AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google's AI Overviews now answer millions of queries every day. These platforms pull information, synthesize it, and give users direct answers, not just a list of search results.
This is changing the game fast. 25% of organic traffic will move to AI chatbots and virtual agents by 2026. Gartner predicts organic search traffic will drop 25% by 2026. To stay visible, you need Answer Engine Optimization (AEO).
Answer engine optimization keeps you visible as people shift to AI-powered search. Skip it, and you'll disappear from results. Here is a list of the top rated answer engine optimization agency services.
Understanding Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
AEO means optimizing your content so it appears in AI-generated answers. When someone asks a question on ChatGPT or Perplexity, these tools scan the web and create a synthesized answer. You want to be the source they cite.
AEO is not traditional SEO. SEO gets your page to rank and drives clicks. AEO gets your content mentioned right in the AI's response. You’re aiming for citations, not just rankings.
Comparing Leading AEO Agencies
Three agencies dominate AEO: Graphite, Daydream, and Hatter. They all handle strategy, execution, and reporting with real-time dashboards and proprietary tools. They differ in pricing, approach, and strengths.
Graphite
Graphite focuses on tech startups and enterprises. They’re based in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Industry leader Ethan Smith runs the team, and their research shapes the AEO field.
Their platform tracks content performance across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s AI Overviews. You see:
What questions your content shows up for
Which competitors get cited instead of you
Benchmarks using their well-known "AEO Tools" index
Graphite is an excellent option for enterprises with service plans starting at $10,000 per month.
They also provide an option to use their AEO metrics dashboard for $49/month, which includes 25 API-tracked questions, as well as 200 citations. The Pro plan runs $129/month—you'll get 50 questions and access to more platforms like Gemini and Claude. This does not provide the service; it only provides the metrics.
The catch? They're built for enterprises. Small and medium-sized businesses get overlooked and face steep pricing.
Daydream
Daydream launched in 2023. They began as a programmatic SEO shop, then expanded to include Generative Engine Optimization.
Your retainer with Daydream covers editorial SEO, technical optimization, and LLM-specific data structuring.
Service starts at $4,000 per month after a demo and goes up to $10,000 per month. This buys you dedicated support, but puts Daydream beyond many small or mid-size companies.
Hatter
Hatter takes a smart approach to AEO. The team includes marketers from Microsoft, Uber, and Deliveroo who blend technical and strategic expertise.
Hatter provides a fully outsourced AEO team to handle strategy, execution, and reporting. They provide all clients with access to their proprietary platform with:
trafficAI visibility monitoring
SEO metrics to track impressions, traffic, and ranking trends in real-time
AI editing tools for reviewing content
Hatter has a unique focus on customizing strategies for your business. Current clients describe us as their outsourced content marketing team that knows their business and customer as well as they do. The Hatter platform allows us to ingest marketing and sales materials, as well as sales call transcripts, to infuse all content with unique insights.
Pricing:
$3500 for the main service package
$7500 for a package that includes digital PR (for genuine mentions across the web)
Hatter is an approachable AEO option for businesses of any size. You get serious optimization, a quality service and team, at a fraction of competitors’ costs.
Traditional Agencies: Still Worth Considering?
Many established SEO agencies now offer AEO. NoGood, Siege Media, and 51Blocks have updated their toolkits to include AI search optimization.
These agencies bring:
Years of SEO experience
Tested processes for content, links, and technical optimization
But traditional agencies have hurdles. Their pricing comes from old service models. Retainers still run $2,000-$20,000/month. Meanwhile, AI-first providers offer similar returns at lower costs with more visibility from real-time dashboards and tools.
Service scope differs, too. Many older agencies treat AEO as a side service. In contrast, Graphite, Daydream, and Hatter were all built for AEO from day one.
Determining the Right Pricing and ROI
AEO pricing depends on:
Your website’s size
How deep you want to optimize
How many AI platforms you target
Most brands see a 40–60% lift in AI citations over 3–6 months after starting AEO.
Check for hidden fees. Some of the traditional agencies split charges by content, technical work, or reporting. Agencies like Hatter stick to one flat fee, so there are no surprises.
With AEO, ROI is different. You track:
Citations
Mentions
How often AI platforms reference your brand
Think long term. More search moves to AI each month. Your visibility in AI tools grows more valuable every day.
Figure out your current organic cost per acquisition. If AEO keeps or improves this while catching AI-driven traffic, the investment pays for itself.
The Best Fit for Your AEO Goals
Pick your answer engine optimization service based on your needs and budget.
Graphite is great for enterprises that want best-in-class tracking and don’t mind higher prices.
Daydream is for well-funded startups needing hands-on technical updates.
Hatter gives the best expertise, quality, and price for most businesses.
If you’re happy with your traditional agency, make sure they are truly updating their approach to help you show up in LLMs. If not, you may want to take a look at the dedicated answer engine optimization services, such as Hatter, Daydram, and Graphite.
Want to see where you stand in AI search? Check your current AI visibility with Hatter’s free monitoring tool. See exactly where you stand across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and more. Compare with your competition. Decide what you want, and choose an answer engine optimization service that plugs every gap, matches your budget, and fits your working style.
