Gemini not only takes information from text or writing, but also collects information from multi-modal content such as videos and images.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nThe 5 capabilities a genuinely AEO-capable agency has<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Most agencies now claim to have AEO experience, but very few can back it up with any tangible evidence. Let\u2019s take a closer look at these five key capabilities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A deep understanding of structured data<\/strong>. They should clearly name the FAQPage, Article, Organization, and Author schemas and explain how each works for a specific page\u2014not just talk about the schema in general or promise to “take care of it technically.”<\/p>\n\n\n\nEasily understandable content organized in a Q&A format<\/strong>. AI systems prefer content that starts with a direct question and provides an easy-to-read answer within the first few sentences; not list-based posts like “5 Tips for Better X,” which are written to keep human readers scrolling.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPrioritizing depth over breadth.<\/strong> Eight interconnected posts written in depth on a specific topic yield better results than thirty shallow posts on thirty different topics. Most agencies choose the latter method because it makes it easier to sell monthly “content volumes.”<\/p>\n\n\n\nSpecific and verifiable claims.<\/strong> Statements like “We deliver great results” are ignored by both readers and AI systems. “We implemented the FAQPage schema on 40 client pages last quarter, and received 12 citations in 90 days”\u2014things like these are remembered and cited.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEarned media and entity work.<\/strong> Nearly 82% of the links in AI-generated answers come from earned-media\u2014i.e. journalism and third-party coverage\u2014rather than the brand’s own content. Press-release citations increased fivefold in the second half of 2025 alone. Agencies that don’t have a plan for PR, guest coverage, or third-party mentions are missing out on one of their biggest sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe evaluation framework: 10 questions, with a scoring rubric<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Score each answer from 1 (evasive or wrong) to 5 (specific, detailed, and backed by an example). An agency averaging under 3 across these ten questions isn’t ready for AEO work, whatever the pitch deck claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n#<\/th> Question<\/th> Strong-answer signal<\/th> Red flag<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> 1<\/td> Can you show AI citations you’ve earned for past clients?<\/td> Real screenshots from ChatGPT, Perplexity, Copilot, or Google AI Overviews, tied to named clients<\/td> “We’re still building our portfolio,” or no examples at all<\/td><\/tr> 2<\/td> Walk me through the schema you’d add to my site.<\/td> Names specific types (FAQPage, Article, Organization) and where each would go<\/td> “We’ll handle the technical schema part” with no specifics<\/td><\/tr> 3<\/td> How do you measure AEO success?<\/td> Citation counts by engine, share of voice, grounding queries won<\/td> Only traditional rankings and impressions<\/td><\/tr> 4<\/td> What’s your realistic timeline to first citations?<\/td> 3 to 6 months, with the reasoning explained<\/td> Under 30 days, or a vague non-answer<\/td><\/tr> 5<\/td> Do you currently work with any of my direct competitors?<\/td> Clear disclosure, plus a stated policy on conflicts<\/td> Deflection, or “that’s not something we track”<\/td><\/tr> 6<\/td> Does your strategy include brand entity work for AI citations?<\/td> Describes building consistent mentions across editorial coverage, directories, and third-party sites<\/td> A blank stare, or confusing this with standard backlinks<\/td><\/tr> 7<\/td> How do you balance AEO formatting with Core Web Vitals?<\/td> Explains the trade-off and how they test for it<\/td> Doesn’t recognize a trade-off exists<\/td><\/tr> 8<\/td> What does monthly reporting actually look like?<\/td> AI citation counts, grounding queries won, a concrete list of what shipped<\/td> “Your traffic went up,” with no supporting detail<\/td><\/tr> 9<\/td> Who specifically does the work?<\/td> Names actual specialists, not just an account manager<\/td> A vague team, or “our whole team collaborates” with no names given<\/td><\/tr> 10<\/td> Can I speak to a current client?<\/td> Yes, readily, with contact details offered<\/td> Reluctance, or NDAs cited as a blanket excuse<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRed flags that should end the call<\/h2>\n\n\n\n A handful of answers are disqualifying on their own, regardless of how strong the rest of the pitch sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nProviding assurance on AI rankings or citations. No one can control such an uncertain system. Giving such assurances means that either the agency is lying, or they don’t know how these systems actually work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Claiming they will “add AI to your SEO.” AEO involves distinct processes and deliverables. Vague or exaggerated upselling language usually indicates that there is no factual basis behind the claim.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Lacking a citation portfolio. There is always a record or proof of actual AEO work. If they can’t show anything, you’re probably spending money on their ‘learning process’ or learning curve, not their experience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Claiming everything can be completed within 30 days. While schema can be made live quickly, the re-indexing process cannot be completed quickly through ‘topical authority’ and AI. The promise of quick completion often indicates that there is a compromise somewhere in the quality of the work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Inability to explain the FAQPage Schema structure. If they cannot explain fundamental components like mainEntity<\/code>, Question<\/code>, and Answer<\/code>, they aren’t actually implementing it\u2014they are merely claiming to do so.<\/li>\n\n\n\nFailing to audit or review your current Schema before making a pitch. Directly saying “we’ll add schema” without checking what’s already on the site indicates a lack of due diligence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Having no plan to refresh published content. For commercial and evaluation-stage queries, over 60% of AI citations come from pages that have been updated within the last six months. If content updates are not planned from the beginning, visibility tends to decrease within a few months of publication. <\/li>\n\n\n\n Reporting based solely on keyword positions. Without relevant information like traffic, citations, or revenue, it is not possible to understand whether the work is actually bringing any results by calculating rankings alone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three free tests to run before you sign anything<\/h3>\n\n\n\n None of this requires taking an agency’s word for it. Three checks, all free, take about 30 minutes combined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Verify the agency’s own website using Google’s ‘Rich Results Test.<\/strong>‘ If a company claims to be an AEO agency but lacks proper FAQ pages, informative articles, and ‘organization schema’ on its own site, it indicates they are not applying those very strategies to their own business.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAsk ChatGPT or Perplexity directly<\/strong>. Use a query such as: “What are the best SEO or AEO agencies for [your industry] in [your city or region]?” If the agency’s name does not appear in the results, ask them about it during your conversation. Their response will reveal whether they acknowledge this gap or are simply sidestepping the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPay for a small job before committing to a full contract.<\/strong> An initial test can be done with an FAQ-style blog post with the appropriate schema\u2014which typically costs between $500 and $1,500. Once the work is complete, verify it yourself using the ‘Rich Results Test.’ If the results are accurate and the writing is of high quality, it may be safe to go for a big deal. If they fail, you will have spent only a few hundred dollars rather than thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SEO-only, AEO specialist, or integrated partner \u2014 which one fits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The right decision depends on the current state of your site\u2014not on which term sounds more modern or traditional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your site has technical issues, low authority, or indexing problems, prioritize SEO first. AEO cannot be sustained in the long run on a weak foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your SEO system is already robust and your primary goal is to boost AI visibility for high-intent, targeted queries within your category, then opt for an AEO specialist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you prefer a unified strategy and reporting structure\u2014and want to avoid the hassle of coordinating with multiple vendors offering conflicting advice for the same site\u2014choose an integrated partner or service provider. However, the agency you select must demonstrate deep expertise in both areas; simply listing the service in their portfolio is not enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to know it’s actually working<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Traditional SEO metrics are still important, but they alone cannot capture most of the changes that are happening. If an agency only reports on rankings and impressions for 2026, they are only doing half the job. In addition to rankings and organic traffic, track these four things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nCitation Frequency \u2014 How often your content is included in AI-generated answers<\/li>\n\n\n\n Competitive Citation Share \u2014 How often you are cited for the same question compared to your competitors<\/li>\n\n\n\n Question Coverage \u2014 Which buyer questions you are leading on, and which ones you still lack visibility on<\/li>\n\n\n\n Assisted Conversions \u2014 Visits and signups that occur after being mentioned on an AI-platform, even if no direct clicks are tracked from that platform.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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