Search for help getting found in AI and you'll meet a wave of "AI SEO agencies." Some do excellent work. Some have relabelled the same services with a new acronym. Here's how to tell the difference.
TL;DR: A good AI-SEO engagement is mostly solid SEO/AEO fundamentals done well (profile and local optimisation, content that answers real questions, consistency and structure) plus measurement of how you show up in AI answers. It's worth paying for when you don't have the time or expertise to do the fundamentals consistently. Be wary of anyone promising guaranteed AI rankings.
What the work actually involves
Strip away the branding and the real work is: auditing how you currently appear, fixing your Google Business Profile and local signals, building review velocity, writing answer-first content that matches customer questions, adding structured data, and tracking movement over time. It's disciplined marketing, not a secret AI trick.
When it's worth it
If you have repeatable demand but no time to maintain the fundamentals, or you're invisible in AI answers and don't know why, outside help pays for itself by getting it done consistently. If you've got the time and like the work, much of it is DIY-able, and we'll tell you honestly which camp you're in.
How to avoid the hype
Walk away from guarantees of "ranking #1 in ChatGPT", no one controls that. Look instead for a clear audit, plain-English explanations, work you'd understand and could take elsewhere, and honest measurement. The point is a system you trust, not a black box.
Key takeaways
- Most "AI SEO" work is strong SEO/AEO fundamentals + AI-visibility measurement
- Worth paying for when time or expertise is the constraint
- Avoid anyone guaranteeing AI rankings; no one controls them
- Demand clarity, no black boxes, and honest tracking
Frequently asked questions
Can an agency guarantee I'll appear in AI answers?
No, and you should be cautious of anyone who claims to. They can materially improve your odds by fixing the signals AI relies on, but guarantees aren't credible.
Is AI SEO just rebranded SEO?
Largely the foundations overlap, but AEO adds genuine differences: answer-first content, Q&A structure, and AI-visibility measurement. Good agencies do both well.
How much does it cost in Australia?
It varies with scope. We scope to outcomes rather than open-ended retainers: book a call and we'll quote the work up front.
Can I do it myself?
Much of the fundamentals, yes. Start by running a free scan to see your gaps, then decide what to tackle and what to hand over.
Want to see where your business stands? Get a free AEO visibility scan, or book a free strategy session.
Written by Katrina Curll, Founder of Linkai Digital. Twenty years in marketing, including seven as a Vice President at Forrester, helping Australian service businesses build systems that capture, convert and keep more clients.