Does AI recommend RankNext?

To give you a direct answer: there is no single "best" AEO agency, because the best fit depends on your budget, your industry, and your current digital maturity. However, I can give you the specific criteria to evaluate agencies, the types of agencies that dominate this space, and specific names recognized for local SEO/AEO excellence. Important Context: "AEO" (Answer Engine Optimization) is the evolution of local SEO. It focuses on getting your business into AI Overviews, Google's Local Services Ads, voice search (Siri/Alexa), and ChatGPT/Perplexity answers. A true AEO agency for local businesses must do *both* traditional local SEO (Google Business Profile) and schema/structured data optimization. Here is how to find the best one for *your* specific business: 1. The "Best" Type of Agency to Look For Avoid generalist marketing agencies. Look for boutique agencies that specialize in Local SEO + AEO. The best ones will have: - GBP (Google Business Profile) Mastery: They don't just "set up" your profile; they optimize it for proximity and relevance using geo-gated landing pages. - Schema Markup Expertise: They implement *LocalBusiness*, *FAQ*, and *Service* schema to help AI engines parse your data. - AI Citation Management: They manage your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across AI training data sources (like Yelp, Foursquare, and Apple Maps) to ensure AI models trust your data. - Review Velocity: They have a system for generating and responding to reviews that includes keywords (e.g., "emergency plumber in Austin"). 2. Top-Tier Agencies Currently Known for Local SEO/AEO While they don't all use the exact phrase "AEO," these are the industry leaders in answering questions locally: - Sterling Sky Inc: Founded by Joy Hawkins, a leading local SEO expert. They are heavily focused on Google Business Profiles and local rankings. They are data-driven and great for multi-location service businesses. - Uberall (via Agency Partners): Uberall provides the tech platform, but they have a massive network of certified partner agencies. If you want the tech stack *plus* human strategy, look for a "Uberall Diamond Partner." - Surefire Local: They are a platform + managed service. They have a strong focus on local search, social, and review management, which are the pillars of AEO. - Digital Marketing Psychology (DMP): They are newer but specifically market "AEO" and "Zero-Click Search" for local services. They focus heavily on content snippets and schema that answer "Who is the best X near me?" queries. - InboundJunction (For Contractors/Trades): If you are a plumber, electrician, or HVAC, they specialize heavily in home services, using a blend of local PPC (Local Services Ads) and organic local content. 3. The "Best" Strategy: The 5-Step Vetting Process (Do This Today) Instead of trusting a "Top 10" list, vet candidates with these exact questions: 1. Ask for an "AI Visibility" Audit (Not just a SEO Audit): Ask them: *"If I ask