How Much Does AI Search Optimization Cost in 2025?

AI search optimization, also known as generative engine optimization (GEO), 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 AI search optimization, 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 AI search optimization 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 an AI search optimization 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 AI search optimization 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 AI search optimization strategy in-house, partnering with an experienced agency full of dedicated experts can be a huge help. In 2025, 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

AI search optimization cost factors

Like we mentioned above, AI search 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 AI search optimization, 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 AI 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. 

Start optimizing for AI search with WebFX

At WebFX, we offer completely custom and personalized AI search optimization 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!