. The questions above apply to both. Smaller service businesses may also want to read AEO services for small businesses.

How Visionary AI Partners answers these questions

We welcome all 12. Our AEO services start with a measured baseline across named engines and an agreed list of questions. We report missing data separately and give you a written, prioritized plan. To see where you stand before talking to anyone, request a Free AI Visibility Score.

Frequently asked questions

How long before I should expect results from an AEO agency?

It depends on your starting point and competition. A good agency will give you a realistic timeline and explain what drives it.

Should an AEO agency also do SEO?

AEO builds on SEO fundamentals. Many agencies handle both, or coordinate with your SEO provider.

Is a low price a bad sign?

Not necessarily. Compare what's included. A low price with no defined deliverables is the problem.

What should I see in a monthly report?

The tracked questions and engines, mentions and citations, competitor comparisons, actions taken and any missing data.

Sources & References

1. Google Search Central Blog, "Top ways to ensure your content performs well in Google's AI experiences on Search" (May 21, 2025): https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2025/05/succeeding-in-ai-search
2. OpenAI, "Overview of OpenAI Crawlers": https://platform.openai.com/docs/bots
3. Perplexity, "Perplexity Crawlers": https://docs.perplexity.ai/guides/bots
4. Google Search Central, "Creating helpful, reliable, people-first content": https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/creating-helpful-content
5. Federal Trade Commission, final rule banning fake reviews and testimonials (Aug. 14, 2024): https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/08/federal-trade-commission-announces-final-rule-banning-fake-reviews-testimonials