What is the difference between AEO and GEO?

AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is specifically about getting cited as a source when AI engines answer questions. GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is broader — optimizing for inclusion in any AI-generated output, including product recommendations, comparisons, lists, and summaries. AEO is a subset of GEO.

Do I still need traditional SEO?

Yes. AEO doesn't replace SEO — it complements it. Traditional Google search still drives the majority of organic traffic for most B2B and ecommerce businesses. AI Overviews appear on roughly 47% of searches, but they often pull from the top SEO results. Strong SEO foundations make AEO 5-10x more effective.

How do you actually track AI citations?

We run a defined prompt set (30-100 queries depending on package) across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews on a weekly cadence. We log whether your brand is mentioned, where you appear in the response, what context, and which competitors are cited alongside or above you.

How long until I see results?

Faster than traditional SEO, slower than paid ads. Schema and structural fixes get reflected by AI engines within 2-4 weeks. Citation increases on existing pages: 4-8 weeks. New AEO content getting indexed and cited: 8-16 weeks. Compounding effects: 4-6 months.

What is the pricing for AEO services?

Three packages. Starter at $2,500/month for SMBs. Growth at $5,500/month for $5M-$25M brands. Enterprise from $12,500/month for $25M+ brands. Quarter-to-quarter contracts with no 12-month lock-ins. INR pricing available for India clients.

Will AI eventually replace traditional search?

For some use cases, yes. For others, no. Research-heavy queries increasingly happen in AI tools. Transactional queries still happen in Google. The right strategy is to optimize for both surfaces — your content engine produces material that ranks in SERPs AND gets cited by AI.

Local SEO Statistics 2026: 20+ Numbers That Matter

Every local SEO statistic worth citing in 2026, compiled from Google, BrightLocal, Semrush, SOCi and Statista research. Use them in your own content — a link back is appreciated.

Local search behavior

46% of all Google searches have local intent (Google) — roughly 3.9 billion local searches a day.
76% of people who search locally on mobile visit a business within 24 hours (Google).
“Near me” keyword variations carry about 7.1 million monthly US searches (Semrush), with 200M+ monthly near-me queries overall in early 2026.
900% — growth in mobile near-me searches over a recent two-year span (Google/Think with Google).
80% of US consumers search for a local business at least weekly; 32% daily (BrightLocal).

The Map Pack numbers

The Google Map Pack appears in ~93% of searches with local intent.
It captures roughly 44% of clicks on local results pages.
Businesses ranking in the local top 3 earn 126% more traffic and 93% more calls, clicks and direction requests than positions 4–10 (SOCi).
Businesses in the Map Pack average 993 backlinks (Semrush) — authority still decides local rankings.
Top-ranking Google Business Profiles average around 250 reviews (Localo).

AI is entering local search

45% of consumers now use ChatGPT or another AI tool for local business recommendations (BrightLocal) — up from ~6% a year earlier.
AI Overviews appear on a growing share of local queries, pulling from local business sites, review platforms and forums.

We do local SEO for real US businesses

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What the data says to do

Three moves follow directly from the numbers: optimize your Google Business Profile (it drives roughly a third of Map Pack ranking weight), build review velocity (recency beats volume), and earn links (993-backlink Map Pack average). Our guides: local SEO for Pittsburgh businesses, tracking local rankings, and our free GBP post scheduler.

Sources: Google/Think with Google; BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey 2026; Semrush 2026 keyword data; SOCi Local Visibility Index; Localo GBP research; Statista. Compiled July 2026.

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