Best LLM SEO Agency in 2026: Who’s Actually Delivering Results in AI Search

ChatGPT is answering your customers’ questions right now.

So is Perplexity. So is Google AI Overviews. So is Gemini.

And if your brand isn’t showing up in those AI-generated answers?

You’re invisible to a chunk of your market that keeps growing every single month.

Finding the best LLM SEO agency isn’t easy. Every digital marketing firm with a website and a Wi-Fi connection is suddenly calling themselves an “AI SEO expert.” Most of them are just repackaging old tactics with new buzzwords.

This list cuts through that.

We ranked the best ai seo agencies based on actual methodology, real client outcomes, and genuine expertise in how AI search works — not just who has the shiniest service page.

Here’s what this guide covers:

• The #1 pick for best AI SEO agency in 2026 — and why it’s not a big agency
• Top ai seo agencies delivering real results
• What separates real LLM optimization from recycled tactics
• Key factors to look for when evaluating ai seo agencies
• Red flags that signal an agency doesn’t actually understand AI search
• How to measure ROI from ai search visibility

Let’s get into it.

Quick Comparison: Top AI SEO Agencies in 2026

What Is LLM SEO? (Quick Primer)

Before we get into LLM ranking factors, let’s be clear on what we’re actually evaluating.

LLM SEO — Large Language Model Search Engine Optimization — is the practice of optimizing your content so AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews can find it, understand it, and cite it in their responses.

Traditional SEO gets you ranked in search engine results pages.

LLM SEO gets you recommended by AI.

That’s a different game entirely.

AI search engines don’t show ten blue links. They synthesize one answer from a handful of trusted sources. If you’re not one of those sources, you don’t exist to that user.

And the shift is accelerating. AI search is on track to overtake traditional organic search by 2028. The brands building AI search optimization strategies now are locking in authority before competitors even realize the game has changed.

How We Ranked These AI SEO Agencies

Not every agency calling itself an AI SEO specialist has earned that title.

We evaluated each firm on:

• Proven methodology for LLM optimization — not just rebranded traditional SEO
• Track record of real results with real clients
• Understanding of how AI models actually retrieve and cite content
• Ability to measure ai visibility, not just keyword rankings
• Transparency around what they do and don’t do

With that said, here’s who made the cut.

#1 Best LLM SEO Agency: Brandon Leuangpaseuth, LLC

Let’s start with the agency we know best–my own.

Who Is Brandon Leuangpaseuth?

Hi, I’m Brandon Leuangpaseuth. Pleasure to meet. I’m an LLM SEO and growth marketer who has worked with multi-million dollar companies, Y Combinator-backed startups, and high-growth B2B SaaS brands.

My clients include companies like Keeper Tax and EasyLlama — names that have been through YC and needed digital marketing that actually moves the needle, not just a content calendar and a monthly report.

I am also the author of a first-page-ranking local SEO book (seriously, Google it) and has been published in major marketing outlets including CXL, Clearscope, and Grow & Convert.

And unlike the agencies below, I run every campaign myself.

No account managers. No junior SEOs doing the actual work while a senior strategist takes the credit. You get a growth marketer with direct, hands-on campaign experience who’s spent years working in the trenches at fast-moving companies.

That’s the difference with my LLM SEO agency.

Why Yours Truly Is the Best AI SEO Agency for B2B SaaS, YC Startups, or ANY Business

Most agencies hand you off.

You do a few intro calls, sign the contract, and then spend six months emailing a project manager who forwards your questions to someone you’ve never spoken to.

That’s not how I operate.

When you hire me for LLM optimization, you get Brandon. My thinking, my strategy, my eyes on your campaigns — every single week.

For B2B SaaS companies and YC-backed startups, that matters. These are fast-moving businesses that need campaigns built around their actual growth goals. Not cookie-cutter SEO deliverables designed to look good on a monthly report.

I bring the same growth marketing mindset I applied inside high-growth startups directly to your AI search optimization strategy.

Learn more here.

A Proven Track Record in Competitive SEO

My track record spans LLM SEO, traditional SEO, and content strategy across a range of B2B and SaaS brands.

At Keeper Tax, a Y Combinator-backed startup, I drove significant organic traffic growth in a highly competitive financial services space.

At EasyLlama, a workplace compliance SaaS, I built an SEO content strategy that produced measurable increases in both traffic and conversions.

My work has been featured in CXL — one of the most rigorous marketing publications in the industry — as well as Clearscope (check it out here) and Grow & Convert, which is itself one of the agencies on this list.

That’s not something you typically see from an agency. That’s the profile of someone who has done the actual work at the highest levels.

What I Actually Do Differently

Here’s what sets my approach to AI SEO apart:

• Personalized campaigns, not templated deliverables. Every LLM SEO strategy is built around your specific niche, your target buyer, and how they actually search in AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews.
• Growth marketer mindset, not just SEO. My approache to AI search optimization is the way a growth marketer approaches a funnel — with conversion outcomes in mind, not just traffic metrics. The goal is pipeline, not page rankings.
• LLM-first content strategy. My approach covers the full stack of what it takes to show up in AI-generated answers: entity optimization, structured content, digital PR for AI citations, tactical LLM seeding, brand mentions across authoritative sources, and on-page LLM SEO that gives large language models exactly what they need to cite your content.
• Direct access. You talk to the strategist running your campaigns — every time.

I leverage a long list of SEO growth hacks to drive explosive results for my clients.

Who I’m Is Best For

I’m the right choice if you’re a:

• B2B SaaS company that needs AI search visibility tied to actual growth outcomes
• Y Combinator-backed startup with a lean team that needs a senior LLM SEO strategist, not an agency account team
• High-growth brand that’s already doing SEO but isn’t showing up in AI-generated answers despite ranking well on Google
• Marketing leader who wants full strategic ownership of your ai seo strategy from someone who’s been in the room at multi-million dollar companies

By the way, I also offer JV SEO partnerships to a select few. Apply and see if you fit.

Key Strengths

• Direct-access growth marketer with no hand-offs
• Deep experience with YC-backed startups and multi-million dollar SaaS companies
• Full-funnel LLM optimization approach covering technical SEO, content strategy, SEO automated content, entity building, and digital PR
• Published thought leader in top-tier marketing outlets including CXL, Clearscope, and Grow & Convert
• Author of a first-page-ranking SEO book
• Proven track record at Keeper Tax, EasyLlama, and other high-growth B2B brands

Best for: B2B SaaS companies, YC-backed startups, and growth-focused brands that want personalized AI search optimization from a senior growth marketer — not a junior SEO buried inside a large agency.

Website: brandonleuangpaseuth.com

Apply here: brandonleuangpaseuth.com/apply

Check out my SEO growth marketing blog, and see if my strategies resonate with you.

See you at the top.

#2 Siege Media

Siege Media has been in the SEO game for over a decade.

They specialize in content-led SEO and digital pr for SaaS and e-commerce brands. In the LLM era, their approach has evolved toward generative engine optimization — building content that earns citations in AI-generated answers, not just traditional search engine rankings.

Their proprietary BlueprintIQ tool audits content against live ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity results to identify topical gaps and entity relationship issues.

Their track record is solid. Notable client outcomes include an 852% increase in organic traffic for Zapier and over 1,100 high-quality links for Zoom.

Why They Made the List

Content quality is the single most important factor in ai search optimization.

AI models reward depth, originality, and data-backed authority. Siege produces that at scale for enterprise clients. They also understand how digital pr feeds AI citations — getting your brand mentioned in high-authority publications creates exactly the kind of signal saturation that large language models look for.

Key Strengths

• 13+ years of content-led SEO with proven enterprise results
• BlueprintIQ tool audits content against live AI search results
• Strong digital PR capabilities that build citation-worthy authority
• Inc. 5000 recognized six consecutive times

Notable clients: Zapier, Zoom, Figma, Instacart, Zendesk

Best for: Enterprise SaaS and e-commerce brands that need high-volume, research-backed content as a competitive moat in both traditional search and AI search.

#3 Grow & Convert

Grow & Convert built their reputation on one contrarian idea: stop writing top-of-funnel content and focus on the searches buyers actually use when they’re ready to buy.

Their Pain Point SEO methodology targets bottom-of-funnel keywords — the searches your ideal customer makes right before they pull out a credit card.

In the LLM SEO space, they applied the same rigor. They analyzed over 400 keywords across 16 clients and built their own AI tracking tool, Traqer.ai, to separate proven LLM optimization tactics from hype.

The result was their Prioritized GEO framework — a ranked hierarchy of what actually moves the needle in ai search visibility versus what agencies sell as premium services but doesn’t work.

Why They Made the List

Grow & Convert will tell you what doesn’t work.

That’s rare in this industry. Their data-backed skepticism about trendy LLM SEO tactics makes their actual recommendations far more trustworthy. And their bottom-of-funnel content focus aligns naturally with what AI models prioritize — thorough, specific, intent-matching answers.

They’re also one of the few AI SEO agencies that ties content strategy directly to revenue, not just traffic. I’ve worked with Benji and Devesh myself and I can tell you they know their stuff.

Key Strengths

• Prioritized GEO framework backed by original research on 400+ keywords
• Built Traqer.ai, their own ai tracking tool for measuring AI citations
• Pain Point SEO methodology drives conversions, not just impressions
• Transparent, data-first approach with a proven track record in B2B SaaS

Best for: B2B and SaaS brands that want a conversion-focused, research-backed approach to AI search optimization — not just more content for the sake of content.

#4 Go Fish Digital

Go Fish Digital takes a data science approach to digital marketing that most ai seo agencies simply can’t match.

They’ve built proprietary tools including Barracuda — an AI platform that powers insight and coordination across the full marketing funnel. Their biggest differentiator is digital pr infrastructure.

High-authority media placements feed AI training data. If a large language model sees your brand mentioned across Forbes, industry publications, and authoritative directories, it’s far more likely to cite you in ai-generated answers.

That’s the link most ai seo agencies miss. Go Fish gets it.

Why They Made the List

Their integrated approach — connecting technical seo, digital pr, and GEO — is exactly what ai search optimization requires at the enterprise level.

Strong media presence isn’t just good for brand visibility. It directly influences how AI models perceive authority. Go Fish builds that authority systematically.

Key Strengths

• Proprietary Barracuda AI platform for data-driven marketing intelligence
• Industry-leading digital pr that builds authority signals AI models rely on
• Integrated approach connecting technical seo, SEO, GEO, paid media, and creative
• Proven track record with major enterprise brands

Notable clients: Uber, Lowe’s, LegalZoom, Airbnb, GEICO

Best for: Mid-market to enterprise brands that need strong media presence and digital pr alongside AI search visibility — especially in e-commerce, travel, and finance.

#5 Neil Patel Digital

Neil Patel Digital is one of the most recognized names in search engine optimization globally.

They offer broad-scale digital marketing services including content strategy, technical seo, paid media, and more recently, generative engine optimization. Their scale and name recognition give them access to partnerships and publisher relationships most agencies can’t touch.

Why They Made the List

For large enterprise brands that need a recognized partner with global reach, Neil Patel Digital has the infrastructure and the industry relationships to support complex, multi-market ai search strategies.

They’re not specialists in LLM optimization the way some of the smaller, more focused agencies are. But for enterprise brands that need a full-service digital marketing partner with SEO at its core, they belong in the conversation.

Key Strengths

• Global scale and recognized industry authority
• Broad digital marketing capabilities spanning SEO, content, and paid media
• Extensive publisher network that supports digital pr for AI citations
• Strong track record with large enterprise brands across multiple industries

Best for: Large enterprise brands needing a full-service digital marketing partner with significant SEO scale.

#6 First Page Sage

First Page Sage has been in SEO since 2009.

Their approach to generative engine optimization combines thought leadership content with technical SEO and conversion optimization. First Page Sage publishes proprietary data on SEO ROI benchmarks, ChatGPT conversion rates, and agentic AI statistics — exactly the kind of original research that large language models prioritize when selecting sources to cite.

First Page Sage positions itself as a long-term demand generation partner rather than a short-term traffic play.

Why They Made the List

First Page Sage understands something critical about AI search optimization: original data gets cited. Their commitment to original research across SEO ROI benchmarks and AI search statistics builds the kind of topical authority that earns ongoing LLM citations.

That’s a smart play for professional services and B2B brands where trust and expertise are the real differentiators.

Key Strengths

• Thought leadership content strategy built for the authority AI models reward
• Extensive original research and proprietary data that earns AI citations naturally
• Strong track record in B2B lead generation focused on low-cost acquisition
• GEO services covering ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews

Notable clients: Salesforce, SoFi, Credit Karma, ZipRecruiter

Best for: B2B professional services firms and SaaS brands that want SEO as a long-term demand generation channel — with ai search optimization built in.

Key Factors When Evaluating AI SEO Agencies

Finding the best ai seo agency isn’t just about who has the biggest portfolio or the most impressive client names.

The difference between an agency that delivers real generative engine optimization and one that’s riding the hype wave comes down to a handful of critical factors.

Here’s what to look for.

Do They Understand Both Traditional SEO and AI Search?

The best ai seo agencies don’t abandon traditional search engine optimization.

They build on it.

There’s a direct correlation between ranking on page one of Google and showing up in AI-generated answers. That’s because most AI platforms — including Perplexity and ChatGPT — use Google or Google-equivalent search engines to retrieve live information.

If an agency treats ai seo and traditional seo as completely separate disciplines, that’s a red flag. They probably don’t understand how AI systems actually retrieve information.

Ask this: “How does your ai seo strategy connect traditional search rankings to AI visibility?”

The right answer should reference how LLMs perform live web searches — called “grounding” — to pull current information. Your owned content ranking well on Google is still the foundation of AI search optimization.

Is Their Content Process Human-Led?

Here’s the thing about AI-generated content: it’s actually terrible for ai seo.

Large language models are trained on massive amounts of existing text. When your content sounds like everything else on the internet, AI models have no reason to cite it. They’re looking for original information, genuine expertise, and data that can’t be found anywhere else.

The best ai seo services prioritize:

• Original research, case studies, and proprietary data
• Expert perspectives that add genuine information gain
• Content that passes E-E-A-T signals — Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trust

If an agency is mass-producing AI content and calling it an LLM optimization strategy, walk away.

Do They Think in Entities, Not Just Keywords?

Traditional SEO services focused heavily on keyword research and backlinks.

Those still matter. But the AI seo agencies worth hiring in 2026 think in terms of entities and semantic relationships.

They should be talking about:

• Entity optimization and knowledge graph alignment
• Structured data implementation using Schema.org markup
• Topical clusters that build authority across related subjects
• Technical optimization for AI crawler accessibility
• How your brand appears consistently across authoritative sources

If their pitch is all keywords and backlinks with a thin LLM layer on top, that’s traditional seo dressed up for 2026.

Can They Measure What Actually Matters?

Ask any agency how they measure AI visibility.

If their answer is limited to rankings and organic traffic, find someone else.

The best agencies track metrics across multiple AI platforms including:

• Citation frequency — how often your brand appears in AI answers
• Share of model — your percentage of relevant AI-generated responses vs. competitors
• Brand sentiment in AI answers — not just if you’re mentioned, but how
• Referral traffic from AI platforms like chatgpt.com and perplexity.ai
• Conversion rates from AI-driven traffic

LLM visitors convert at dramatically higher rates than traditional organic traffic — some data puts it at 4x the rate of standard organic search. That’s the metric that changes how you think about ai search optimization investment.

Red Flags That Signal Repackaged Tactics

The explosion of AI SEO agencies in 2026 has created a predictable problem.

Dozens of traditional SEO firms are rebranding their existing services without actually changing their methodology. Here’s how to spot them.

They Lead With Gimmick Tactics

If an agency’s pitch revolves around adding llms.txt files, rewriting every heading as a question, or dropping FAQ sections on every page — that’s not an AI search strategy.

Those are surface-level on-page tweaks. The lowest priority in a sound LLM optimization approach. Research from Grow & Convert’s analysis of 400+ keywords shows these tactics have little to no measurable impact on AI visibility when used in isolation.

They Can’t Explain How AI Models Actually Retrieve Information

Any agency selling generative engine optimization geo services should be able to explain — clearly — how AI models retrieve and cite content.

Ask them:

• What’s the difference between training data and live retrieval (RAG)?
• How does query fan-out work — how AI breaks one question into multiple sub-queries?
• Why do traditional search engines and AI platforms sometimes cite different sources?

If they stumble on any of these, they have a traditional seo background with a fresh coat of AI paint.

They Rely Entirely on AI to Generate Content

Mass-producing AI-generated blog posts and calling it content marketing is feeding copies of copies back into the system.

AI models are getting better at recognizing and deprioritizing this kind of content every single day.

Real LLM optimization requires a human-led content process. AI can assist with research and outlines. It can’t replace the actual expertise and original insights that make content worth citing.

They Can’t Show AI-Specific Results

Vague promises like “improved AI visibility” mean nothing without baselines and specifics.

Before hiring any ai seo agency, ask:

• Which AI platforms are you tracking? ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Google AI Overviews?
• What tools do you use to measure citation frequency?
• Can you show before-and-after data from clients specifically tied to AI search?

No AI visibility metrics. No deal.

How to Measure ROI From AI Search Optimization

Most businesses get stuck here.

Traditional search gave us a clean hierarchy: rankings, traffic, conversions. AI search operates differently — and the measurement framework has to match.

Why Traditional Metrics Tell Only Half the Story

You can rank #1 organically and still be completely absent from ai-generated answers.

Meanwhile, a site ranking #5 might be heavily cited in AI search results and pulling in high-intent traffic that your analytics can barely attribute.

Gartner predicts traditional search volume will drop 25% by 2026. Zero-click searches already make up nearly 60% of all Google queries. If you’re still measuring purely through clicks, you’re measuring a shrinking piece of the pie.

The Metrics That Actually Matter for AI Search Visibility

When evaluating AI search optimization performance, you need a new set of KPIs:

• Citation Frequency. How often your brand is cited across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Google AI Overviews. LLMs typically cite only 2–7 sources per response. Getting into that window is what all of this is working toward.
• Share of Model. What percentage of relevant AI-generated responses mention your brand vs. competitors. Think of it as share of voice — but for AI search engines.
• Brand Visibility Score. How consistently your brand appears across a monitored set of prompts, filtered by topic, AI platform, and geography.
• AI Referral Traffic. Direct visits from chatgpt.com, perplexity.ai, claude.ai, and other AI platforms. Visible in your analytics as referral traffic.
• Sentiment Analysis. Not just whether you’re mentioned — but how. Are AI models recommending you positively, or just listing you alongside twelve other options?
• Assisted Conversion Value. AI-driven visitors are often pre-qualified. Research shows LLM visitors convert at 4x+ the rate of traditional organic search visitors. Don’t let this traffic go unmeasured.

Building a Simple AI Visibility Measurement Framework

You don’t need a six-figure analytics stack to start tracking ai search performance.

Here’s a practical approach:

• Step 1. Build a prompt library of 20–50 questions your ideal customers would ask AI tools. Pull these from sales calls, support tickets, and existing keyword research.
• Step 2. Run these prompts weekly across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews. Document whether your brand appears, in what position, and whether citations include links.
• Step 3. Set up referral tracking in GA4 for AI platforms. Look for chatgpt.com, perplexity.ai, and related sources in your traffic reports.
• Step 4. Connect AI referral data to your CRM to track how these visitors move through the funnel and become qualified leads.

Tools to Track AI Visibility

The tooling landscape is evolving fast. Here are a few options:

• Traqer.ai (Grow & Convert): Monitors AI citations focused on bottom-of-funnel visibility
• Semrush AI Visibility Toolkit: Bolts ai visibility tracking onto your existing Semrush setup
• Peec AI: Affordable entry point for teams new to measuring ai search results
• Goodie (NoGood): Real-time ai visibility and sentiment tracking across multiple AI platforms
• Profound: Built specifically to measure brand appearances in ai-generated answers

Frequently Asked Questions About LLM SEO Agencies

What makes an LLM SEO agency different from a traditional SEO agency?

Traditional SEO agencies optimize for search engine results pages — Google rankings, organic traffic, backlinks.

LLM SEO agencies optimize for AI-generated answers — getting your brand cited in ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews.

The methodology is fundamentally different. AI search engines don’t rank pages the way Google does. They evaluate entities, semantic relationships, and content authority to decide who to recommend. That requires a different approach to technical seo, content strategy, digital pr, and brand building.

Is LLM SEO right for B2B SaaS companies?

Absolutely — and honestly, B2B SaaS companies have the most to gain right now.

B2B buyers increasingly start their research with AI tools. They’re asking ChatGPT to compare software, asking Perplexity to recommend agencies, asking Google AI Overviews to explain solutions to their specific problems.

If your brand shows up in those answers, you’re in front of a pre-qualified buyer who’s already in research mode. The conversion rates from AI-driven traffic reflect that.

The best ai seo agencies for B2B SaaS understand both the technical side of LLM optimization and the buyer psychology of B2B purchasing decisions.

How long does it take to see results from AI search optimization?

Faster than you might think — but it depends on your starting point.

If you already rank well on Google, you may start appearing in AI-generated answers within weeks of making targeted LLM optimization improvements. That’s because most AI platforms use Google-equivalent search engines to retrieve live information.

If you’re starting from scratch, building the entity authority, structured content, and digital pr footprint that AI models look for takes months, not weeks.

Track your progress using the metrics above — citation frequency, AI referral traffic, share of model — not just rankings.

How do I know if an AI SEO agency is actually qualified?

Ask them to explain their LLM optimization methodology specifically.

Red flags: vague answers about “AI-optimized content,” heavy reliance on FAQ schema, inability to explain how AI models retrieve and cite content.

Green flags: clear explanation of entity optimization, structured data strategy, digital pr for AI citations, specific ai visibility tracking tools they use, and case studies with measurable ai search results.

The best ai seo agency for your business will be able to show you exactly how they measure what they do — and tie it to outcomes that matter to you.

Should small businesses invest in LLM SEO in 2026?

Yes — especially local and service businesses.

AI tools are increasingly becoming the first stop for local recommendations. Someone asking ChatGPT for “best plumber in Austin” or “top dentist in Denver” is a high-intent buyer. If your brand shows up in that answer, you win the customer before they ever visit a search engine results page.

LLM optimization for local businesses doesn’t require a massive budget. It starts with structured data, Google Business Profile optimization, review authority, and consistent brand mentions across the platforms AI models trust.

The Bottom Line: Who Is the Best LLM SEO Agency for You?

Here’s the honest answer.

It depends on where you are and what you need.

If you’re a B2B SaaS company or YC-backed startup that wants a senior growth marketer running your campaigns personally — someone with a direct track record at multi-million dollar companies who built AI search optimization strategies before it was mainstream — Brandon Leuangpaseuth is the call.

No hand-offs. No junior account managers. You get a strategist who has actually done this work inside fast-moving companies and can run LLM optimization campaigns with the same growth mindset.

If you’re an enterprise brand that needs content at scale, Siege Media is the right choice.

If you need conversion-focused SEO with rigorous data on what actually works in AI search, Grow & Convert has built the frameworks to prove it.

If you need digital pr and technical SEO at scale for a large enterprise, Go Fish Digital has the infrastructure.

The best ai seo agency isn’t the biggest. It’s the one that actually understands how large language models retrieve and cite content — and can connect that directly to your revenue.

Start by asking every agency you talk to: “How do you measure ai visibility, and how does it tie to revenue?”

Their answer tells you everything.