If your monthly SEO report does not mention AI Overviews, ChatGPT visibility, AEO, or zero-click searches, your agency is optimizing for the 2020 version of search. That version is shrinking. Here is what a modern SEO engagement should include in 2026 and the questions to ask your current agency.
The Search Landscape Changed
In 2020, SEO was straightforward. Rank higher on Google. Get more clicks. Convert clicks into customers. The entire strategy focused on Google’s list of 10 blue links.
In 2026, that list of 10 blue links is often pushed below an AI Overview that answers the query directly. 58 to 60 percent of searches end without a click. Google AI Overviews reduce the click-through rate of the number one organic result by 58 percent. ChatGPT has 800 million weekly users asking questions that used to go to Google.
An SEO agency that is not addressing this shift is solving last decade’s problem.
What a 2026 SEO Engagement Should Include
Beyond the standard deliverables (technical audit, content optimization, link building, reporting), a modern SEO engagement should include:
AEO/GEO optimization. Content structuring for AI extraction. Front-loaded entity information. FAQ blocks with direct answers. Schema markup beyond the basics. This is what AEO is and it should be part of every engagement, not an upsell.
AI citation testing. Monthly testing of whether your business appears in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overview responses for your target queries. This is the new version of rank tracking.
Schema deployment beyond basics. Not just LocalBusiness on the homepage. Full schema stacks (LocalBusiness, Service, FAQPage, Article, BreadcrumbList) on every relevant page.
Content freshness strategy. A plan for updating existing content quarterly, not just publishing new content. Freshness is now a measurable citation factor.
Zero-click metrics. Measurement beyond website traffic. Brand search volume, phone call tracking, AI referral traffic, and share of voice in AI responses. For context, read our post on the zero-click problem.
Questions to Ask Your Current Agency
“Do you optimize for AI search engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity?” If the answer is no or vague, they are behind.
“Have you tested whether our business appears in AI-generated answers?” If they have not tested it, they are not tracking it.
“What is our schema markup status across all pages?” If they do not know, it probably has not been implemented.
“What percentage of searches for our keywords trigger Google AI Overviews?” If they cannot answer, they are not monitoring the AI impact on your traffic.
“How are you measuring success beyond website clicks?” If the only metric is organic traffic, they are missing the zero-click channel entirely.
When to Stay and When to Switch
Stay if your agency acknowledges the shift and is actively adding AI visibility to your engagement. The field is new and agencies that are learning and adapting deserve credit.
Switch if your agency dismisses AI search as a fad, cannot answer the questions above, has not updated their methodology since 2023, or continues to report only on Google rankings and organic traffic without addressing AI.
For more on evaluating agencies, read how to choose an AI agency in Atlanta. iORSO’s SEO/AEO services include all of the components listed above starting at $2,500 per month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I fire my SEO agency if they do not mention AI?
Not necessarily. Have the conversation first. Ask the questions above. If they are willing to adapt, that is a good sign. If they dismiss AI search, consider alternatives.
Can my current agency add AEO to what they already do?
Possibly. The foundational SEO work (content, technical, links) is the same. AEO adds content structuring, schema, and AI testing. Some agencies can add this. Others lack the methodology.
How do I know if AEO is actually being done?
Ask to see your schema deployment status, your AI citation test results, and your content’s AI-quotability scores. If these do not exist, AEO is not being done.
Is AEO just a buzzword to charge more?
No. AEO addresses a measurable shift in how search works. 58 to 60 percent of searches ending without clicks is not a buzzword. It is a data point that changes how SEO should be practiced.
How much should I pay for SEO that includes AI?
For Atlanta metro businesses, $2,500 to $5,000 per month for a combined SEO and AEO retainer. The AI component should be included, not an add-on.
Next Steps
Phone: (678) 640-3933 | Email: info@iorso.com