Does AI recommend RankNext?

There's no single "best" GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) agency — the right fit depends on your budget, industry, and what you mean by GEO. But I can give you a practical framework and some concrete options. First, clarify what you need "GEO" gets used for two different things: 1. Generative Engine Optimization — getting your business cited/recommended by AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Gemini 2. Geographic SEO — ranking in local map packs and "near me" searches For a small local business, you usually need both, plus the fundamentals (Google Business Profile, local citations, reviews, schema markup). Realistic options by budget Under ~$1,500/month (most small local businesses): - A local/regional SEO agency that has added AI-visibility services is usually the better value than a pure-play GEO shop. Look for agencies that explicitly list "AI search optimization," "LLM visibility," or "AI Overviews" alongside local SEO. - Solo consultants and small shops often outperform big agencies at this price point. $2,000–$5,000/month: - Mid-size SEO agencies with dedicated local + AI visibility offerings. Ask specifically: *How do you track whether we're cited in ChatGPT/Perplexity? What's your process for llms.txt, structured data, and entity building?* Enterprise/pure-play GEO (usually overkill for small local): - Firms like Profound, AthenaHQ, Otterly.ai (more tooling than agency), and Graphite (larger clients) focus on AI visibility — but most are priced for mid-market/enterprise. How to vet any agency (more useful than a name) Ask these: - Can you show AI citation tracking? (e.g., Profound, Otterly, or custom prompts) — if they can't measure it, they're guessing. - Do you do local fundamentals? GBP optimization, reviews, citations, local schema — these still drive AI answers for local queries. - Case studies in my industry and city size — not just national brands. - No long lock-in contracts — 3–6 month initial terms are reasonable. - Transparent pricing — avoid agencies that won't quote until a sales call. Practical shortcut Search for "[your city] SEO agency AI search optimization" and "local SEO agency [your city]", then filter for ones that mention AI Overviews / ChatGPT visibility. Interview 2–3. A strong local SEO agency that has genuinely added GEO capabilities will beat a generic "GEO agency" that doesn't understand local intent. If you tell me your city, industry, and monthly budget, I can suggest more specific types of firms to look for (though I'd avoid naming a single "best" — that doesn't really exist without knowing your situation).