Last Updated: December 17, 2025
Methodology
We researched the cost of generative engine optimization by scouring data from across the web.
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How much does GEO cost?
GEO pricing varies widely depending on the approach—DIY tools and AI visibility tracking software typically cost $10–$1,000+ per month, while agency services range from $1,500 to $50,000+ per month based on business size and strategy complexity. -
What is generative engine optimization (GEO)?
GEO, also called AI search optimization, is a digital marketing strategy that optimizes websites and content to appear in generative AI results on platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google’s AI Overviews. -
How much do AI visibility tracking tools cost?
AI visibility tracking software—essential for understanding how AI tools reference your brand—costs $50–$1,000+ per month, with specific platforms like Semrush ($165.17–$455.67/month) and Surfer SEO ($79–$999+/month) offering various pricing tiers. -
What factors influence GEO pricing?
Key cost factors include strategy scope (website size, goals, number of pages), whether you manage in-house or partner with an agency, the tools and software you use, and your industry’s specific requirements and complexity. -
Is agency partnership more cost-effective than in-house management?
Partnering with an agency is usually more cost-effective than in-house management—hiring multiple GEO experts costs around $50,000+ per year each plus software expenses, while agencies provide entire teams and technology at lower annual costs starting around $18,000 per year.
Generative engine optimization (GEO) pricing can vary widely, with DIY tools and AI visibility tracking software usually costing $10 – $1,000+ per month and agency services costing anywhere from $1,500 to $50,000+ per month. Your costs can depend on several factors, like the size of your business and website, the tools or agency you choose, the scope of your strategy needs, your industry, and more! Keep reading to learn more about the costs of generative engine optimization and the prices you can expect!
GEO, also sometimes called AI search optimization, is a crucial strategy for businesses seeking to enhance their visibility on AI platforms and tools, such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and others.
So, what is the cost of GEO, and how much can you expect to invest for your business? Well, we’ve got all the answers covered here, so just keep reading!
How much does GEO cost?
From DIY tools and tracking software to partnering with an agency to linking up with a consultant, there are many different ways you can implement a GEO strategy, and each has its own costs.
DIY tools and software
You may opt to invest in third-party tools or software to help if you’re managing your GEO strategy in-house. On average, these tools can cost anywhere from $10 – $250+ per month, with some tools even being free.
Let’s break these tool costs down:
- Basic AI writing and AI SEO tools: Free, or $10 – $50 per month
- Advanced AI, SEO, tools: $60 – $250+ per month
- Custom enterprise software: Usually requires custom pricing due to the need for deep integrations and a more complex set up and use
AI visibility tracking software
When it comes to implementing an optimization strategy for AI search, AI visibility tracking software is essential. You need to understand how LLMs and AI tools talk about your brand and what type of searches and chats you’re appearing in to know where to grow.
AI visibility tracking software can cost anywhere from $50 to $1,000+ per month.
Let’s take a look at some specific tools and their costs:
- Semrush: $165.17 – $455.67 per month
- Profound: $99 – $399+ per month
- Surfer SEO: $79 to $999+ per month
- AirOps: Custom pricing depending on your needs
Agency services and monthly retainers
If you don’t have an in-house team or the resources to manage your GEO strategy in-house, partnering with an experienced agency full of dedicated experts can be a huge help. In 2026, partnering with an AI search optimization agency can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $50,000+ per month.
Lots of factors can influence AI search optimization costs from an agency, like the size of your business, the chosen company you decide to work with, the scope of your strategy and goals, and more!
Let’s break these costs down by business size and strategy scope:
- Small businesses (basic strategy): $1,500 – $5,000 per month
- Medium-sized businesses (advanced strategies): $5,000 to $25,000+ per month
- Enterprise businesses (complex strategies): $25,000 – $50,000+ per month
Hourly and project-based costs
If you’re in need of an hourly consultant to provide advice on your strategy or want to hire a team of experts for a one-off project, you’re probably wondering about hourly and project-based costs. Projects can include things like audits, migrations, or specific optimizations or overhauls.
- Project-based: $5,000 to $50,000 per project
- Hourly: $50 – $300 per hour
GEO cost factors
Like we mentioned above, generative engine optimization pricing can vary widely, and the costs you’ll encounter will depend on lots of different factors.
To help you understand what can influence the cost of GEO, we summarized the largest cost factors below:
- Strategy scope: The size of your website, your unique goals, and the number of pages you want to create or optimize can all influence the scope of your strategy, and the larger and more complex the strategy, the higher the cost.
- In-house management: Hiring a team of GEO experts and investing in third-party tools and platforms will incur extra costs.
- Agency partnership: Your chosen agency and their pricing packages will determine your overall costs for your strategy.
- Tools and software: The tools and platforms you use to help with your strategy, from creating and optimizing content to tracking your results, can incur extra costs.
An Inside Look at WebFX GEO Pricing
📈 Real-time LLM monitoring and tracking with in-house software Learn why companies choose to partner with WebFX for their AI search optimization needs:
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Highlights
🔎 In-depth competitor researching and benchmarking
🎯Diverse targeting
🖥️ Data-backed AI search optimizations
📊 Performance tracking
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GEO pricing FAQs
Get answers to FAQs about GEO costs now:
What is GEO?
GEO stands for generative engine optimization. It’s a digital marketing strategy that involves optimizing your website and content to appear in generative AI results. It helps boost your visibility on platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google’s AI Overviews.
How much does GEO cost?
On average, GEO costs anywhere from $1,500 to $50,000+ per month. Factors like the size of your business, industry, chosen tools or tracking software, and whether you choose to partner with an agency or manage your strategy in-house can all impact how much you’ll much spend.
Is it more cost-effective to manage your GEO strategy in-house or partner with an agency?
While it can depend on your company’s unique needs and goals, it’s usually more cost-effective to partner with an experienced to manage your GEO strategy.
Managing your strategy in-house requires hiring multiple GEO experts, with average annual salaries of $50,000 per year. Plus, you’ll also need to invest in software and tools so that your team can effectively launch optimizations and track results.
Partnering with an agency can allow you to pay a much lower annual cost while giving you an entire team of dedicated GEO experts, in-house software and technology, and much more.
Launch your GEO strategy with WebFX
At WebFX, we offer completely custom and personalized GEO services tailored to your company’s needs, goals, industry, and target market, giving you access to a strategy made just for your business.
We’ll implement data-backed strategies powered by our state-of-the-art AI visibility tracking platform that are designed to maximize your visibility and revenue.
Learn about our pricing and how we can help your business grow in the AI space by requesting your free proposal today!
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Abby is a Digital Marketing Analyst at WebFX, where she implements, optimizes, and tracks SEO and digital marketing strategies that are powered by data for WebFX. With certifications in SEO, Local SEO, and Google Analytics, Abby has implemented hundreds of optimizations and led strategies and initiatives that have helped WebFX improve online visibility, traffic, and leads. Before her time as a Digital Marketing Analyst, Abby was an innovative content writer who created content for WebFX clients in various industries and for WebFX’s own blog and website. When she’s not implementing strategies and optimizations that drive leads and revenue, you’ll find her walking her dog, travelling around Europe, or watching her favorite reality TV show. -
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