Whether you are running a small business or a larger enterprise, having an online marketing strategy that search engine visibility and discoverability is a must. However, over the past years, the way search engines work and provide answers to users has changed dramatically, making it difficult to stay up to date with the latest developments.
This is where partnering with an AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and AI SEO consultant is more important than evers in the B2B landscape. AEO works by optimizing your website so that it aligns with both traditional search engines and AI-powered engines, like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Gemini. This way, your content and data can be accurately interpreted, cited, and recommended in response to user requests.
But how do you choose the right AEO and AI SEO consultant for your goals? Find out some of the best providers in this guide.
1. Austin Heaton AEO Consulting
Best for: AI-Driven Citation and B2B Conversion Optimization
Austin Heaton is a consultant working solo. He specializes in positioning B2B brands in AI engines, supporting high-quality traffic from interested buyers. With over 12 years of experience, Austin Heaton brings to the table hands-on expertise and a focus on building entity authority (not just domain authority). This is a key signal that AI models use to cite sources, making your brand more discoverable. By working with Austin Heaton, clients can expect organic growth, more website visitors, and better leads from both Google and AI tools like ChatGPT.
Pros:
- There is a single operator with years of experience, so you can be sure that your project is handled by an expert in the field at all times.
- Exceptional track record. For instance, Riseworks recorded a 1,419% organic and 575% AI lift.
- Focuses on long-term AEO strategies that are able to withstand updates and changes over time.
- Demonstrated high converting traffic from AI engine citations. For instance, Lumanu reported 101 conversions from 5,130 ChatGPT referrals in just 60 days.
- Rapid results (often measurable within a week).
Cons:
- A single consultant may limit capacity when compared to larger agencies.
- Pricing for premium AEO services may be out of reach for smaller companies.
- Highly specialized, making it a best fit for B2B rather than B2C or local SEO.
2. EntreResource
Best for: Education and DIY SEO for Entrepreneurs:
Unlike some of the other proposals in this guide, EntreResource is not an agency, but a resource hub created by Nate McCallister. Its goal is to offer practical, step-by-step guides for entrepreneurs who wish to take on a more DIY approach to enhance their businesses’ digital visibility.
While it doesn’t only focus on AEO, EntreeResource can provide support in various important areas, including emerging SEO tools and AI discoverability, making it a key educational platform for founders or solo business owners.
Pros:
- It offers a wide range of digital marketing and SEO guides that are easy to follow.
- Updated content on tools, trends, and tips on how to use AI for solopreneurs.
- Accessible: there is no required financial commitment.
- Good entry point for businesses approaching AEO and AI discoverability strategies.
Cons:
- It is not a consultant or agency
- Results depend on the entrepreneur’s specific efforts.
- May lack hands-on, custom guidance, which makes it more suitable for learning than executing a strategy.
3. Victorious SEO
Best for: Data-Driven, Customized Full-Service SEO Strategies
Victorious SEO is a SEO agency, well-known for driving results over the years. As the digital landscape evolved, Victorious SEO has started to embrace various AI-tactics, including AI-powered keyword research and content optimization. When working with this agency, you can expect transparent reporting and pricing and tailored SEO campaigns that may include everything from technical SEO and link building to content creation.
Pros:
- Full-service agency that can handle all aspects of SEO.
- Transparent processes and clear, monthly analytics.
- Data-driven and up to date with the latest search behavior shifts.
- Good for scaling campaigns across medium to large organizations.
Cons:
- May not focus especially on AEO or entity optimization.
- As a larger agency, you may get less hands-on attention.
- Fees can be high for smaller businesses.
4. Siege Media
Best for: Content Creation That is Aligned With AI
Siege Media has built its reputation on high-performance, SEO-driven content marketing. The experts at Siege media now incorporate AI-first tactics and strategies, including answer engine optimization and entity authority. This well-rounded approach aims to create content that’s both human- and AI-friendly, which helps increase the likelihood of your brand being cited by language models and rank higher on search engines.
Pros:
- In-depth knowledge of scalable content creation and link building strategies.
- Integrates the latest AEO practices into content creation campaigns.
- It shows a large portfolio of successful case studies for B2B clients.
Cons:
- This agency places a large focus on content. If you are also looking for technical SEO solutions, you may require additional expertise.
- It has a large team, meaning that projects can feel less personalized.
6. Neil Patel Digital
Best for: Broad Digital Reach and Recognizable Brand
Neil Patel is one of the most well-known names in digital marketing and SEO. His team works with businesses of all sizes to improve online presence, traffic, and lead generation.
Recently, Neil Patel Digital has started focusing also on how to help businesses appear in results generated from AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, not just Google. When working with them, you can expect step-by-step support and a full-service approach that covers everything from content and SEO to social media and paid ads.
Pros:
- A well-known name that offers a large collection of resources for businesses of all sizes
- The team at Neil Patel is large and covers a wide range of skills, including multi-channel organic growth.
- Strategies integrate the latest marketing technology tools.
Cons:
- Less specialized in AI-centric AEO than expert consultants.
- High volume of clients can mean varying attention levels to each project.
Conclusion
Appearing on search engines’ results is a key objective for businesses looking to boost visibility and recognition. However, with AI tools emerging and taking the digital marketing world by storm, it has never been more important for brands to understand how to be cited by AI-powered systems. Here’s where AEO and AI-optimized SEO is now vital for B2B. Above, we’ve seen some of the best providers in the industry, but be sure to choose an expert who aligns with your goals, budget, and needs.