How to Choose an AI Search Optimization Company

To choose an AI search optimization company, look for one that tracks your real customer prompts across several AI assistants, explains what it will change and why, shows you the raw answers, and refuses to guarantee rankings or claim AI partnerships. Then check the contract terms: monthly flexibility, content ownership and clear reporting matter as much as the work itself.

What the Company Should Actually Do

• Research the prompts buyers in your market ask AI assistants.
• Test those prompts regularly in ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity and Copilot.
• Find the sources assistants cite and identify gaps.
• Fix technical and consistency issues that block understanding.
• Create and distribute content that answers buyer questions.
• Report changes honestly, including when nothing moved.

Step 1: Define What You Need

Before contacting anyone, write down your goals and limits. A local physiotherapy clinic needs a few dozen local prompts and listing work. An ecommerce brand selling in five countries needs multilingual tracking and product content. Your needs decide whether you want software, an agency or a mix.

Step 2: Shortlist Three Providers

Look for companies that publish clear explanations of their method and pricing. Prefer those whose own content is specific and honest rather than full of big promises. A list of vendors is a starting point; see our guide to building an AI search vendor shortlist.

Step 3: Ask for a Sample Report

Ask each company to show you a real (anonymised) report. Check whether it includes the actual AI answers, sources and competitor names, or just scores. A report you cannot verify is hard to trust.

Step 4: Test Their Honesty

Ask directly: “Can you guarantee we will be recommended by ChatGPT?” The right answer is no, followed by an explanation of what they can influence. Also ask what tactics they refuse to use. Good companies will name fake reviews, link buying and forum spam.

Step 5: Check the Contract

• Term: monthly or short initial term is safer while you evaluate.
• Ownership: you should own content created for you.
• Access: you should keep your tracking data if you leave.
• Scope: list the number of prompts, assistants, pieces of content and reports.
• Publishing: know where content will appear and under whose name.

Step 6: Meet the People Doing the Work

Ask who will handle your account day to day and talk to them, not only to sales. Check they understand your industry and its sources. A firm serving law practices should know the legal directories and bar association listings that matter; one serving software companies should know the main software review sites.

Step 7: Agree on Success Measures

Decide together what you will measure: share of prompts mentioning you, accuracy of descriptions and which competitors you appear alongside. Agree on a review point, such as after three months, to decide whether to continue.

Red Flags Summary

• Guaranteed mentions or positions.
• “Official” or “certified” status with AI companies.
• Offers to place you in AI training data.
• Review or comment packages.
• Long lock-in contracts before any results.

More on this in the truth about guaranteed AI placement.

How Keboost Fits

Keboost combines tracking with content creation and distribution. It follows your prompts across major AI assistants, shows where you and competitors appear, and helps publish focused content. There are two plans, Starter at €29/month and Professional at €99/month, both cancel anytime; see the pricing page. Run a free AI visibility check to test it against your shortlist.