AI SEO agency fees run $2K to $12K/month: what you’re actually buying
You’ve probably seen the pitches. AI SEO, GEO (generative engine optimization), AEO (answer engine optimization) — the names keep multiplying, and so do the invoices. If you’re trying to figure out whether any of it is worth paying for, here is the actual price range you’re dealing with.
What Agencies Charge
Most agencies selling AI SEO services quote retainers between $2,000 and $12,000 per month. That’s the standard range for ongoing work from established shops.
Smaller agencies and productized plans sit lower, starting at around $500 a month. If you’re an early-stage operator or just want to test the category before committing to a large retainer, this is the entry point.
One-Off Audits
Not ready for a retainer? One-off AI SEO audits run $500 to $5,000 depending on scope. An audit gives you a point-in-time snapshot of how visible your content is in AI-generated search results, without locking you into monthly fees.
This is probably the right first move for most solopreneurs: buy the audit, see where you stand, then decide if ongoing work is justified by the gap.
DIY Tracking Tools
If you’d rather monitor your own AI visibility without paying an agency, tools exist that start at $29 a month. The upper end of that tool pricing wasn’t disclosed in the source.
The Operator Take
The terminology fragmentation (AI SEO vs. GEO vs. AEO) is partly a pricing strategy. Different labels let vendors charge for essentially the same service under different frames. Before you sign anything, ask exactly which AI platforms they’re optimizing for, how they measure visibility, and what a baseline looks like before the engagement starts.
The audit route at $500 to $5,000 gives you the information to have that conversation from a position of knowledge rather than guesswork.
I’m founder of BizStack at Cagri Sarigoz LLC and a passionate advocate for entrepreneurs.
With over 14 years in tech, marketing, and AI, including my role as Head of SEO at CitizenShipper and co-founder of TaleBot at Intale AI, I’m dedicated to sharing genuine, useful product insights and tips.
At BizStack, I aim to cut through the digital noise to provide clear, actionable advice.
And more than all else, I’m a father to a (always) little girl and a husband.
Contact me at [email protected] for assistance.
