A year ago, I thought “AI SEO agency” was mostly a buzzword.
Most agencies were still running the same traditional SEO playbook, just with a few AI tools layered on top.
That is no longer true.
Search is changing fast. Between AI Overviews, generative search results powered by AI platforms, and smarter algorithms, AI SEO today looks very different from what it did even two years ago.
In this article, I will share 10 AI SEO agencies that are actually adapting to this shift. These AI SEO agencies use artificial intelligence to improve SEO strategy, content, technical SEO, and performance at scale, not just to sound modern on their homepage.
No tools. No fluff. Just agencies worth paying attention to going into 2026.
Let’s get started.
Link building cheat sheet
Respona
Most AI SEO agencies focus on content, technical fixes, or reporting.
That is important, but it is not what ultimately pushes pages into the top 10.
Authority does.
If you want to rank in the top search results and have a real chance of getting captured in AI Overviews, you need strong authority signals. High quality backlinks and real brand mentions are still what separate pages that rank from pages that get ignored, even in the AI mode of search engines.
That is exactly what Respona focuses on.
Respona is a done-for-you link building service built to earn high quality links and brand mentions from real, relevant websites. Link building and digital PR are not an add-on for us. It is the core product.
Our approach to link building
We use a human-led process that combines a vetted publisher database with custom, manual outreach.
We focus on securing links from top performing websites and content in your niche. These are real publications and authoritative pages that already rank well, attract traffic, and meet strict editorial standards.
Our team identifies relevant publishers, verifies real editorial contacts, and runs personalized outreach based on context and value. No templates, no link marketplaces, and no shortcuts.
The result is links that actually pass authority and improve your chances of ranking in the top 10 and getting picked up by AI Overviews.
Pricing
Respona offers custom done-for-you link building packages.
Pricing is based on your industry, goals, and link quality requirements, with flexible monthly plans and pay per link options available. Discounts are available for bulk and long term campaigns.
Bottom line
If your goal is to rank in the top 10 and improve your chances of appearing in AI search results, link building is not optional.
Respona is built to help you earn links that actually move rankings.
Get started by submitting your link building requirements, and our team will take it from there.
Reviews
G2: 4.8/5 (199 reviews)
Clutch: 4.8/5
SmartSites
SmartSites is one of the largest digital marketing agencies on this list, and for good reason.
They work with businesses of all sizes and focus on delivering measurable growth through search, content marketing, and paid media, while increasingly incorporating AI platforms and generative AI into their SEO processes.
Their AI SEO services cover technical optimization, on page improvements, content strategy, and performance tracking, with an emphasis on using data and automation to scale campaigns efficiently. They’ve adapted their approach to optimize for AI search engines and Google AI Overview features.
SmartSites is a good fit for companies that want a reliable, full service SEO partner that can handle both strategy and execution, without overcomplicating the process.
They are especially well suited for teams that want steady growth, clear communication, and proven systems rather than experimental SEO tactics.
Reviews
G2: 4.9/5 (240+ reviews)
Clutch: 4.9/5 (340+ reviews)
Pricing
SmartSites does not publish fixed SEO pricing, as all engagements are custom scoped.
According to publicly available data on Clutch, SEO services typically start at around $2,500 per month, with hourly rates commonly ranging between $100 and $149 depending on scope and services.
Straight North
Straight North is a well established digital marketing agency that focuses heavily on lead driven SEO for B2B and B2C companies.
Their AI SEO services emphasize technical optimization, keyword research, content strategy improvements, and conversion focused performance tracking. They are known for tying SEO work directly to measurable outcomes like leads and revenue rather than rankings alone.
Straight North is a good fit for companies that want a structured, results oriented AI SEO approach backed by clear reporting and long term experience.
Reviews
Clutch: 4.7/5 (133 reviews)
Google (via Birdeye): 4.7/5 (74 reviews)
Pricing
Straight North does not publish fixed SEO pricing. On Clutch, they list a minimum project size of $1,000+ and an hourly rate of $100 to $149.
Boostability
Boostability is a digital marketing agency that focuses primarily on search engine optimization for small and medium sized businesses. Their approach is built around providing structured, repeatable SEO processes that are easy for clients to understand and scale over time.
Instead of chasing advanced or experimental SEO tactics, Boostability emphasizes consistent execution across technical SEO, keyword research, on page optimization, and local SEO. This makes them a good fit for companies that want a steady SEO foundation without heavy internal involvement.
They are especially popular with businesses that are newer to AI SEO or want a managed AI SEO service that prioritizes clarity, predictable workflows, and ongoing optimization rather than complex, enterprise level strategies. Their services now integrate AI insights to improve campaign performance.
Reviews
Clutch: 4.7/5 (52 reviews)
Pricing
Boostability does not publish fixed pricing publicly, as packages are tailored to business size and goals.
According to publicly available data on Clutch, SEO services typically start at around $1,000 per month, with hourly rates generally ranging between $50 and $99 depending on scope and services.
SEO Brand
SEO Brand is a full service digital marketing agency that puts AI SEO at the center of measurable growth. They work with companies of all sizes and focus on building SEO strategies that tie directly to traffic, conversions, and revenue rather than rankings alone.
Their AI SEO services cover technical optimization, content strategy, keyword research, and ongoing performance analysis. SEO Brand places a strong emphasis on data driven decision making, using competitive research and regular reporting to guide strategy adjustments over time.
They are a good fit for teams that want a structured, transparent SEO engagement with clear accountability and long term planning built into the process. Their approach balances traditional SEO fundamentals with AI driven search optimization.
Reviews
Clutch: 4.9/5 (98 reviews)
Pricing
SEO Brand does not publish fixed pricing publicly, as all SEO engagements are custom scoped.
Based on publicly available data on Clutch, SEO services typically start in the mid four figures per month, with pricing varying depending on competition, site complexity, and campaign scope.
OuterBox
OuterBox is a digital marketing agency that specializes in AI SEO for ecommerce brands and businesses operating in highly competitive markets. Their SEO work focuses on driving qualified organic traffic that converts, rather than chasing rankings in isolation.
They put a strong emphasis on technical SEO, site architecture, and content optimization for large product catalogs. This makes them a good fit for ecommerce teams that need help managing scale, crawlability, and performance across hundreds or thousands of pages.
OuterBox also connects SEO performance to business outcomes like revenue and transactions, which is especially valuable for companies that want clear visibility into how organic search engine results contribute to growth.
Reviews
Clutch: 4.9/5 (86 reviews)
Pricing
OuterBox does not publish fixed SEO pricing publicly, as all engagements are custom scoped.
According to publicly available data on Clutch, ongoing SEO retainers typically start around $2,500 per month, with pricing increasing based on site size, competition, and ecommerce complexity.
Thrive Internet Marketing Agency
Thrive Internet Marketing Agency is a full service digital marketing agency that offers AI SEO services as one of its core offerings alongside paid media, web design, and conversion optimization. Their SEO work focuses on improving long term organic visibility through technical optimization, SEO strategy, and ongoing performance tracking.
They take a structured approach to SEO, with clear processes and regular reporting that helps clients understand what is being worked on and why. This makes Thrive a good fit for teams that want consistency, transparency, and steady progress rather than experimental or overly complex SEO tactics.
Thrive works with businesses across a wide range of industries and company sizes, from small businesses to growing mid market brands, and adapts its AI SEO strategy based on competition and growth goals.
Reviews
Clutch: 4.6/5 (103 reviews)
Pricing
Thrive Internet Marketing Agency does not publish fixed SEO pricing publicly, as all engagements are custom scoped.
Based on publicly available data on Clutch, SEO services typically start in the low thousands per month, with pricing increasing depending on scope, competition, and ongoing support requirements.
Intero Digital
Intero Digital is a full service digital marketing agency with deep experience in search engine optimization and broader online growth strategies. They combine data driven planning with multichannel execution to help clients improve organic visibility, attract qualified traffic, and grow their overall digital presence. AI SEO sits at the heart of many of their engagements, backed by analytics, technical audits, and ongoing performance adjustments.
Clients often praise Intero Digital for a structured approach that balances SEO strategy with execution, and they work with companies across a variety of industries and business sizes. Their team focuses on understanding client goals and tailoring AI SEO efforts to improve visibility and user engagement over time rather than taking a one size fits all method.
While they offer other services like paid media, content marketing, and web development, their AI SEO work is frequently cited alongside improvements in keyword rankings and organic traffic. If you want an AI SEO agency that integrates SEO into broader digital marketing plans and aligns performance metrics with real business outcomes, Intero Digital is worth considering.
Reviews
Clutch: 4.8/5 (143 reviews)
Pricing
Intero Digital does not publish fixed SEO pricing publicly, as engagements are custom scoped based on goals and complexity.
According to publicly available data on Clutch, minimum project sizes typically start at $1,000+, with hourly rates commonly between $100 and $149 per hour, and many mid range engagements falling between $10,000 and $49,999.
Sure Oak
Sure Oak is a growth focused digital marketing agency with a strong emphasis on search engine optimization. They help businesses improve organic visibility through tailored AI SEO strategies that combine technical optimization, content improvements, and performance driven execution.
Their approach is highly consultative. Sure Oak works closely with internal teams to understand business goals and align AI SEO efforts with long term growth rather than short term ranking wins. This makes them a good fit for companies that want strategy, collaboration, and transparency baked into the engagement.
Sure Oak’s AI SEO process typically includes in depth research, ongoing optimization, competitive analysis, and regular performance reporting. The focus is on building sustainable search visibility and compounding results over time using both traditional SEO methods and AI driven SEO techniques.
Reviews
Clutch: 4.9/5 (37 reviews)
Pricing
Sure Oak does not publish fixed SEO pricing publicly, as engagements are custom scoped based on goals, competition, and business size.
Based on publicly available data on Clutch, ongoing SEO retainers typically start in the mid four figures per month, with pricing increasing for more competitive industries or broader strategic support.
Power Digital Marketing
Power Digital is a tech-enabled growth marketing agency that combines data, SEO strategy, and creative execution to help brands scale organic visibility and overall digital performance. While they offer a full range of services including paid media and social strategy, their AI SEO work is rooted in data driven audits, content strategy, and technical improvements that aim to drive measurable organic traffic growth rather than just rankings.
Clients highlight Power Digital’s ability to integrate smoothly with internal teams and treat AI SEO as part of broader growth objectives. Their approach prioritizes strategic planning, regular performance insights, and execution aligned with business outcomes, making them a good fit for companies that want AI SEO integrated with other channels like content, analytics, and paid media.
Power also brings a consultative mindset to projects, helping teams understand not just what changes are made, but why they matter for long term performance. This makes them a strong choice for businesses that want an AI SEO agency capable of thinking beyond individual tactics to overall search strategy and growth planning.
Reviews
Clutch: 4.8/5 (66 reviews)
Pricing
Power Digital does not list fixed SEO pricing publicly, as engagements are custom scoped based on goals, industry, and campaign complexity.
According to publicly available data on Clutch, SEO and broader digital marketing engagements typically start at $5,000+ per project, with average hourly rates between $100 and $149 per hour depending on scope and service mix.
Link building cheat sheet
Now Over to You
AI SEO is moving fast, but some fundamentals have not changed.
Content marketing, technical SEO, and AI optimization help you get in the game. Authority through digital PR is what helps you win it. Without strong backlinks and real brand mentions, even the best AI content struggles to break into the top results or get surfaced in Google SGE and AI Overviews.
If link building is the piece holding your AI SEO back, Respona is built to solve that.
You can submit your requirements, choose the level of link quality you want, and let our team earn high quality links from real websites that actually move rankings and improve AI citation signals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an AI SEO agency?
An AI SEO agency uses artificial intelligence and generative AI to improve how websites perform in search. This often includes smarter keyword research, content optimization, technical audits, and performance analysis.
AI platforms help speed up decision making, but strong SEO fundamentals still matter. The best AI SEO agency combines AI powered SEO techniques with proven traditional SEO methods.
Can AI SEO replace traditional SEO?
No. AI SEO does not replace traditional SEO, it enhances it. You still need solid content, clean site structure, and authority signals like backlinks for rankings to improve. Working with an AI SEO expert means combining both approaches for optimal results.
Why are backlinks still important for AI Overviews?
Most pages featured in AI search results already rank in the top search results. Backlinks help build the authority needed to reach those positions in the first place. Without strong links, content rarely gets enough trust to be surfaced by AI systems like Google’s AI Overview or Meta AI.
How does link building support AI SEO strategies?
AI SEO helps identify opportunities, but link building helps validate them. High quality links and brand mentions signal trust, relevance, and authority, which improves visibility in both traditional search engine results and AI powered experiences. An AI SEO strategy without link building is incomplete.
When should I invest in link building?
Link building works best when you already have solid content and technical SEO in place. If your pages rank just outside the top results or struggle to compete with stronger domains, links are often the fastest way to close that gap. Using an SEO tool alongside link building can help track your progress.
If you want help earning high quality links without managing outreach yourself, Respona’s done for you link building service is built exactly for that.
