How We Evaluate AI Search Agencies
The scoring framework behind every agency review on SEOCompare. Twelve weighted criteria, transparent methodology, and published limitations.
Key takeaway
Every agency on SEOCompare is scored against 12 weighted criteria totalling 100%. We publish limitations and weaknesses alongside strengths because readers making a purchasing decision deserve the full picture.
Why we built a structured framework
Most comparison sites score agencies on vague criteria like "reputation" or "quality." That tells you nothing when you are choosing between three agencies and need to justify the spend to your board. We built a framework that measures what matters for AI search visibility.
Every criterion has a fixed weight, a defined scoring rubric, and evidence requirements. We apply the same framework to every agency. One-person consultancy or 200-person firm. The full methodology is on our methodology page.
The 12 criteria and their weights
| Criterion | Weight | What we assess |
|---|---|---|
| AI platform coverage | 15% | Which AI engines they actively optimise for: ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, AI Overviews, Copilot |
| Methodology transparency | 12% | Whether their process is documented and publicly available, not hidden behind a sales call |
| Case studies with data | 10% | Published case studies with measurable outcomes, not just client logos |
| Team expertise | 10% | Named team members with verifiable backgrounds in AI, search, or technical SEO |
| Independent review scores | 10% | Ratings on Google, Clutch, G2, and Trustpilot with sufficient volume to be meaningful |
| Pricing transparency | 8% | Whether pricing is published or at least available on request without a lengthy sales process |
| Schema implementation | 8% | Capability with structured data: FAQ, HowTo, Article, Speakable, and custom schema types |
| Content strategy | 7% | Approach to creating AI-optimised content, including answer-first formatting and entity clarity |
| Industry focus | 5% | Specialisation in specific verticals, particularly regulated sectors like healthcare and financial services |
| Reporting and measurement | 5% | How they track AI citations, brand mentions, and visibility across platforms |
| Contract terms | 5% | Minimum commitment length, break clauses, and flexibility |
| Bing optimisation | 5% | Whether they actively optimise for Bing, which feeds ChatGPT and Copilot |
Why AI platform coverage gets the highest weight
An agency that only optimises for Google is not doing AI search optimisation. ChatGPT sources from Bing. Gemini has its own index. Perplexity crawls independently. If an agency cannot explain their approach to each platform, they are selling traditional SEO with a new label.
Why Bing optimisation matters at 5%
Bing feeds both ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. Despite this, many agencies ignore it. We check whether agencies submit to Bing Webmaster Tools, use IndexNow, and track Bing rankings alongside Google. Five percent may seem small. But it reliably separates genuine AI search agencies from rebranded SEO firms.
Why we publish limitations
Every review on SEOCompare includes a "Limitations" section. No agency is perfect for every business. A firm that excels at enterprise B2B may be wrong for a local business. An agency with deep healthcare expertise may not understand ecommerce. Publishing limitations is not criticism. It is honesty that helps readers find the right fit.
If you want to understand how we apply this framework in practice, browse our agency comparison table or read the full methodology documentation.
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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