AEO Agency Pricing: What $10K-$20K/Month Buys You in AI Visibility & Leads

Updated December 10, 2025

If you're a VP of Marketing at a B2B SaaS company, you've had this conversation with your CFO: "Why does this cost double our SEO retainer?" Traditional SEO agencies charge $5,000–$8,000 per month and deliver 4-8 blog posts. AEO agencies charge $10,000–$20,000 and demand longer commitments.

Here's the straight answer. Nearly half of B2B buyers now use AI for vendor research. When prospects ask ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity for recommendations in your category, you either appear in the answer or you don't exist.

This guide breaks down exactly what you pay for at each tier and what Discovered Labs delivers at €5,495/month. We'll cover the hidden costs most agencies don't mention upfront and the specific deliverables that separate real AEO work from repackaged SEO with an "AI optimization" label slapped on.

The cost of AI invisibility

The math on AI invisibility is brutal. B2B buyers use generative AI throughout their purchasing process, and Gartner predicts traditional search volume will drop 25% by 2026 as AI assistants replace traditional search.

If your brand doesn't appear when buyers ask AI for vendor recommendations, you're invisible to the fastest-growing segment of your market. Competitors who appear in ChatGPT answers get evaluated. You don't even make the shortlist.

The opportunity cost compounds. One study found B2B LLM referrals converted at higher rates than traditional organic search. Higher conversion rates mean lower customer acquisition costs.

Every month you delay AEO, competitors capture more of this higher-quality traffic and build citation momentum that becomes harder to overcome.

Your Google rankings won't save you. A B2B SaaS company can rank #2 on Google for "project management software for distributed teams" and still be completely absent when prospects ask Claude the same question. Google rankings and AI citations are different systems with different ranking factors.

AEO pricing tiers for B2B SaaS

The AEO market has stratified into three distinct tiers based on service depth and client size. Understanding where your needs fall helps you budget appropriately and avoid paying for enterprise overhead you don't need.

The low end ($2K-$5K/mo)

This tier includes consulting packages ranging from $1,000 to $3,500 per month and DIY tools that provide strategy but limited execution.

You get strategy documents, content audits, schema recommendations, and access to optimization software. You don't get the actual execution—you'll need internal headcount to write daily content, implement technical changes, build Reddit presence, and monitor citation rates.

You should choose this tier only if you have a strong content team that just needs strategic direction. The DIY approach works for companies with existing content operations that need strategic guidance rather than full execution.

The mid-market ($10K-$20K/mo)

This is where specialized AEO agencies like us operate. Services in this tier typically range from $8,000 to $25,000 per month for B2B SaaS companies. You pay for full execution: daily content production using frameworks like our CITABLE methodology, technical implementation, third-party validation, and comprehensive tracking.

The volume difference is significant. Traditional SEO agencies at similar price points deliver 4-8 blog posts per month. Specialized AEO agencies deliver 20+ optimized pieces because AI systems require coverage across hundreds of buyer questions to build topical authority.

One case study shows how 66 articles in a month drove a 4x increase in AI-referred trials.

Most agencies require 6-12 month commitments because AEO results take 3-4 months to materialize. Setup fees range from $2,500 to $12,000+ at traditional agencies. Learn more about how AEO differs from traditional SEO to understand why the methodology requires different pricing.

The enterprise ($25K+/mo)

Large agencies serving Fortune 500 clients charge $25,000+ per month for enterprise infrastructure: dedicated account teams, custom dashboards, and service-level agreements.

This tier makes sense for companies with complex stakeholder approval processes or international operations. For mid-market B2B SaaS companies with $2M–$50M ARR, you're often subsidizing enterprise overhead you don't need.

What drives the cost? (The deliverables)

We do fundamentally different work than traditional SEO. The price reflects higher content volume, technical complexity, and cross-platform coordination that traditional SEO doesn't require.

Content volume and velocity

Traditional SEO aims to rank individual pages for target keywords. AEO requires covering the full question landscape because AI systems synthesize information across multiple sources.

We produce 20+ optimized articles per month as a baseline because topical authority matters more in AI citation than individual page rankings. Each piece targets a cluster of related questions using our CITABLE framework: clear entity structure, third-party validation, answer grounding, and technical optimization for LLM retrieval.

When buyers ask AI complex questions with multiple constraints ("project management software for distributed teams under 100 people with Slack integration"), the AI searches for passages that address each element. Your content must cover this breadth to get cited.

Technical schema and entity work

We build structured data into every piece because AI systems rely heavily on it to understand content. Every article we publish includes schema markup (Organization, Product, FAQPage) and explicit entity relationships.

Without this technical foundation, AI models struggle to connect your brand to relevant queries even when your content is comprehensive. This guide on optimizing content for AI search walks through the 11-step technical process we use for every article.

Entity optimization involves building a knowledge graph that maps relationships between your product, use cases, competitors, and industry concepts. This helps AI understand context and authority.

Third-party validation building

AI models trust external mentions more than owned content. We coordinate citation building across Reddit using aged, high-karma accounts, reviews on G2 and Capterra, and industry publications.

The Reddit component alone is substantial. Our strategic Reddit marketing services require understanding subreddit cultures and building genuine engagement patterns.

We maintain dedicated account infrastructure specifically for this work, avoiding the promotional content that gets downvoted immediately.

Citation tracking and optimization

We measure success by citation rate—the percentage of relevant queries where AI platforms mention your brand. This requires continuous monitoring across ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Copilot.

We track not just whether you're cited but your share of voice versus competitors and the sentiment of mentions. Learn how keyword ranking works in AI search to understand why this differs from traditional SEO metrics.

Discovered Labs pricing and packages

We built our pricing model around two principles: radical transparency and continuous accountability. You shouldn't need to book a sales call to understand what you'll pay, and we shouldn't keep your business if we're not delivering measurable results every month.

The AEO Sprint (€4,995 one-time)

We designed the AEO Sprint as a 14-day engagement for companies that want immediate impact without ongoing commitment. View full Sprint details on our pricing page.

You get 10 publication-ready articles optimized using the CITABLE framework, covering your highest-priority buyer questions. We deliver an AI Visibility Audit showing exactly where you and your top three competitors appear across ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews for 20-30 buyer-intent queries.

The audit includes answer modeling to understand why competitors get cited and a 30-day action plan prioritizing your biggest visibility gaps. The technical package includes schema structure recommendations for LLMs and entity mapping.

Use the Sprint as a proof of concept. You see concrete deliverables fast, test our methodology, and gather baseline data to justify a larger investment to your CFO. The Sprint demonstrates value quickly but doesn't replace ongoing AEO work because citation momentum takes months to build.

The monthly retainer (starts €5,495/mo)

Our monthly retainer delivers complete AEO execution: ongoing audits, daily content by experts, strategic distribution, and authority building. Full retainer details and service inclusions are documented transparently on our site.

We produce 20+ SEO and AEO-optimized articles per month as a baseline, scaling volume based on your competitive intensity and content gaps. Every piece follows the CITABLE framework and targets specific buyer questions where you're currently invisible. We handle strategy, research, writing, technical optimization, and publishing.

We build your authority across platforms through backlink building from relevant industry sites, knowledge graph and entity optimization to strengthen topic relevance, schema implementation across your site, and Reddit marketing using our dedicated account infrastructure.

You receive comprehensive visibility monitoring showing citation rate trends, competitor benchmarking revealing your share of voice versus top rivals, monthly performance reviews analyzing what's working, and technical audits identifying new optimization opportunities. You see exactly where you stand every week.

The retainer includes Reddit marketing as a standard component, with activity volume scaling to your investment level. For companies that handle content creation in-house but need specialized Reddit execution, we offer standalone Reddit services starting at €4,995/month.

Why we offer month-to-month terms

We earn your business every 30 days instead of locking you into 6-12 month contracts. Traditional B2B SaaS SEO agencies require long commitments because they can't show meaningful results faster. We can.

Our month-to-month model works because we deliver early indicators within weeks. You'll see initial citations appear within the first month and measurable citation rate improvements by month two. By month three, AI-referred traffic shows up in your analytics with proper UTM attribution.

This structure reduces your risk significantly. If results stall or our approach isn't the right fit, you're not trapped in a contract bleeding budget while competitors capture AI-driven demand. Calculate your potential ROI to see how this model works with your specific pipeline targets.

Calculating the ROI of AEO

The ROI calculation for AEO comes down to attribution and conversion rate differences between AI-referred traffic and traditional organic search. Here's how to model it for your CFO.

The formula

Start with your current baseline: monthly visitors from organic search, MQL conversion rate from organic traffic, average deal size, and sales cycle length. These are your traditional organic benchmarks.

Now model the AI opportunity. Research shows most B2B buyers use AI in their purchasing process. For B2B companies specifically, conversion rates from LLM referrals run higher than traditional organic search, meaning better qualification and lower acquisition costs on traffic already validated by AI recommendation.

Here's a simplified model. If you currently generate 50 MQLs per month from 2,500 organic visitors (2% conversion), capturing just 20% of the AI search opportunity adds 10-12 qualified MQLs monthly at higher conversion rates. At a 20% close rate and $50,000 average deal value, that's $100,000-$120,000 in additional monthly pipeline.

Subtract your AEO investment (€5,495 or approximately $6,000 USD). The net pipeline impact is $94,000-$114,000 monthly.

Your payback happens in the first month if even one of those deals closes within a typical B2B SaaS sales cycle. One B2B SaaS company grew from 550 to over 2,300 AI-referred trials in four weeks using this approach.

Payback period

Most B2B SaaS companies see measurable pipeline impact within 3-4 months:

• Month 1: Initial citations appear for 5-10 high-priority queries. You establish baseline tracking and identify your biggest competitive gaps. Early AI-referred traffic starts showing in analytics.
• Month 2: Citation rate improves from baseline (typically 5-15%) to 20-30% as content volume accumulates. AI-referred MQLs become measurable in your CRM.
• Month 3: Citation rate reaches 35-45% for core buyer questions. Measurable pipeline impact becomes clear, typically $300K-$600K for companies in the $2M-$10M ARR range.
• Month 4: Sustained 40-50%+ citation rate. AI-referred leads become a predictable pipeline source you can forecast.

The payback calculation at month 4: If your monthly retainer is $6,000 USD and you've invested $24,000 over four months, you need roughly $120,000 in closed revenue to hit a 5:1 return. At a $50,000 average deal size, that's 2.4 closed deals attributable to AI visibility. Use our ROI calculator with your specific metrics to model this precisely.

The advantage compounds beyond month 4. Unlike paid advertising where you rent visibility, AEO builds durable citation authority. This detailed methodology guide explains how we build sustainable citation momentum.

Hidden costs and red flags to avoid

Budget for more than the stated retainer when evaluating AEO agencies. These commonly overlooked expenses add 15-30% to your total cost.

Setup and onboarding fees: Many agencies charge $2,500-$12,000+ upfront for initial audits, strategy development, and technical implementation. Setup fees increase your break-even timeline regardless of the work quality. We include initial audits and strategy in the monthly retainer with no setup fee, reducing your initial cash outlay.

Platform and tool access fees: Agencies that use third-party AEO tools often pass these costs to clients as separate line items of $200-$500 monthly. We built internal technology specifically to avoid passing through tool costs.

Scope creep charges: Demand explicit contract terms specifying content volume, reporting frequency, technical deliverables, and revision policies. Vague statements of work let agencies charge for "out of scope" work that should be included. This guide on AEO alternatives shows what comprehensive service packages should include.

Long-term contract penalties: The biggest red flag is aggressive termination penalties in 12-month contracts. If an agency requires six months' fees to exit early, they're protecting themselves rather than betting on their results. Our month-to-month terms eliminate this risk entirely.

Walk away from agencies that won't show you their AEO methodology before signing, can't provide specific examples of clients cited by ChatGPT or Claude, require 12+ month contracts with no performance clauses, or use vague language about "AI optimization" without explaining technical specifics. Understanding the difference between AEO and traditional SEO helps you identify legitimate specialized work versus repackaged services.

Frequently asked questions

What's included in the €5,495/month retainer?
We deliver 20+ SEO and AEO-optimized articles monthly, comprehensive AI visibility tracking across all platforms, and technical audits with competitor monitoring. The retainer includes schema implementation, Reddit marketing, and authority building through backlinks and entity optimization.

Do you require a long-term contract?
All our retainers are month-to-month with no long-term commitment. You can scale up, down, or pause based on results.

How long until we see AI citations appear?
Initial citations typically appear within 2-4 weeks for 5-10 high-priority queries. You'll see measurable citation rate improvements by month 2 and significant pipeline impact by months 3-4.

What's the difference between your AEO Sprint and monthly retainer?
The Sprint is a one-time €4,995 engagement delivering 10 articles, an AI visibility audit, and a 30-day action plan over 14 days. It's designed for quick impact and proof of concept without ongoing commitment.

Do you charge setup fees?
We include initial audits, strategy development, and technical implementation in the monthly retainer. No separate setup fee required.

How do you track AI-referred traffic?
We implement UTM parameters identifying traffic from AI platforms and integrate with your CRM to track conversions. You receive weekly reports showing citation rates, share of voice, and attributed MQLs and pipeline.

What makes AEO different from traditional SEO?
AEO requires daily content production (20+ pieces/month vs. 4-8 for SEO), technical entity and schema optimization for AI systems, and continuous citation tracking across multiple AI platforms. This specialized work drives the higher conversion rates that AI-referred traffic delivers.

Key terms glossary

Citation rate: The percentage of relevant buyer-intent queries where AI platforms (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews) mention your brand in their generated answers.

Share of voice: Your brand's percentage of total AI mentions within your category compared to competitors, indicating relative visibility in AI-mediated buyer research.

Entity optimization: Technical work that explicitly defines relationships between your brand, products, use cases, and industry concepts using structured data. This helps AI systems understand context and authority.

CITABLE framework: Discovered Labs' proprietary methodology for creating content AI systems can easily quote, verify, and keep current. The seven components are: Clear entity structure, Intent architecture, Third-party validation, Answer grounding, Block structure for RAG, Latest and consistent, Entity schema.

RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation): The technical process AI systems use to search for and synthesize information from multiple sources when generating answers. This requires content structured in 200-400 word blocks.

AI visibility audit: Systematic testing of how your brand and competitors appear across AI platforms for 20-30 buyer-intent queries. The audit reveals citation gaps and competitive positioning.

You can't afford to remain invisible to most B2B buyers using AI while competitors lock in citation advantage. Every month you wait, the gap becomes harder to close.

Request an AI Visibility Audit to see exactly where you and your top competitors appear when prospects ask AI for recommendations. You'll see your citation gaps, competitive positioning, and a prioritised roadmap to close the visibility gap within 14 days. No sales pressure, just transparent data.