Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) has become essential as AI platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews reshape how users discover information. Understanding AEO services pricing helps you budget effectively and choose the right solution for your needs. This guide breaks down current costs across agencies, consultants, and software platforms.
Most AEO agencies offer monthly retainer packages that combine strategy, implementation, and ongoing optimization.
Small business AEO retainers typically range from $1,500 to $5,000 per month. These packages usually include:
At this tier, agencies often bundle AEO with traditional SEO services, providing integrated optimization across both search types.
Mid-market companies typically invest $5,000 to $10,000 per month for comprehensive AEO services. These packages expand coverage to include:
Enterprise AEO retainers range from $10,000 to $20,000+ per month depending on scope. Enterprise services typically include:
Some enterprise engagements involve project-based pricing for major initiatives, with implementation projects ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 for comprehensive AEO overhauls.
For businesses preferring project-based or advisory relationships, AEO consultants offer hourly engagements.
AEO consultant rates in 2026 typically fall into three tiers:
| Experience Level | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Junior/Generalist | $50-$100 |
| Specialist | $100-$200 |
| Expert/Thought Leader | $200-$400+ |
The average hourly rate for AEO specialists falls between $100-$150 per hour. Rates vary based on geographic location, specialization depth, and demonstrated results.
Typical hourly consulting projects include:
Specialized AEO and GEO platforms provide monitoring and optimization capabilities at various price points.
Budget-friendly options for smaller teams or those testing AEO strategies:
These platforms typically cover core visibility monitoring across major AI platforms with basic analytics.
Mid-tier platforms offering expanded features:
These platforms provide deeper analytics, competitive tracking, and integration with broader SEO workflows.
Full-featured platforms for larger organizations:
Enterprise platforms include advanced features like multi-engine measurement, sentiment analysis, API access, and dedicated support.
Understanding the total cost of ownership helps determine the right approach.
Managing AEO in-house requires:
| Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| AEO Platform | $100-$500 |
| Employee Time (20-40 hrs) | $2,000-$6,000* |
| Content Creation | $1,000-$3,000 |
| Total | $3,100-$9,500 |
*Based on average marketing manager salary
Working with an agency involves:
| Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Agency Retainer | $3,000-$10,000 |
| Internal Coordination (5-10 hrs) | $500-$1,500* |
| Total | $3,500-$11,500 |
The cost difference often proves minimal, while agencies bring specialized expertise, established processes, and dedicated focus that in-house teams struggle to replicate alongside other responsibilities.
Several variables influence what you'll pay for AEO services.
Larger sites with thousands of pages require more extensive optimization work. E-commerce sites with complex product catalogs typically cost more than informational sites.
Sites requiring foundational work—technical fixes, content restructuring, schema implementation—involve higher initial investment than sites needing only optimization refinements.
Competitive industries where multiple brands target the same AI citations require more aggressive strategies and ongoing investment.
Multi-market or international AEO involves additional complexity tracking visibility across different language models and regional AI platforms.
Connecting AEO platforms with existing marketing technology stacks may involve additional setup costs.
Justify AEO investment by connecting costs to business outcomes.
Research indicates AI-sourced traffic converts at significantly higher rates than traditional organic traffic—some studies suggest 23x higher conversion rates for users arriving from AI platforms. Calculate the value of incremental conversions AEO generates against your investment.
Being recommended by AI assistants builds brand authority. Quantify the equivalent advertising spend required to achieve similar brand impressions.
Every citation you earn is one your competitor doesn't. Consider the competitive value of capturing AI recommendation share in your industry.
Based on current market rates, consider these starting budgets:
Small Business (<$1M revenue): $500-$2,000/month
Growing Business ($1-10M revenue): $2,000-$5,000/month
Mid-Market ($10-50M revenue): $5,000-$15,000/month
Enterprise ($50M+ revenue): $15,000-$50,000+/month
AEO services typically cost similarly to traditional SEO—$1,500 to $20,000 monthly for agency services. Many agencies now bundle both disciplines. The investment is comparable, but AEO targets a different discovery mechanism.
Yes. Entry-level platforms starting at $20-$50 monthly make basic AEO accessible. However, effective AEO requires content strategy expertise, technical implementation knowledge, and ongoing optimization—skills that agencies provide.
Initial visibility improvements typically appear within 4-8 weeks as optimized content gets indexed. Full citation momentum builds over 3-6 months as AI systems incorporate your optimized content into response patterns.
AEO audits typically assess: current AI visibility across platforms, technical crawler access, content structure for extraction, schema markup implementation, competitor citation analysis, and prioritized recommendations. Expect to pay $1,000-$5,000 for comprehensive audits.
Ready to implement AEO for 23x better conversion rates? Our AI search experts help you dominate ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews. Get your free audit.
Last Updated: January 2026
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