Independently researched ranking
Best AI Agencies in 2026
13 AI agencies compared on AI search capability, proof of results and pricing, picked from the 143 AI agencies we track.
- Agencies reviewed
- 143
- Median minimum
- $5,000/mo
- Typical hourly rate
- $150–$199
- Offer AI search
- 70%
On this page
Which AI agency is best?
The best AI agencies in 2026 include StudioHawk for AI search at scale, Optimising for dedicated AI visibility audits, Passion Digital for UK search and paid, NeoAttack for AI automation and Konstruct Digital for B2B GEO. Across the 143 AI agencies we track, the median minimum is $5,000 a month and 70% offer AI search work.
Key takeaways
- The median minimum for an AI agency is $5,000 a month, with 31% of the 143 agencies we track starting under $1,000 and 30% asking for more than $5,000.
- 70% of AI agencies in our directory offer AI search work (AEO or GEO). Most of this pool grew from SEO, so the common 'AI agency' offer is visibility in ChatGPT, Gemini and AI Overviews.
- Region matters for budget: the median minimum is $5,000 a month in both North America and the United Kingdom, $7,500 across six European agencies and $1,000 across Asia-Pacific.
- Few agencies here sell AI automation or custom builds. Among our picks, NeoAttack and Softermii are the clearest examples, with voice and WhatsApp agents built on n8n and AI agent and chatbot development respectively, so buyers wanting automation should filter hard.
- Ask every AI agency how it measures AI visibility. Citations in AI answers are harder to track than rankings, and agencies that cannot show a method are selling a label.
Best AI agencies compared
| # | Agency | Best for | Min. budget | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | StudioHawk | Overall for AI search at scale | $1,000 | ★4.8 (119) |
| 2 | Optimising | Dedicated AI visibility audits | Not published | ★5.0 (61) |
| 3 | Passion Digital | UK search, paid and AI optimisation | $5,000 | ★4.7 (33) |
| 4 | NeoAttack | AI automation as well as search | $5,000 | ★4.7 (32) |
| 5 | Softermii | Custom AI agents and chatbots | $5,000 | ★4.9 (49) |
| 6 | Digital Next | UK brands needing SEO, PPC and AI SEO | Not published | ★4.8 (76) |
| 7 | Search Engine People | Canadian SEO plus AEO and GEO | $1,000 | ★4.9 (56) |
| 8 | Konstruct Digital | GEO in B2B industrial markets | $5,000 | ★4.9 (73) |
| 9 | seoplus+ | Multi-location brands and acquirers | $1,000 | ★4.9 (53) |
| 10 | dNOVO Group | AI search for law firms and clinics | $5,000 | ★5.0 (72) |
| 11 | Content Chemistry | B2B teams combining AEO with HubSpot | $2,500 | ★4.9 (28) |
| 12 | Rankings.io | AI search for personal injury law firms | $5,000 | ★4.9 (30) |
| 13 | eSearch Logix | Budget AI SEO agency | $1,000 | ★5.0 (25) |
Ratings are public Clutch, G2 or Google averages with review counts in brackets. Minimums are monthly unless stated.
The 13 best AI agencies in 2026
Each agency below leads a specific category. Start with the one that matches your situation rather than reading top to bottom.
#1Best overall for AI search at scale
StudioHawk
Prahran-born SEO specialist with 120+ staff across Melbourne, Sydney, London and Atlanta
StudioHawk started in Melbourne in 2015 as a search-only agency and now claims more than 120 specialists across Melbourne, Sydney, London and Atlanta. AI search optimisation for ChatGPT and Gemini sits alongside technical, ecommerce and enterprise SEO, digital PR and migrations. It holds 4.8 across 119 reviews, lists Officeworks, City Beach and New Balance, and reports repeated APAC Search Awards wins.
Notable clients
- Officeworks
- City Beach
- Clarks
- PetStock
- Kogan
- New Balance
Watch out
It is search-only, so paid media and social need another agency, and smaller clients may not see senior staff.
#2Best for dedicated AI visibility audits
Optimising
Richmond SEO-only shop since 2008, B Corp certified, strong on migrations and eCommerce
Optimising is a Melbourne SEO-only shop, run since 2008 by its two co-founders, with about 16 people listed. Its offer includes AI visibility audits and GEO campaigns with AI search reporting, which gives buyers a defined starting point. It is a certified B Corp, shows a perfect Google rating across 60-odd reviews, and names Chemist Warehouse, adidas and Nando's as clients, as reported by the agency.
Notable clients
- adidas
- Chemist Warehouse
- Nando's
- Jim's Group
- St Agni
- FY Smile
Watch out
No published pricing or case-study figures, and it offers no paid media, social or web build.
#3Best for UK search, paid and AI optimisation
Passion Digital
Holborn search-led agency splitting work evenly between SEO and PPC for growth brands
Passion Digital is a Holborn agency, founded in 2012, with about 30 specialists and separate heads of organic search and paid media. It lists AI search and GEO optimisation next to technical SEO, PPC and paid social, and it won at the UK Search Awards in 2022 and 2023 and the UK Paid Media Awards in 2024. It holds 4.7 across 33 Clutch reviews.
Notable clients
- Knight Frank
- OneTrust
- Mazda
- The Arch Company
- The Pink Stuff
- Octopus Investments
Watch out
It now sits inside the Stellar network, so ownership and tooling may shift, and some reviewers found onboarding slow.
#4Best for AI automation as well as search
NeoAttack
Madrid performance agency pairing Google Ads and SEO with AI phone and WhatsApp agents
NeoAttack is a Madrid agency operating since 2014, with a reported team of more than 50. It offers GEO and AI search visibility alongside Google Ads, SEO and ecommerce builds, and it also builds AI automation such as n8n workflows and voice and WhatsApp agents. It holds a 2026 Google Partner Premier badge and a Clutch-listed $25 to $49 hourly band.
Notable clients
- Intermundial
- Hysteresis Optics
- Roselin Joyeros
- Grumeber
- EPAE
Watch out
It has no verified Clutch reviews, only 32 Google reviews, and some of its self-reported claims are inconsistent.
#5Best for custom AI agents and chatbots
Softermii
Software and AI agent developer for healthcare, real estate, logistics and fintech companies
Softermii is a Los Angeles software house with 51 to 200 people that builds AI agents, chatbots, voice AI and generative AI integrations, plus custom software and IT staff augmentation. It is one of the few picks here that develops AI rather than optimising for it. Clutch shows 49 reviews averaging 4.9, with a $5,000 minimum and a $25 to $49 hourly band. Named clients include Rently, Wobi and Faropoint, across healthcare, fintech and logistics.
Notable clients
- Faropoint
- Listing Village
- Rently
- Wobi
- Locum App
- TempTribe
Watch out
It is a software development house, heavier than a no-code automation agency, with custom quotes and no published prices.
#6Best for UK brands needing SEO, PPC and AI SEO
Digital Next
Founder-led Manchester SEO and PPC agency with a Melbourne office and AI visibility platform
Digital Next was started by two brothers at the end of the 2000s and works from Manchester, with a Melbourne office that now has more than 20 staff. It sells AI SEO and GEO next to technical audits, PPC and in-house development, so migrations and rebuilds stay with one team. It has been a Google Premier Partner since 2023, holds 4.8 from 76 Google reviews, and names Qantas, NordVPN and Decathlon.
Notable clients
- Qantas
- NordVPN
- Decathlon
- Hörmann
- Essilor
- Perfume Direct
Watch out
Homepage case studies show services but no performance metrics, and its founding year is given inconsistently.
#7Best for Canadian SEO plus AEO and GEO
Search Engine People
Veteran Toronto search shop running SEO, Google Ads and AI search for SMBs to enterprise
Search Engine People is a Toronto search firm founded in 2001 by early Canadian SEO practitioner Jeff Quipp. It combines AEO and GEO with SEO, Google Ads, CRO and HubSpot work, and has English and French capability. It holds 4.9 across 56 Clutch reviews, is a Google Premier Partner, and publishes pricing guidance starting around $1,000 a month with no fixed minimum term.
Notable clients
- Speedy Cash
- Levitt LLP
- PAR Technology
- Sunset Docks Muskoka
- Aon
- Cosmo Music
Watch out
About 70% of its work is SEO, so paid social and creative are secondary, and it recommends 4 to 12 month commitments.
#8Best for GEO in B2B industrial markets
Konstruct Digital
Calgary B2B agency running SEO, PPC and content for industrial and manufacturing firms
Konstruct Digital is a Calgary B2B agency, founded in 2012, that lists generative engine optimization with B2B SEO, LinkedIn and Google Ads, ABM and HubSpot operations. About half of its Clutch-reviewed clients are manufacturers, including Wabash, Crane and Regal Rexnord. It reports a 147% rise in non-branded clicks for Proterial Cable America and holds 4.9 across 73 reviews.
Notable clients
- Wabash
- Crane
- Regal Rexnord
- Proterial
- Nureva
- Gates
Watch out
It is a narrow fit for consumer or DTC brands, and some reviewers cite account manager turnover.
#9Best for multi-location brands and acquirers
seoplus+
Ottawa search-led agency covering SEO, GEO, paid ads, digital PR and web
seoplus+ is an Ottawa agency founded in 2012 by Eddy Abounehme and Brock Murray, serving clients across Canada and the United States. It lists GEO and AI search visibility next to SEO, paid ads, digital PR, email and web, plus niche offers for multi-location brands and M&A acquirers. It holds 4.9 across 53 Clutch reviews and 4.8 from 75 Google reviews.
Notable clients
- Gifford Carr
- Cardel Homes
- Talentlab
- Edtomorrow
Watch out
Some clients found it pricey for small budgets, and its published case studies lack hard numbers.
#10Best AI search for law firms and clinics
dNOVO Group
Toronto SEO and lead-gen agency built around law firms, clinics and home services
dNOVO Group is a Toronto agency, dated to 2011 by Clutch, built around legal, healthcare and home services clients. It offers AI search optimisation covering AI Overviews and ChatGPT visibility, plus SEO, Google Ads and Local Services Ads. It holds a 5.0 rating across 72 Clutch reviews, publishes a starting price, and uses no long-term contracts.
Notable clients
- Simple Divorce
- Grillo Law
- Walter Law Group
- Forum Law
- Wyman & Williamson
- Sobirovs Law Firm
Watch out
Its niche focus has little relevance for B2B, SaaS or ecommerce, and much of its 'top agency' positioning is self-published.
#11Best for B2B teams combining AEO with HubSpot
Content Chemistry
Sydney B2B agency running SEO, AEO and demand gen on HubSpot
Content Chemistry is a Sydney B2B agency run by CEO Nathan Reiche, covering SEO and AI search optimisation (AEO) alongside HubSpot RevOps, ABM and demand generation. It is a HubSpot Platinum Solutions Partner with a 4.9 rating from 28 reviews, and it names nib, Investa and Uber for Business. It reports a 24x rise in organic traffic for CFO Dynamics.
Notable clients
- nib
- Investa
- Uber for Business
- First Sentier Investors
- Nanosonics
- RateMyAgent
Watch out
It is tied to HubSpot, and founding year, headcount and pricing are not published.
#12Best AI search for personal injury law firms
Rankings.io
The SEO agency built exclusively for law firms.
Rankings.io is a law-firm-only agency that narrowed to personal injury in 2018. It lists AI Search (AIO) with SEO, Google Search Ads, Local Services Ads, paid social and web design, and the company says it has more than 160 staff and keeps about 95% of work in house. It holds a 4.9 rating across 30 Clutch reviews, with a $5,000 minimum.
Watch out
It works with legal clients only, and pricing reflects high-value case economics.
#13Best budget AI SEO agency
eSearch Logix
Noida SEO and web development shop with a perfect Clutch score and $199/month entry plans
eSearch Logix is a Noida agency operating since 2014, with a US entity that handles North American contracts. It lists AI SEO, AEO and LLM optimisation, plus managed SEO, PPC and in-house web and app development, with SEO plans from $199 a month. It holds a perfect 5.0 across 25 Clutch reviews and is a Semrush Certified Agency Partner.
Watch out
Leadership is not named publicly, reviewers wanted more backlink transparency, and most work is under $10,000.
Best AI agency by need
AI search at enterprise and ecommerce scaleStudioHawk
Standalone AI visibility auditOptimising
UK search and paid with AI optimisationPassion Digital
AI automation and voice agentsNeoAttack
Custom AI agents and chatbotsSoftermii
Canadian SEO with AEO and GEOSearch Engine People
B2B industrial GEOKonstruct Digital
Law firms and clinicsdNOVO Group
HubSpot-based B2B teamsContent Chemistry
Small budgetseSearch Logix
How much does an AI agency cost in 2026?
AI agency pricing tracks the underlying service, usually SEO or paid media, more than the AI label. These figures come from the published minimums and hourly rates of the 143 AI agencies in our directory.
| Tier | Monthly minimum | Share of agencies | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Under $1,000/mo | 31% | Small sites and local businesses; packaged AI SEO plans, often from offshore teams. |
| Mid-market | $1,000 to $5,000/mo | 39% | Growing SMBs adding AI search work to an existing SEO or content programme. |
| Premium | Over $5,000/mo | 30% | Competitive markets, B2B programmes and brands that need AI work tied to revenue reporting. |
Source: published minimum budgets of AI agencies in the MakeSuccessOnline directory, October 2026.
Median minimum budget by region
The most common hourly band is $150 to $199 (28% of the 87 agencies that publish rates), followed by $100 to $149 (23%) and $50 to $99 (15%).
How we chose the best AI agencies
We started with every AI agency in the MakeSuccessOnline directory (143 at the time of writing) and scored the strongest on six criteria. Each profile was researched from the agency's own site plus at least one independent source such as Clutch, Google reviews, trade press or award listings.
- AI capability and methodWhether AI search or automation is a defined service with a method, not a renamed SEO page.25%
- Proven results and clientsNamed clients and published results we could attribute to a source, with agency-reported figures flagged.20%
- Reviews and reputationRatings and review volume on Clutch, Google or HubSpot, plus awards and partner status.20%
- Core channel strengthDepth in the underlying discipline, such as search, paid or CRM, that AI work builds on.15%
- Pricing transparency and valueWhether minimums or fees are published, and how cost compares with scope.10%
- Team and longevityYears in business, team size and who actually works on accounts.10%
Rankings are editorial. Agencies cannot pay to appear on this page or to change their position. Read how we review agencies →
How to choose an AI agency
- Decide which AI job you meanAI search visibility, AI-assisted content and AI automation are different services. Write down which one you are buying.
- Check the underlying skillAI search work rests on strong SEO, content and technical fundamentals. Ask how long the agency has done that core work.
- Ask for a measurement methodRequest the prompts, tools and reporting the agency uses to track citations in ChatGPT, Gemini and AI Overviews.
- Look for named proofAsk for case studies where AI answers cited a client, and for any agency-reported results to be shown with their source.
- Meet the team doing the workFind out who writes, audits and builds, and whether automation is built in house or resold.
- Set realistic termsAgree on a review point at three months and a notice period, as AI search outcomes are less predictable than rankings.
Questions to ask
- What exactly do you do for AI search, and how does it differ from your SEO service?
- How do you measure whether our brand is cited in AI answers?
- Can you show a client where AI visibility improved, and what you changed?
- Which tools do you build or buy, and who owns the workflows if we leave?
- How do you handle accuracy and review when AI is used to produce content?
- What does a realistic first 90 days look like for our budget?
Red flags
- Guaranteed citations in ChatGPT or guaranteed placement in AI Overviews.
- An 'AI' service page with no method, tools or example work behind it.
- Mass-produced AI content published without human editing.
- No way to show how AI visibility is tracked or reported.
- Automation built on tools you cannot access or take with you.
AI agency vs freelancer vs in-house
| AI agency | Freelancer | In-house AI hire | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | $1,000 to $15,000+/mo | Lower; usually hourly or per project | Salary plus tools and experimentation time |
| Skills covered | Search, content, automation, reporting | Usually one specialism | Depends on hire; often technical |
| Speed to start | 2 to 4 weeks | Days | 2 to 4 months to hire |
| Best for | Visibility programmes and build projects | Narrow tasks and audits | Ongoing automation across teams |
| Main risk | Rebranded services with thin method | Continuity and capacity | Single point of failure, tool churn |
What does an AI agency do?
An AI agency is a company that sells artificial intelligence services to businesses. In our directory this mostly means AI search optimisation, often called AEO or GEO, which aims to get a brand cited in ChatGPT, Gemini and AI Overviews. Some agencies also build AI automation, such as workflow tools and voice or messaging agents, or use AI to produce content. The scope behind the label varies, so ask for the specific deliverables.
AI agency FAQ
What is the best AI agency in 2026?
No single AI agency is best for every buyer. StudioHawk is our top pick for AI search at scale, Optimising suits buyers wanting a dedicated AI visibility audit, NeoAttack leads for AI automation, and Konstruct Digital for B2B industrial GEO. Your goal and budget decide the right fit.
How much does an AI agency cost per month?
Across the 143 AI agencies we track, the median minimum is $5,000 a month. About 31% start under $1,000 and 30% ask for more than $5,000. The most common hourly band is $150 to $199, quoted by 28% of agencies that publish rates.
What does an AI agency actually do?
Most AI agencies in our directory run AI search optimisation, which means improving how a brand appears in ChatGPT, Gemini and AI Overviews. Others build automation, such as workflows and voice or WhatsApp agents. Ask for a written list of deliverables so you know which kind you are buying.
How long does AI search optimisation take to work?
Expect an audit and content fixes in the first month, with early citation changes in two to four months. Sustained visibility usually takes six months or more. Google says the same SEO best practices apply to its AI features, so fundamentals still matter.
How do I choose an AI agency?
Decide first whether you need AI search visibility, AI-assisted content or automation. Then shortlist agencies with a strong core discipline behind the AI work, ask how they measure results, and request named case studies. Compare minimums against your budget before meetings.
Is AI search optimisation different from SEO?
It overlaps heavily. AI search optimisation, called AEO or GEO, builds on SEO fundamentals such as crawlable pages, strong content and authority, then adds work on brand mentions, structured answers and citation tracking. In our directory, most agencies selling it are SEO firms that extended their service.
Should I hire an AI agency or build AI skills in-house?
Hire an agency when you need a method, audits and reporting quickly. Build in-house when AI work is continuous across several teams, such as automation. Many companies buy a first project from an agency, then hire a lead to own the workflows.
What should I ask an AI agency before signing?
Ask how it measures AI citations, what tools it uses, who owns any automation or content, and what the first 90 days include. Also ask for the notice period and any handover you receive on exit. An agency with a real method will answer each of these specifically.
More AI agencies
Well-reviewed AI agencies that did not make the top list but may suit your market.
Browse all 143 AI agencies →
About the reviewer
Editor & Reviewer, MakeSuccessOnline
William Harrison is an editor and reviewer at MakeSuccessOnline. Before a ranking goes live, he checks every claim on the page against each agency's own site, its published case studies and independent reviews on Clutch and G2, and cuts anything he can't verify. He also keeps rankings current, rechecking pricing, team details and client lists as agencies change.