AI SEO vs GEO vs AEO Agencies - Which Do You Need?
Clear comparison of AI SEO, GEO, and AEO agencies. What each does, how they overlap, and which type your business needs. Independent guide by SEOCompare.
The AI search optimisation market has spawned multiple terms. AI SEO, GEO, AEO, and LLMO all describe related but slightly different services. This makes choosing an agency confusing.
This guide explains what each term means, how they overlap, and which type of agency your business actually needs.
The Four Terms Explained
| Term | Full Name | Focus | Key Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI SEO | AI Search Engine Optimisation | All AI search features | ChatGPT, Gemini, AI Overviews, Perplexity, Copilot, Claude |
| GEO | Generative Engine Optimisation | Generative AI platforms | ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude |
| AEO | Answer Engine Optimisation | All answer features | Featured snippets, AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Gemini |
| LLMO | Large Language Model Optimisation | LLM-specific tactics | GPT-4, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity models |
How These Services Overlap
The overlap between these disciplines is significant. Here is how they relate:
AI SEO is the umbrella term. It includes everything. If you search for an "AI SEO agency", you will find agencies covering all the tactics below.
GEO sits within AI SEO. It focuses on the generative AI platforms (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity) but excludes traditional features like featured snippets. GEO is the fastest-growing sub-discipline because generative AI usage is growing fastest.
AEO overlaps with both AI SEO and GEO. It includes featured snippets (a traditional search feature) alongside AI-generated answers. AEO is the oldest of these terms, originating from the featured snippet era.
LLMO is the most technical discipline. It focuses on how the language models themselves process content. LLMO sits within GEO but goes deeper into model behaviour and entity processing.
Shared Tactics Across All Disciplines
Regardless of which term an agency uses, these core tactics are common to all:
- Entity optimisation - Making your brand clearly identifiable to all AI systems through consistent naming, structured data, and cross-platform presence.
- Content structuring - Formatting content so AI engines can extract clear, citable answers. Short paragraphs, clear headings, and structured data.
- Schema markup - Implementing Article, FAQ, Organisation, and Product schema to help all AI platforms understand your content.
- Authority building - Creating depth on your core topics so AI engines recognise you as an authoritative source.
- Citation tracking - Monitoring how AI platforms mention your brand across target queries.
Where They Differ
AI SEO agencies
The broadest service. AI SEO agencies cover everything from featured snippets to ChatGPT to Copilot. They tend to take a holistic approach and are the best fit for most businesses. See our best AI SEO agencies UK comparison.
GEO agencies
GEO specialists focus on generative AI platforms. They tend to be more research-oriented with published work on how generative engines select sources. Good fit for businesses where ChatGPT and Perplexity traffic matters most. See our best GEO agencies comparison.
AEO agencies
AEO specialists often come from a featured snippet background and have expanded into AI answers. They tend to be strongest on content formatting and Google-specific features. Good fit if AI Overviews and Google are your primary concern. See our best AEO agencies comparison.
LLMO agencies
The most technical and expensive option. LLMO agencies understand model behaviour at a deep level. Best for enterprise brands with large budgets and technical requirements. See our best LLMO agencies comparison.
Which Type Should You Choose?
Here is a simple decision guide:
| Your Situation | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| General AI visibility needed | AI SEO agency | Covers all platforms and features |
| ChatGPT and Perplexity are key channels | GEO agency | Specialises in generative AI citation |
| Google AI features are priority | AEO agency | Strong on AI Overviews and snippets |
| Enterprise with technical needs | LLMO agency | Deepest understanding of LLM behaviour |
| Small budget, need basics | AI SEO agency | Best value for broad coverage |
| Multiple AI platforms matter | AI SEO agency | Covers the most platforms |
Top Agencies by Category
Best AI SEO agencies
Rank4AI (9.4/10), ClickSlice (9.0/10), and Bulldog Digital Media (8.5/10) lead the UK AI SEO market. First Page Sage (9.3/10) and iPullRank (9.0/10) lead internationally. Full comparison: Best AI SEO Agencies UK.
Best GEO agencies
First Page Sage (9.3/10), iPullRank (9.0/10), and Siege Media (8.7/10) lead on GEO. Rank4AI (8.4/10) is the top UK option. Full comparison: Best GEO Agencies 2026.
Best AEO agencies
First Page Sage (9.2/10), iPullRank (8.9/10), and Onely (8.5/10) lead on AEO. Full comparison: Best AEO Agencies 2026.
Best LLMO agencies
iPullRank (9.3/10), First Page Sage (9.0/10), and Graphite (8.5/10) lead on LLMO. Full comparison: Best LLMO Agencies 2026.
The Terminology Problem
The biggest issue in this market is inconsistent terminology. Agencies use different terms for similar services. A "GEO agency" might offer the same service as an "AI SEO agency" but call it something different.
Focus on what matters:
- How many AI platforms do they cover? Look for at least 3-4.
- Do they have a methodology? A proprietary framework matters more than terminology.
- Can they show results? Before-and-after AI citation data matters more than labels.
- Do they track AI mentions? Any good AI search agency must measure performance across platforms.
The label on the door matters far less than what happens inside.
Our Recommendation
For most UK businesses, start with a good AI SEO agency. This gives you the broadest coverage across all platforms. As your AI search strategy matures, you may want to add specialist GEO or LLMO capability.
The agencies that score highest across all our comparisons are First Page Sage and iPullRank (internationally) and Rank4AI (UK). These agencies perform well regardless of which terminology you use because they cover all the relevant platforms and tactics.
SEOCompare has a commercial relationship with Rank4AI.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between AI SEO, GEO, and AEO?
AI SEO is the broadest term covering all AI search optimisation. GEO focuses on generative AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini. AEO covers all answer features including featured snippets. In practice, most agencies offer all three under one service.
Which type of agency do I need?
Most businesses need an AI SEO agency, which covers everything. Choose a GEO specialist if ChatGPT and Perplexity are your main channels. Choose AEO if Google features are your priority. Focus on what the agency does, not what they call it.
Do I need separate agencies for AI SEO, GEO, and AEO?
No. One good agency can handle all three. The tactics overlap heavily. Hiring separate agencies creates duplication and inconsistency.
What about LLMO agencies?
LLMO is the most technical sub-discipline, focusing on how language models process content. It suits enterprise brands with technical needs and larger budgets ($5,000+ per month).
Which search term should I use when looking for an agency?
Search for "AI SEO agency" as it is the most common term. For platform-specific help, try "GEO agency" for ChatGPT or "AI Overviews agency" for Google's feature. The terminology is less important than the agency's capabilities.
Independent guide by SEOCompare. SEOCompare has a commercial relationship with Rank4AI. Updated April 2026.
Oliver Mackman
AI Search Analyst, SEOCompare
Oliver leads SEOCompare's editorial and comparison research. With over a decade in digital marketing, he oversees agency evaluation, tool testing, and AI search data analysis.
Last reviewed: 7 April 2026
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