Best Answer Engine Optimization Agencies 2025: Complete Comparison

Updated: November 2025

What Is Answer Engine Optimization and Why It Matters in 2025

Answer Engine Optimization has evolved from experimental tactic to business necessity. As of November 2025, AI platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Claude collectively handle hundreds of millions of queries daily. Gartner predicts classic web search traffic will drop 25% by 2026 as users shift to conversational answers.

The stakes: If your brand doesn't appear in AI-generated answers, you're invisible to a rapidly growing segment of your market. Yet only 32% of enterprise marketers feel confident diagnosing why their brand disappears from AI answer blocks, according to BrightEdge research.

This creates demand for specialized agencies. But the AEO agency landscape is fragmented—some adapt traditional SEO, others build proprietary methodologies, and pricing varies from $1,500 to $50,000+ monthly.

Disclosure: This comparison includes AIVO, our company, alongside established competitors. We've applied the same objective criteria to all agencies and transparently note where others excel. Our goal is helping you make the right choice, even if that's not us.

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Quick Comparison Table: Top 7 AEO Agencies

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Detailed Agency Analysis

1. First Page Sage: Enterprise Data-Driven Leader

Overview: First Page Sage positions itself as the top answer engine optimization firm for enterprise brands, conducting comprehensive analysis of 73 companies quarterly and publishing transparency reports on agency performance.

Methodology Transparency: High. Publishes detailed methodology including AI Platform Visibility Score (measuring ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews performance), client portfolio quality scoring, technical execution capabilities, and strategic differentiation criteria.

Vertical Specialization: Generalist approach serving enterprise across all industries.

Company Size Focus: Enterprise ($500M+ revenue), with some mid-market expansion.

Pricing Transparency: Low. Pricing available upon request only, but industry sources estimate $50K+ for 6-month engagements.

Results Timeline: 90-120 days for measurable visibility improvements.

Service Model: Full-service agency with dedicated account teams.

Pros:

• Most transparent competitive analysis and ranking methodology in the industry
• Strong data-driven approach with proprietary AI visibility scoring
• Established reputation and enterprise client portfolio
• Comprehensive coverage across all major AI platforms

Cons:

• Premium enterprise pricing excludes mid-market brands
• Generalist approach lacks deep vertical expertise
• Long sales cycle and onboarding process
• Limited pricing transparency requires extensive discovery calls

Best For: Enterprise brands ($500M+ revenue) needing comprehensive AI visibility strategy backed by data-driven methodology and willing to invest $50K+ over 6 months.

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2. iPullRank: Technical "Relevance Engineering" Pioneer

Overview: iPullRank, based in Brooklyn, has pivoted from traditional enterprise SEO to "Relevance Engineering" — a proprietary approach addressing conversational search platforms and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).

Methodology Transparency: High. Published "The AI Search Manual" documenting their Relevance Engineering approach, covering conversational search mechanics and GEO principles.

Vertical Specialization: Generalist with technical SEO heritage.

Company Size Focus: Enterprise, 11-50 employees.

Pricing Transparency: Moderate. Publicly discloses $50,000+ minimum engagement with $50,000+ monthly budgets.

Results Timeline: 90-120 days.

Service Model: Consulting-heavy agency model emphasizing strategic guidance.

Pros:

• Strong technical foundation from enterprise SEO background
• Thought leadership through AI Search Manual publication
• Transparent minimum pricing ($50K engagement, $50K+ monthly)
• Established 11-year company history with 9.5 reputation score

Cons:

• High entry cost excludes small and mid-market companies
• "Relevance Engineering" positioning may confuse buyers familiar with SEO/AEO terms
• Consulting-heavy approach requires internal execution capability
• Limited vertical-specific expertise

Best For: Enterprise brands with technical SEO needs wanting strategic consulting guidance backed by published methodology, comfortable with $50K+ minimum engagement.

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3. AIVO: Mid-Market Systematic Framework Specialist

Overview: AIVO focuses exclusively on mid-market brands ($10M-$500M revenue) in three verticals: e-commerce, SaaS, and travel. Built around the REVEAL Framework (Research, Engineer, Velocity, Expand, Assess, Leadership), a six-stage systematic methodology.

Methodology Transparency: Very High. Publicly documented REVEAL Framework with detailed component breakdown, case studies, and implementation guides.

Vertical Specialization: Focused. E-commerce, SaaS, travel/hospitality only.

Company Size Focus: Mid-market ($10M-$500M revenue) exclusively.

Pricing Transparency: Very High. Three published tiers: Strategy & Roadmap ($8K/mo), Managed Implementation ($15K/mo), Category Leadership ($25K/mo).

Results Timeline: 60-90 days with guarantee.

Service Model: Hybrid (consulting + agency execution + software tools).

Pros:

• Transparent tier-based pricing published on website ($8K-25K/mo)
• Systematic REVEAL Framework with public documentation and component library
• Mid-market specialization (not enterprise or SMB compromises)
• Fastest results timeline (60-90 day guarantee) in comparison set
• Cross-vertical insights from focused e-commerce, SaaS, travel experience
• Free AIVO Audit tool for testing AI visibility before commitment

Cons:

• Limited to 3 verticals only — not suitable for financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, etc.
• 6-month minimum commitment (longer than some competitors)
• Newer market entrant (established 2025) vs. decade+ agencies
• Mid-market focus means not optimized for enterprise ($500M+) or small business (<$10M) needs
• Systematic framework may be overcomplicated for simple use cases

Best For: Mid-market brands ($10M-$500M revenue) in e-commerce, SaaS, or travel wanting systematic methodology with transparent pricing, proven 60-90 day timeline, and preferring specialized focus over generalist approach.

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4. Avenue Z: Integrated PR and Marketing Powerhouse

Overview: Avenue Z positions AEO within their broader integrated marketing and PR services, emphasizing how answer engine optimization connects to content marketing, social media, and traditional PR.

Methodology Transparency: Moderate. Publishes thought leadership blog content on AEO/GEO but limited methodology documentation.

Vertical Specialization: Generalist approach across consumer and B2B sectors.

Company Size Focus: Mid-market to enterprise.

Pricing Transparency: Low. Custom pricing upon request.

Results Timeline: 120+ days (integrated campaigns require longer ramp).

Service Model: Full-service integrated agency.

Pros:

• Strong thought leadership through blog content and industry commentary
• Integrated approach connects AI visibility to broader marketing strategy
• Established agency with full-service capabilities
• Useful for brands needing PR, content, and AEO together

Cons:

• AEO not core offering — embedded within broader services
• Limited pricing transparency requires discovery process
• Longer timeline due to integrated campaign approach
• May lack specialized AEO technical depth vs. focused agencies

Best For: Brands needing integrated marketing, PR, and content services where AEO is one component of broader strategy, comfortable with 120+ day timelines and custom pricing discovery.

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5. Single Grain: Growth-Stage Hybrid Approach

Overview: Single Grain offers SEO + AEO hybrid services targeting growth-stage companies, emphasizing their ability to adapt traditional SEO tactics to AI platform requirements.

Methodology Transparency: Moderate. Blog content and case studies but limited framework documentation.

Vertical Specialization: Generalist.

Company Size Focus: Growth-stage ($5M-$100M revenue).

Pricing Transparency: Low. Custom pricing upon request.

Results Timeline: 90-120 days.

Service Model: Agency with SEO foundation.

Pros:

• Strong SEO heritage provides foundation for technical optimization
• Growth-stage focus bridges SMB and mid-market gap
• Blog content demonstrates ongoing AEO learning
• Hybrid approach leverages existing SEO investments

Cons:

• SEO-first approach may not prioritize AI-specific tactics
• Limited AEO methodology documentation vs. dedicated frameworks
• Pricing opacity requires sales process
• Generalist positioning lacks vertical depth

Best For: Growth-stage companies ($5M-$100M) with existing SEO programs wanting to extend optimization to AI platforms without complete strategy overhaul.

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6. Pedowitz Group: Content Cluster Specialists

Overview: Pedowitz Group's AEO offering centers on content cluster methodology: one pillar page + 100+ question pages per cluster, priced at $100 per question page.

Methodology Transparency: High. Published pricing and cluster approach clearly documented.

Vertical Specialization: B2B focus.

Company Size Focus: Mid-market to enterprise B2B.

Pricing Transparency: High. $100 per question page, $10K+ per cluster minimum (100 pages).

Results Timeline: 90-120 days.

Service Model: Content production agency.

Pros:

• Clear transparent pricing ($100/page, $10K minimum per cluster)
• Content cluster approach aligns with AI platform preference for comprehensive information
• Strong B2B focus and methodology
• Scalable model (add clusters as needed)

Cons:

• Content-heavy approach requires significant content investment
• 100-page minimum per cluster may be overkill for some topics
• Limited focus on technical optimization beyond content
• B2B specialization may not translate to B2C effectively

Best For: B2B mid-market to enterprise companies ($25M+ revenue) with content-heavy strategies needing comprehensive question coverage, comfortable with $10K+ investment per topic cluster.

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7. AEO Agency: Budget-Friendly Starter Option

Overview: AEO Agency offers entry-level AEO services for local businesses and startups with transparent monthly pricing starting at $1,499.

Methodology Transparency: Moderate. Service packages clearly outlined.

Vertical Specialization: Local businesses focus.

Company Size Focus: Small business and startups.

Pricing Transparency: Very High. Published tiers: Starter ($1,499/mo), Growth Booster ($2,999/mo).

Results Timeline: 120+ days.

Service Model: Monthly retainer agency.

Pros:

• Most affordable entry point ($1,499/mo)
• Monthly commitment (no 6-month minimums)
• Clear service package breakdown
• Suitable for small business budgets

Cons:

• Limited scope (10-30 pages monthly)
• Basic optimization approach vs. systematic frameworks
• Longer results timeline (120+ days)
• May lack mid-market or enterprise execution capability

Best For: Small businesses and startups ($1M-10M revenue) wanting to test AEO without major investment, comfortable with 120+ day timelines and basic optimization approach.

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How to Choose the Right AEO Agency: Decision Framework

Choose First Page Sage If You Need:

• Enterprise brand reputation and established methodology
• Comprehensive AI platform coverage across all channels
• Data-driven AI visibility scoring and quarterly competitive analysis
• Budget of $50K+ for 6-month engagement

Choose iPullRank If You Need:

• Technical SEO foundation with AI search evolution
• Strategic consulting guidance with published Relevance Engineering methodology
• Internal team capable of executing recommendations
• Budget of $50K+ for technical enterprise focus

Choose AIVO If You Need:

• Mid-market specialization ($10M-$500M revenue)
• Transparent systematic REVEAL Framework methodology
• Fastest results timeline (60-90 day guarantee)
• Pricing transparency (published $8K-25K/mo tiers)
• Vertical expertise in e-commerce, SaaS, or travel specifically

Choose Avenue Z If You Need:

• Integrated marketing, PR, and AEO together
• Brand wanting holistic campaign approach
• Comfort with 120+ day integrated timelines
• Custom pricing based on broader service package

Choose Single Grain If You Need:

• Hybrid SEO + AEO approach for growth-stage company
• Leveraging existing SEO investments
• Bridge between traditional search and AI platforms
• Growth-stage budget ($5M-$100M revenue)

Choose Pedowitz Group If You Need:

• B2B content cluster approach
• Comprehensive question coverage per topic
• Transparent per-page pricing ($100/page)
• Content-heavy strategy with $10K+ cluster investment

Choose AEO Agency If You Need:

• Budget-friendly entry point ($1,499-2,999/mo)
• Monthly commitment without long-term contract
• Small business focus
• Basic optimization without systematic framework

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Key Evaluation Criteria Explained

1. Methodology Transparency

Why It Matters: You need to understand what you're paying for. Proprietary "black box" approaches create vendor lock-in and prevent internal learning.

What to Look For: Publicly documented frameworks (like AIVO's REVEAL or iPullRank's Relevance Engineering), clear stage breakdown, component libraries, and case studies showing methodology application.

Red Flag: "Proprietary AI algorithms we can't disclose" without any documentation.

2. Vertical Specialization vs Generalist

Why It Matters: AI platforms pull different content types per vertical. E-commerce needs product schema and comparison content; SaaS needs demo attribution; travel needs booking intent optimization.

What to Look For: Agency case studies in your industry, vertical-specific insights in their content, understanding of your customer journey.

Trade-Off: Specialists offer depth but limit scope. Generalists offer flexibility but may lack vertical insights.

3. Pricing Transparency

Why It Matters: AEO pricing ranges from $1,500 to $50,000+ monthly. Opaque pricing forces lengthy sales processes and prevents accurate budgeting.

What to Look For: Published pricing tiers or ranges, clear minimum commitments, transparent add-on costs.

Reality Check: Only 2 of 7 agencies in this comparison publish clear pricing (AIVO, Pedowitz Group partially). Most require discovery calls.

4. Results Timeline

Why It Matters: Leadership needs to know when to expect ROI. AI visibility improvements can take 60-120+ days depending on methodology and current state.

What to Look For: Realistic timelines (beware of 30-day promises), milestone breakdown, guarantee structures.

Benchmark: Systematic approaches with technical foundation show results in 60-90 days. SEO-adapted or integrated campaigns take 120+ days.

5. Service Model: Consulting vs Agency vs Hybrid

Why It Matters: Your internal capability determines which model works.

• Consulting: Strategic guidance, you execute. Requires capable internal team.
• Agency: They execute everything. Higher cost, faster implementation if you lack resources.
• Hybrid: Guidance + selective execution. Balances cost and capability building.

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Common AEO Agency Pitfalls to Avoid

Pitfall #1: SEO Agencies Rebranding Without AI Expertise

Red Flag: Agency launched SEO services in 2010, added "AEO" to homepage in 2024 without methodology changes.

How to Spot: Ask specific questions: "How do you optimize for ChatGPT citations vs Google AI Overviews?" If answer is vague or identical to SEO tactics, be skeptical.

Pitfall #2: Overpromising Results Timelines

Red Flag: "Guaranteed #1 citation in ChatGPT in 30 days."

Reality: AI platform optimization typically takes 60-120 days depending on current state, competition, and technical foundation. Instant results promises are unrealistic.

Pitfall #3: No Pricing Transparency + High-Pressure Sales

Red Flag: Won't discuss pricing ranges until 3rd sales call, creates urgency with "limited availability."

Alternative: Agencies with transparent pricing (AIVO, Pedowitz Group) let you self-qualify before sales engagement.

Pitfall #4: "We Optimize for All Platforms" Without Prioritization

Red Flag: Claims equal expertise in ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Google AI, Gemini, Grok, and 10 other platforms.

Reality: Each platform has unique ranking factors. Effective agencies prioritize based on your ICP behavior (which platforms your customers use most).

Pitfall #5: No Vertical Expertise for Your Industry

Red Flag: Case studies from unrelated industries ("We optimized a dental clinic, so we can optimize your SaaS platform").

What You Need: Vertical-specific insights. E-commerce product schema differs from SaaS demo attribution differs from travel booking intent.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the average cost of AEO agency services in 2025?

Mid-market AEO agency pricing ranges from $8,000-$25,000 monthly for 6-month commitments. Enterprise agencies charge $50,000+ for 6-month engagements. Budget-friendly options start at $1,499/month for small businesses. Content-heavy approaches like Pedowitz Group charge $100 per page with $10K minimum per cluster.

Pricing depends on methodology depth, company size focus, and service model (consulting vs full-service agency vs hybrid).

How long does it take to see results from AEO?

Results timelines vary by methodology and starting point:

• Systematic frameworks with technical foundation: 60-90 days (AIVO)
• Enterprise comprehensive approaches: 90-120 days (First Page Sage, iPullRank)
• SEO-adapted or integrated campaigns: 120+ days (Avenue Z, Single Grain)
• Budget entry-level services: 120+ days (AEO Agency)

Beware of 30-day result promises — they're typically unrealistic given AI platform indexing and ranking timelines.

Should I hire an agency or build AEO in-house?

Choose Agency If:

• Need results in 60-90 days (vs 6-12 months in-house)
• Lack internal AI visibility expertise
• Want proven methodology immediately
• Budget is $48K-180K for 6 months

Choose In-House If:

• Have 12+ month timeline
• Budget is $200K+ per year (SEO manager, content writer, developer, tools)
• Want maximum control and internal capability building
• Have technical SEO foundation already

Choose Hybrid If:

• Want to balance cost and capability ($48K for strategic guidance, internal execution)
• Need knowledge transfer to internal team
• Have partial capability but gaps in AI-specific tactics

See our full analysis: AIVO vs DIY AI Optimization Cost-Benefit Analysis

What's the difference between AEO, GEO, and AI Visibility Optimization?

Answer Engine Optimization (AEO): Optimizing for AI platforms that answer questions directly (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude).

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): Broader term encompassing optimization for any AI-generated content, including Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE).

AI Visibility Optimization: Umbrella term covering both AEO and GEO plus emerging AI discovery channels.

In Practice: Most agencies use these terms interchangeably. Focus on their methodology and platform coverage rather than terminology debates.

Do I need an AEO-specialized agency or can my SEO agency handle it?

It depends on your SEO agency's AI adaptation:

Your SEO Agency Can Handle AEO If:

• They've published AI-specific methodology (not just added AEO to services list)
• Case studies show AI platform citation growth (not just Google rankings)
• They understand platform-specific differences (ChatGPT vs Perplexity vs Google AI)
• They've invested in AI visibility measurement tools (Profound, Peec.AI, etc.)

You Need Specialized AEO Agency If:

• Current SEO agency treats AI platforms as "just another ranking factor"
• No AI-specific case studies or methodology documentation
• Focus remains primarily on traditional Google search optimization
• Lack of AI platform measurement capability

What metrics should I track to evaluate AEO agency performance?

Primary Metrics:

• Citation Rate: Percentage of brand mentions when target queries asked in AI platforms
• Citation Position: Average position within AI-generated answers (1st mention vs buried)
• Platform Coverage: Which AI platforms cite your brand (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Google AI)

Secondary Metrics:

• AI Referral Traffic: GA4 traffic from AI platform referrals
• Zero-Click Attribution: Conversions influenced by AI visibility (tracked via surveys, vanity URLs, UTM parameters)
• Competitive Citations: How often you're cited vs competitors in head-to-head queries

Leading Indicators:

• Schema Implementation: Percentage of pages with FAQPage, HowTo, Product schema
• Content Velocity: New comparison, FAQ, and how-to content published monthly
• Technical Compliance: llms.txt, robots.txt, sitemap configuration for AI crawlers

How do I verify an AEO agency's client results?

Verification Steps:

• Ask for specific queries: "What questions trigger your clients' citations in ChatGPT?"
• Test queries yourself: Ask those questions in AI platforms to verify citations
• Request time-series data: Citation rate improvements over 90 days (not just "we got cited")
• Check methodology documentation: Published frameworks more credible than vague "proprietary approach"
• Read case studies critically: Look for specific metrics (citation rate, traffic, pipeline) not vague "visibility improvements"

Red Flags:

• Won't provide specific test queries ("proprietary information")
• Only shows Google rankings, not AI platform citations
• Case studies lack hard numbers
• References to clients you can't verify

Should I prioritize ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Google AI first?

Prioritize Based on Your ICP Behavior:

B2B SaaS, Professional Services: Prioritize Perplexity and ChatGPT — higher usage among knowledge workers and decision-makers.

E-commerce, Consumer Brands: Prioritize Google AI Overviews and ChatGPT Shopping — higher consumer search volume.

Technical Audiences: Prioritize Claude and Perplexity — preferred by technical users for research.

Ask Your Agency:

• "Which platforms does our ICP use most?"
• "Where do our competitors get cited?"
• "Which platform offers fastest ROI for our vertical?"

Effective agencies prioritize based on your customer behavior, not blanket "optimize for everything" approaches.

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Key Takeaways

• AEO agency pricing ranges 100x: From $1,499/month (budget entry) to $50,000+ (enterprise). Know your budget and company size to filter options quickly.

• Only 2 of 7 agencies publish transparent pricing: Most require lengthy discovery calls. If pricing transparency matters, consider AIVO, Pedowitz Group, AEO Agency, or iPullRank (minimum disclosed).

• Methodology transparency predicts vendor lock-in risk: Publicly documented frameworks (REVEAL, Relevance Engineering) let you learn and eventually execute in-house. "Proprietary black box" approaches create permanent dependence.
• Vertical specialization vs generalist is a real trade-off: Specialists (AIVO for e-commerce/SaaS/travel, Pedowitz for B2B) offer depth. Generalists (First Page Sage, Avenue Z, Single Grain) offer flexibility but may lack vertical insights.

• Results timelines vary by methodology: Systematic frameworks with technical foundation show results in 60-90 days. SEO-adapted approaches take 120+ days. Beware of 30-day promises.

• Service model must match your internal capability: Consulting (iPullRank) requires strong internal team. Full-service agencies (First Page Sage, AIVO Managed Implementation) handle everything at higher cost. Hybrid (AIVO Strategy & Roadmap) balances cost and capability building.
• Test before committing: Use free tools (AIVO Audit, agency assessment calls) to validate current AI visibility state before signing 6-month contracts.

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Next Steps: Choosing Your AEO Partner

Step 1: Define Your Requirements (30 minutes)

• Company size and revenue tier ($1M-10M SMB, $10M-$500M mid-market, $500M+ enterprise)
• Vertical (e-commerce, SaaS, travel, B2B, other)
• Budget range (monthly and 6-month commitment)
• Timeline urgency (need results in 60, 90, or 120+ days)
• Internal capability (strong team = consulting, limited resources = full agency)

Step 2: Shortlist 3 Agencies (1 hour)

Use decision framework above to identify 3 agencies matching your requirements. Request:

• Pricing specifics (if not published)
• Methodology documentation
• Case studies in your vertical
• Client references

Step 3: Evaluate Methodology Transparency (2 hours)

Review each agency's published content:

• Frameworks and component libraries
• Blog content quality and recency
• Case study specificity (hard metrics vs vague claims)
• Thought leadership vs sales content

Step 4: Test Your Current AI Visibility (30 minutes)

Before agency calls, baseline your current state:

• Ask 10 target questions in ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude
• Document current citation rate
• Identify which competitors get cited
• Note gaps in your AI visibility

Use: Free AIVO Audit Tool for automated testing across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Google AI. Get your baseline citation rate in 60 seconds—no signup required.

Step 5: Run Agency Evaluation Calls (3-4 hours)

Ask specific questions:

• "How do you optimize for [your top AI platform] specifically?"
• "Show me a client's citation rate improvement over 90 days."
• "What's your vertical expertise in [your industry]?"
• "Walk me through your methodology's first 30 days."
• "How do you measure success beyond citations?"

Step 6: Make Decision Based on Fit, Not Sales Pressure (1 day)

Evaluate:

• Methodology transparency and documentation quality
• Vertical expertise and case study relevance
• Pricing alignment with budget and expected ROI
• Timeline match with business urgency
• Service model fit with internal capability

Don't Decide Based On:

• Sales pressure or "limited availability" urgency
• Cheapest option (usually inadequate for mid-market needs)
• Most expensive option (enterprise pricing doesn't guarantee results)
• Impressive website alone (evaluate methodology depth)

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Transparency Statement

This comparison includes AIVO (our company) alongside competitors. We've applied the same objective criteria to all agencies and noted where competitors excel:

• First Page Sage leads in enterprise data-driven methodology and transparent competitive analysis
• iPullRank offers strongest technical foundation and published Relevance Engineering framework
• Avenue Z and Single Grain provide integrated marketing services we don't offer
• Pedowitz Group has clearest content cluster approach for B2B
• AEO Agency offers most affordable entry point for small businesses

We believe AIVO is the best choice for mid-market brands ($10M-$500M) in e-commerce, SaaS, or travel wanting systematic REVEAL Framework methodology, transparent pricing, and 60-90 day results. We're not the best choice for enterprise, small business, or industries outside our three verticals.

Explore AIVO services:

• Strategy & Roadmap - $8K/month expert guidance
• Managed Implementation - $15K/month full execution (most popular)
• Free AIVO Audit - Test your current AI visibility
• About AIVO - Meet our team and approach

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Author: AIVO Research Team Published: November 21, 2025 Updated: November 21, 2025 Reading Time: 12 minutes

Comparison based on publicly available information, agency websites, published pricing, case studies, and methodology documentation as of November 2025. Competitive landscape changes frequently — verify current agency offerings directly.