5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring Any AI Search Optimization Agency

GEO and AEO are new enough that there's no shortage of agencies claiming expertise overnight, and DIY SEO tools that promise to "do AI search too" without really understanding what that means. Before signing with anyone — including us — these are the questions worth asking.

1. Can you show me the actual framework you use?

"We optimize for AI search" is not a methodology — it's a sentence. Ask any agency to walk you through their specific framework: what factors they evaluate, how they're weighted, and how that maps to the technical signals AI engines actually use (structured data, content freshness, semantic HTML, and so on).

2. Do you separate GEO, AEO, and SEO, or treat them as one thing?

If an agency can't clearly explain how generative engine optimization, answer engine optimization, and traditional SEO differ — and how their service addresses each — that's a sign their understanding of AI search may not run as deep as their pitch suggests.

3. What does your audit actually measure, and what do I get at the end of it?

Ask for a sample audit or a clear description of deliverables. A real diagnostic should produce a specific, prioritized roadmap — not just a generic checklist or a sales pitch dressed up as analysis.

4. How do you handle businesses with smaller budgets than enterprise clients?

A lot of AI search expertise has historically been priced for enterprise budgets, leaving mid-market and niche brands either priced out or stuck with watered-down service. Ask directly how the agency scales its approach — and its pricing — for a business your size.

5. Can you show real client results, not just theoretical capability?

Anyone can describe what GEO and AEO are supposed to do. Ask for specific, verifiable examples of improved AI citation visibility or search performance for past or current clients — and be cautious of agencies that can only speak in generalities about outcomes.

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**We'd encourage you to ask us these same five questions.** Our SearchBoost service is built on the GEO-16 Framework, with enterprise-level methodology made accessible for mid-market budgets. Book a free Search Visibility Audit to see exactly how it works.