AE Competitive Intelligence Report

Traditional search optimization still drives most web traffic. There are roughly 14 billion Google searches every day compared with 37.5 million ChatGPT prompts.

Your existing SEO investment isn’t wasted (it remains the breadwinner), but search is evolving.

Consumers increasingly expect AI assistants to deliver a single, definitive answer. Over 400 million people use ChatGPT every week, and AI Overviews appear in 16% of all Google desktop searches in the U.S. One in ten Americans now turns to generative AI first when looking for information. If your business isn’t cited in AI results, potential customers may never hear about you.

AEO is the practice of optimizing your content and brand to be cited in AI‑generated responses, whether on ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overview or Perplexity.

Unlike SEO, which aims to rank pages in search results, AEO prioritizes discoverability within AI answers, many of which don’t include clickable links.

The more your brand is mentioned across reputable, topic‑relevant sites, the more likely it is to be “the next word” in an AI response.

Winning mentions, even without links, increase the probability of being cited.

AEO isn’t a replacement for SEO; it’s the next chapter.

Smart companies that track LLM visibility are already seeing month‑over‑month growth in traffic from AI platforms.

As a local business, word of mouth and reputation have always been critical. AI answers simply scale that dynamic. When a customer asks, “Who is the best [service] in [city]?” these systems synthesize information from across the web and mention a handful of businesses. If your business isn’t among them, you’re invisible.

With your existing SEO foundation, you’re already ahead. Many AEO tactics overlap with SEO fundamentals like crawlability, high‑quality content and brand mentions. However, AI platforms interpret content differently and often look beyond your website to verify your expertise. That’s where our AE Competitive Intelligence Report comes in.

We ran a report for a client, and that is what he actually said: “Mind Blown.“

Another client said: “Oh my god, I can see exactly what people are typing into Chat… and Chat is mentioning my competitors but not me. Wow.“

The insights and intelligence are game-changing and will affect your website, content strategies, and digital marketing efforts.

Internet marketing has just taken a 180.

Here is a graph for one of my SEO clients. ⇓ It shows you what can be achieved in a pretty short period of time when you blend traditional SEO with AI Search Intelligence.

#1. Visibility Audit

We check whether your business appears in AI answers on ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google AI Overview.

#2. Brand Narrative Analysis

See exactly how you’re being described. Are the AI engines summarising your services accurately? Do they highlight your unique selling points or omit them?

#3 Query Mapping

Discover which questions trigger your presence. We’ll provide the exact prompts that produce mentions so you know where you’re resonating and where you’re absent.

#4 Competitor Benchmarking

Identify the competitors being cited instead of you. Understand why they’re winning those mentions and how you can close the gap.

#5 Actionable Recommendations

Receive a roadmap to improve frequency and relevancy. We’ll suggest ways to increase brand mentions, refine on‑site content, strengthen external citations and structure information so AI models can understand and trust your business. These strategies build on your existing SEO work and evolve it for the AI era.

For a limited time we’re offering the AE Competitive Intelligence Report for $995 (price will be going up). This investment gives you clarity on where you stand in AI search, what competitors are doing, and how to get your business cited more often.

Early adopters are already capitalising on AI visibility and seeing increased traffic and conversions. Don’t let competitors capture this new channel while you rely only on traditional SEO.

Your customers are asking AI tools for recommendations. Let’s make sure the answer includes you. Click below to secure your personalized report.

Together, we’ll ensure your local business stays visible in both traditional search and the AI‑powered future.

SEO Pricing & Value

1. How much should I pay an agency for SEO?

SEO pricing varies depending on the scope of work, the competitiveness of your industry, and the experience level of the agency. For SEO services that actually move the needle, you can expect to pay between $2,500 and $9,500 per month for high-six/low-seven-figure businesses. Comprehensive, one-time SEO audits typically start around $4,500 and can increase based on the depth of analysis.

It’s important to remember: you get what you pay for. Low-cost, production-style SEO often relies on outdated tactics, cookie-cutter strategies, and poor-quality backlinks, none of which deliver long-term results. Real results require a comprehensive, holistic approach that includes on-site optimization, off-site authority building, high-quality content, technical improvements, and ongoing strategy.

When done right, SEO is an investment in long-term visibility, lead generation, and business growth, not a quick fix or a checkbox service.

2. How much does an SEO consultation cost?

Most SEO consultants charge between $175 and $300 per hour for strategy sessions, while full SEO audits can range from $4500 on up, depending on the website’s depth and complexity.

3. Is paying someone to do SEO worth it?

Absolutely – when done right! Effective SEO helps businesses attract high-quality traffic, generate leads, and increase revenue without relying on paid ads. The return on investment (ROI) over the long term often far outweighs the cost.

4. Are SEO consultants worth it?

Yes, if they are experienced and results-driven. A good SEO consultant saves you time, avoids costly mistakes, and implements strategies that actually work, leading to long-term growth.

5. How much should SEO cost for a small business?

For local SEO, $2500–$5500 per month is a common range. More competitive industries or national SEO efforts may require a higher budget for real results.

6. What is a good SEO budget?

A good rule of thumb is to allocate 5-10% of your revenue to marketing, with a portion dedicated to SEO. Your budget should match your business goals, competition, and market size.

7. Is SEO cheaper than Google Ads?

Yes, over the long run. While Google Ads provide immediate traffic, they stop working the moment you stop paying. It can also take a while to dial in effective campaigns. SEO takes time but delivers long-term, sustainable traffic without ongoing ad spend.

DIY vs. Hiring an SEO Expert

8. Can I do SEO on my own?

Yes, but it takes time, effort, and ongoing learning. Basic SEO tasks like optimizing your website, improving page speed, and writing high-quality content can be done in-house, but for competitive rankings, professional expertise is recommended.

9. Can I do SEO for my own business?

Yes, especially for small local businesses. However, SEO is a long-term strategy that requires technical knowledge, content marketing, and link-building skills. Many business owners prefer to hire experts so they can focus on running their business instead.

10. Is SEO a one-time thing?

No, SEO is ongoing. Search engines constantly update their algorithms, and competitors are continually optimizing. Regular content updates, backlink building, and technical improvements are necessary to maintain and improve rankings.

SEO Fundamentals

11. What does SEO stand for?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, which is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher on search engines like Google and attract organic (unpaid) traffic.

12. What are the 4 types of SEO?

On-Page SEO: Optimizing content, keywords, and meta tags.

Off-Page SEO: Building backlinks and brand authority.

Technical SEO: Improving site speed, site structure, mobile-friendliness, and indexing.

Local SEO: Optimizing for Google Business Profile and location-based searches.

13. What are the 4 pillars of SEO?

Content: High-quality, valuable, keyword-focused content.

Tech: Ensuring your site is fast, mobile-friendly, and indexable.

Authority (Backlinks): Earning links from reputable websites.

User Experience (UX): Easy navigation, clear CTAs, and positive engagement signals.

14. What is E.E.A.T.?

E.E.A.T. stands for Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust. Google uses these factors to evaluate content quality, ensuring the most reliable and authoritative pages rank higher. Strong E.E.A.T. signals include expert authorship, quality backlinks, and a trustworthy reputation.

15. What is a backlink?

A backlink is a link from another website to yours. Quality backlinks from authoritative sites improve your domain authority and boost rankings.

16. What is a bad backlink?

A bad backlink comes from spammy, irrelevant, or low-quality sites. Google may penalize websites with too many bad backlinks, reducing rankings.

17. What is the difference between SEO and SEM?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) focuses on organic search rankings.

SEM (Search Engine Marketing) includes paid ads, such as Google Ads.

Both can work together, but SEO provides long-term, sustainable growth and is more of an investment.

SEO Strategy & Effectiveness

18. Why is SEO so expensive?

SEO is a long-term investment requiring expertise, time, and multiple strategies, including content creation, link building, and technical optimization. Unlike ads, SEO provides lasting value and ROI over time.

19. Is SEO worth it for small businesses?

Yes! Local SEO helps small businesses appear in searches, attract local customers, and compete with bigger brands without spending thousands on ads.

20. Why does my business need local SEO?

Local SEO helps businesses rank in Google’s local results and Google Maps. It’s essential for businesses that rely on local customers, such as restaurants, service providers, and brick-and-mortar stores.

21. How can I get good backlinks?

The best backlinks come from authoritative, relevant websites. Here’s how to earn them:

✔ Guest post on reputable, industry-relevant blogs
✔ Create high-value content others want to reference (guides, research, case studies)
✔ Get featured in online directories and industry sites
✔ Earn press mentions and citations
✔ Participate in community discussions and forums

22. What are the most important Google ranking factors?

Some key ranking factors include:

• High-quality content (valuable, relevant, engaging)
• Backlinks from authoritative sites
• Mobile-friendliness and fast-loading speeds
• User experience (UX) and engagement signals
• Local SEO factors like Google Business Profile

23. How do I measure the success of SEO?

SEO success is measured by:

• Increased organic traffic
• Higher keyword rankings
• More keyword phrases ranking
• More leads and conversions
• Better quality leads
• Improved domain authority
• Better user engagement (lower bounce rate, longer session times)
• Revenue growth

24. How long does SEO take to work?

SEO takes time, usually 3-6 months for noticeable improvements and 6-12 months for strong rankings. The timeline depends on competition, industry, and strategy.

Advanced SEO & Future Trends

25. What is the 80/20 rule for SEO?

The 80/20 rule states that 20% of your SEO efforts generate 80% of the results. Focus on high-impact activities like generating high-quality content, fixing technical issues, and earning strong backlinks.

26. What is the 10x rule in SEO?

The 10x rule means creating content that is 10 times better than what currently ranks for a keyword. It focuses on unique insights, in-depth analysis, and superior user experience to dominate search rankings.

27. Is SEO dying?

No. SEO is evolving (and fast!). With AI-driven search, voice search, and new ranking factors, SEO is more dynamic than ever. Adapting to these changes keeps businesses competitive.

28. How is AI affecting SEO?

AI is changing search by:

• Powering AI search algorithm results (Google SGE and ChatGPT-like responses)
• Enhancing personalized search experiences
• Automating content generation and optimization
• Focusing on user intent and engagement

29. What does the future of SEO look like in 2025?

SEO in 2025 is evolving with:

• AI-driven search results (Google SGE, ChatGPT-like responses)
• Voice search optimization (natural language queries)
• Search Everywhere Optimization (SEO is now across AI, social, and search engines)
• User experience as a ranking factor (Google prioritizes engagement signals)
• E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust) as a critical ranking factor

30. What are common SEO mistakes to avoid?

Along with poor site structure, the following items can significantly reduce your SEO campaign’s ROI:

❌ Keyword stuffing: Overusing keywords unnaturally

❌ Ignoring mobile-friendliness: Google prioritizes mobile-first indexing

❌ Skipping technical SEO: Slow sites hurt rankings

❌ Buying spammy backlinks: Can lead to penalties

❌ Ignoring local SEO: If you’re a local business, optimize for your service area/location

Want to see if SEO is a good fit for your business? Scroll up ⬆️ to schedule a quick call.