Answer engine optimization (AEO) is the practice of structuring your content so AI platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Claude cite your brand when generating responses to user queries. For B2B companies, where buying cycles are long and trust matters more than clicks, getting named in an AI answer can shape a prospect’s shortlist before they ever visit your website.
According to HubSpot’s research, 72% of consumers plan to use AI search more frequently going forward, and Gartner projects that traditional search volume will drop 25% by 2026. For B2B organizations, this shift is even more pronounced: Forrester found that 89% of B2B buyers now use generative AI as a source during their research process.
With that context in mind, here are six agencies that B2B companies should consider for AEO.
1. Optimist
Optimist is a B2B content marketing and AEO agency founded in 2016 by Tyler Hakes. The agency works with B2B SaaS companies including Semrush, ZoomInfo, DreamHost, and HelloSign. Optimist’s approach connects content to pipeline and revenue rather than vanity metrics like pageviews. Their AEO work focuses on structuring content around buyer pain points so AI models can follow a clear path from problem to product. A recent fintech case study showed 8x growth in LLM conversions over eight months.
2. Online Optimism
Online Optimism is a full service digital marketing agency headquartered in New Orleans with a second office in New York City. Founded by CEO Flynn Zaiger in 2012, the agency puts people and Optimism first, offering SEO, content marketing, web design, social media, digital ads, and branding. Online Optimism’s Search and Content team builds AEO into their broader SEO strategy, helping B2B clients earn featured placements in AI Overviews and other answer engine surfaces. Their campaign management means B2B clients work directly with the Optimists behind their campaigns, getting personalized attention from a team that makes marketing personal.
3. Omnius
Omnius is a London based B2B SEO and AEO agency that partners exclusively with SaaS, fintech, AI, and cybersecurity companies. They onboard only eight clients per year to ensure deep strategic integration with each one. Their proprietary tool, Atomic AGI, provides visibility tracking across AI search engines. Their technical approach includes LLMs.txt implementation, JavaScript rendering optimization for AI crawlers, and content structured specifically for LLM citation.
4. Quoleady
Quoleady is a Europe based, fully remote content marketing agency founded in 2020 that focuses on B2B SaaS brands. Their AEO services include LLM visibility audits, schema markup, content restructuring for AI citation patterns, and digital PR placements in trusted industry publications. A published case study with Legal Nodes showed a 47.5% increase in booked meetings along with top five AEO rankings within three months.
5. TripleDart
TripleDart is headquartered in Bengaluru, India, with team members spread across Portugal, Spain, Singapore, and Thailand. Founded in 2020, they serve over 100 B2B SaaS companies globally. Their AEO and GEO services optimize content to appear in AI answers across ChatGPT and Perplexity, and they use their proprietary platform, Slate, to keep content creation and reporting connected. A published FlowForma case study documented a 7x increase in traffic attributed to LLMs within six months.
6. Digital Landscope
Digital Landscope is a Glasgow based SEO and AEO agency whose consultants average over ten years of experience in search. They specialize in getting businesses visible across ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode. One of their clients went from zero to ten purchases from ChatGPT Search users in just one month of AEO implementation, and another saw form submissions from ChatGPT Search increase by 28 per month on average.
AEO Agency Comparison
| Agency | Location | Founded | Best For | AEO Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimist | Denver, CO (remote) | 2016 | B2B SaaS content strategy tied to pipeline | Content structured for AI citation |
| Online Optimism | New Orleans, LA and New York, NY | 2012 | B2B companies wanting full service marketing with AEO | Integrated SEO and AEO campaigns |
| Omnius | London, UK | N/A | SaaS and fintech companies | LLM crawler optimization with proprietary AI tracking |
| Quoleady | Europe (remote) | 2020 | B2B SaaS content and LLM visibility | LLM visibility audits and schema markup |
| TripleDart | Bengaluru, India (global team) | 2020 | B2B SaaS growth marketing at scale | Full stack AEO, GEO, and performance marketing |
| Digital Landscope | Glasgow, UK | N/A | Businesses targeting ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode | ChatGPT Search visibility and conversion tracking |
What to Look for in a B2B AEO Agency
Choosing an AEO partner is different from hiring a traditional SEO agency. Traditional SEO focuses on getting pages to rank in a list of links. AEO requires a different skill set that goes beyond keyword optimization. Here are the capabilities to evaluate when comparing agencies:
- Published case studies with specific metrics tied to AI citation growth or pipeline impact
- A clear methodology for how they structure content so that LLMs can extract and cite it
- Tracking tools that measure citation frequency across platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Claude
- Experience implementing schema markup, entity definitions, and structured data for AI readability
- Understanding of your specific B2B vertical, since AEO strategies differ between industries
According to Search Engine Land, the best AEO strategies combine traditional SEO fundamentals with optimizations specific to AI, including content that answers questions first, headers that mirror how buyers phrase their queries, and consistent entity definitions across the web.
FAQ
What is AEO and how is it different from SEO?
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is the practice of optimizing content so AI platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews cite your brand when answering user questions. SEO focuses on ranking pages in traditional search results, while AEO focuses on being selected as a trusted source inside answers generated by AI.
How long does it take to see results from AEO?
Most agencies report initial citation appearances within four to six weeks of optimizing priority pages. Consistent visibility across multiple answer engines typically takes three to four months of sustained effort.
Can a small B2B company benefit from AEO?
Yes. AEO rewards structure, accuracy, and expertise over sheer domain size. A smaller B2B company with well organized, expert content can earn AI citations for niche queries that larger competitors overlook.
Does AEO replace traditional SEO?
No. AEO works alongside SEO. AI models rely on traditional search infrastructure to discover and evaluate content, so a strong SEO foundation is still necessary. The best B2B marketing strategies combine both approaches.
What should I budget for AEO services?
AEO pricing varies widely by agency and scope. Some agencies offer sprint packages starting around $5,000 for initial audits and optimization, while ongoing monthly retainers for comprehensive AEO campaigns can range from $2,000 to $30,000 or more depending on your industry and goals.