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Hiring an AI SEO Agency: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Partner

Shalini Murthy
December 2, 2025
Mins Read
Table of Contents

Introduction

You’ve likely felt the frustration of watching your SEO efforts fall short, despite countless hours spent optimizing content, tweaking keywords, and monitoring rankings. 

Fortunately, you’re not alone. 

With competition rising and search shifting faster than ever, more than 58% of SEOs say the landscape has become tougher because of AI’s arrival. 

At the same time, the promise of AI is undeniable. A HubSpot report shows 85% of marketers believe generative AI improves content quality, yet most companies still struggle to find partners who know how to use it the right way. The gap between AI’s potential and agencies’ actual capabilities has never been wider.

That’s why choosing the right AI SEO agency matters more than ever. The wrong partner, someone still clinging to outdated tactics, can trap you in a cycle of underperformance. However, the right one blends data, strategy, and AI-driven insights to unlock growth you can measure.

In this guide, we’ll break down the key questions you should ask to ensure you’re partnering with an AI SEO agency that’s right for you.

How to Hire the Right AI SEO Partner

An AI SEO agency leverages artificial intelligence to optimize search engine strategies and improve website rankings. AI-powered tools automate tasks like keyword research, content optimization, and backlink analysis. 

These agencies create tailored, data-driven SEO strategies that adapt to algorithm changes in real-time. By using AI to analyze search trends and predict performance, they deliver scalable, results-driven solutions for businesses looking to enhance their online presence. 

AI SEO agencies offer a more efficient, intelligent approach to SEO, helping businesses achieve better results with less manual effort.

Research and Markets projects the global SEO industry to grow from USD 89.1 billion in 2024 to USD 143.9 billion by 2030, underscoring that competition will intensify, technical SEO will only become more critical, and selecting the right AI-SEO partner has never mattered more.

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The key to finding a partner that truly understands your business goals is asking the right questions. It helps evaluate an agency's expertise, approach, and helps you find an AI SEO agency that can align its strategies with your long-term objectives and deliver measurable results.

Below are the critical questions that will guide you in choosing the right AI SEO partner, ensuring you select an agency that can drive sustainable growth for your business.

Question 1: What business outcome do you guarantee (not just rankings)?

When evaluating an AI SEO agency, this question reveals whether the agency focuses on metrics that actually move your business forward. Rankings alone don’t guarantee growth, and an agency that emphasizes business outcomes shows that they understand how SEO contributes to revenue, pipeline, and qualified demand. 

This question also helps you assess whether their strategy connects AI insights to meaningful performance improvements, like conversion rates, lead quality, and search visibility across high-intent keywords.

A strong agency will frame SEO success around measurable outcomes and provide clarity on how AI enhances predictability and performance. They should offer realistic targets, explain how those targets are achieved, and outline how they tie back to your commercial goals. 

For example, instead of saying, “We’ll improve your rankings,” the agency should confidently outline goals like, “We aim to increase qualified organic leads by 30% in the next six months by improving topic authority, optimizing high-intent pages, and expanding AI-optimized content clusters.”

Also read → How to drive organic growth with AI-powered SEO services

Question 2: Which clients or industries have you helped with AI SEO, and what were the results?

Understanding an agency’s past work is one of the strongest indicators of how well they’ll perform for your business. This question helps you understand whether an agency has real, proven experience applying AI SEO strategies in environments similar to yours. 

Industry familiarity often means they already understand your search landscape, competitive pressures, and buyer behavior, which leads to faster, more accurate execution. You also learn how well their AI-driven processes actually perform in the real world. 

If an agency has consistently used AI-powered workflows, like automated keyword clustering, content intelligence models, or predictive ranking analysis to produce measurable results, it shows that their methodology is reliable rather than experimental. 

A strong agency will share specific results, the strategy behind them, and how AI contributed to the outcome. For example, they might say, “We helped a B2B SaaS company increase organic traffic by 40% in three months using AI-driven keyword clustering and automated topic mapping to strengthen their authority across core product categories.”

Question 3: What tools, data sources, and AI models do you use in your SEO process?

The right partner should be able to clearly explain the tools and data sources they rely on, and how those systems enhance strategy, accuracy, and execution. Vague answers often signal that the agency’s “AI” is either minimal or not integrated meaningfully into the workflow.

By asking about AI models and data sources, you also uncover how the agency approaches prediction, automation, and scaling. High-performing agencies typically use AI for keyword clustering, content intelligence, SERP modeling, and forecasting, not just for generating content. 

Their ability to articulate these components reveals how mature their AI operations really are. You should expect a straightforward breakdown of what tools they use, why they use them, and how each one supports outcomes tied to your business goals. 

They could say, for example, “We use a combination of LLM-based models for content intelligence, proprietary clustering tools for topic mapping, and third-party platforms for SERP prediction to ensure accuracy and faster execution.”

Question 4: How do you integrate AI SEO tasks into our existing marketing or SEO team?

Asking about integration processes helps you understand how well an agency can collaborate with your internal resources. A strong AI SEO partner won’t operate in isolation, but they’ll integrate their workflows with your content, product, and marketing teams to create a cohesive strategy. 

Their approach should complement the way your team already works, not disrupt it. The goal is to ensure that AI accelerates your team’s output instead of creating extra work or silos.

Look for clarity on communication processes, collaboration rhythms, and how they align AI insights with your team’s existing content and SEO roadmap. For example, an agency might explain, “We collaborate directly with your in-house content team to ensure every page meets AI-optimized standards and is updated as search algorithms evolve.”

Also read → The Ultimate Guide to AI SEO Agencies: What to Expect in 2026

Question 5: What’s your approach to content quality, human vs AI output, and review process?

This question highlights how seriously an agency treats content quality, an essential factor in the success of any AI-driven SEO strategy. 

A credible partner will use AI to accelerate production, but not at the expense of accuracy, depth, or brand alignment. Their process should balance AI efficiency with human oversight to ensure your content resonates with your audience and stands up to search engine scrutiny.

Recent data reveals 19% of content in Google’s top 20 results is now AI-generated, demonstrating the importance of pairing AI tools with rigorous human review. It is best to treat AI as a tool within a larger content framework, while relying on experienced editors and subject-matter experts for quality control.

A dependable agency will be transparent about how they use AI at each stage and how human review strengthens the final output, such as “AI generates the initial draft and optimization recommendations, and our editorial team reviews every piece to ensure accuracy, depth, and alignment with your brand voice.”

Question 6: How do you handle technical SEO, site health, future algorithm changes, and AI search readiness?

Technical SEO is the foundation of performance, and an AI SEO partner should be able to diagnose issues quickly, automate monitoring, and ensure your site meets evolving performance standards like Core Web Vitals. Agencies that take technical SEO seriously typically deliver more sustainable and resilient results.

This question also reveals how proactive they are about algorithm changes. Search is shifting rapidly toward AI-generated results, and your agency should be preparing your site for these new search experiences, not reacting after traffic declines. 

A strong partner will blend AI-powered diagnostics with strategic planning to keep your site competitive as search engines evolve. Look for clarity around technical audits, update cadences, and how they future-proof your site for AI-driven search experiences. 

For instance, an agency might say, “We continuously monitor site health using AI-powered crawlers, optimize for Core Web Vitals, and adjust your SEO strategy as soon as new search features or algorithm shifts appear.”

Question 7: What metrics will you report, how often, and how do they tie to our goals?

Good AI SEO partners don’t overwhelm you with vanity metrics; they focus on the numbers that reflect real progress toward your commercial goals. Their reporting should give you clear visibility into whether your investment is moving the needle on qualified traffic, conversions, and search visibility.

When reporting aligns with pipeline, revenue potential, or customer acquisition rather than just rankings or impressions, you know they’re approaching SEO strategically. 

A mature AI-driven agency will use predictive analytics, performance dashboards, and segmented reporting to track meaningful improvements over time. You should expect structured reporting cadences, clarity on KPIs, and a direct link between metrics and your business objectives. 

An appropriate answer would be, for example, “We provide monthly reports focused on organic conversions, lead quality, and the performance of high-intent keywords tied directly to your revenue goals.”

Question 8: What is your pricing model, scope, deliverables, and what happens if milestones aren’t met?

This question helps you understand exactly what you’re paying for and whether the agency operates with transparency and accountability. The right partner will outline their pricing structure clearly, whether it’s a retainer, project-based model, or performance-based agreement, and specify what’s included so you can evaluate value as well as cost.

When an agency defines concrete deliverables and establishes expectations around timelines, it shows they have a predictable, structured process. Equally important is understanding how they handle missed milestones; for instance, agencies that offer remedies or adjustments demonstrate commitment to long-term trust and performance.

An agency that says something like, “We work on a monthly retainer with clearly defined deliverables, such as content assets, technical fixes, and reporting. If a deliverable is missed, we adjust the next month’s scope or offer a partial credit.” would be the right choice.

Question 9: How will you scale or adjust the strategy as our business or search landscape evolves?

SEO performance shifts as product lines expand, markets mature, and competitors change. A strong agency will be equipped to adapt strategies quickly, using real-time data and predictive insights to keep your search presence aligned with evolving business priorities.

According to a 2025 survey, 59% of SEO professionals expect backlinks to have more influence on rankings in the years ahead, reinforcing the need for an AI SEO partner who continuously evaluates these patterns, tests new opportunities, and adjusts your SEO roadmap before performance dips.

In this case, prioritise agencies that regularly revisit goals, refine keyword clusters, re-optimize pages, and adjust content velocity based on new market signals. 

They should provide structured examples, such as “We conduct quarterly strategy reviews and evolve your content and technical roadmap based on emerging competitors, seasonality, and shifts in AI-driven search features.”

Question 10: Why should we choose you now, and what differentiates you from other AI SEO agencies?

Many agencies claim to leverage AI, but only a small percentage integrate it in a way that moves key business metrics. The right partner will articulate how its approach delivers faster insights, higher-quality content, or more predictable performance compared to others offering similar services.

Differentiation often comes from proprietary processes, unique AI workflows, depth of technical SEO expertise, or a proven ability to drive revenue outcomes, not just rankings. Agencies that can explain their methodology clearly usually have a repeatable, data-driven system rather than relying on generic tools.

They should answer with specific value propositions, specialized strengths, and tangible reasons their approach aligns with your goals. For example, “We’ve developed proprietary AI models tailored to B2B companies and offer a 30-day strategy overhaul to ensure your roadmap is aligned with your commercial goals from day one.”

Quick Checklist: Evaluate AI SEO Agencies

Many SEO professionals note in industry discussions that the strongest agencies today are the ones evolving their workflows around AI-search behavior, structured data, and context-rich content formats. The checklist below helps you quickly spot whether an agency reflects this newer, more effective approach.

Mark “Yes” only when the agency provides clear, confident, and verifiable answers.

  1. Yes / No: Do they tie SEO performance to tangible business outcomes?
  2. Yes / No: Have they driven results for companies similar to yours?
  3. Yes / No: Do they explain their AI models and data sources clearly?
  4. Yes / No: Can they work seamlessly with your internal team?
  5. Yes / No: Is their content process a blend of AI efficiency and human oversight?
  6. Yes / No: Are they strong in technical SEO and AI-search readiness?
  7. Yes / No: Do their reports track KPIs that reflect growth and demand quality?
  8. Yes / No: Is their pricing transparent with defined deliverables?
  9. Yes / No: Can they adjust strategy proactively as things change?
  10. Yes / No: Do they offer a clear differentiator that aligns with your goals?

A high-performing AI SEO partner will score well across most categories, but what matters even more is where they score well. This is how you can interpret your score:

  • 8–10 “Yes” answers: This agency demonstrates strong alignment with outcome-focused SEO, mature AI systems, transparent processes, and strategic adaptability. They are likely capable of supporting sustainable, long-term organic growth.
  • 6–7 “Yes” answers: The agency shows promise but may have gaps in areas like reporting depth, technical capabilities, or AI transparency. These gaps aren’t always deal-breakers, but you should conduct deeper questioning before committing.
  • Below 6 “Yes” answers: This usually indicates a partner with unclear processes, insufficient AI integration, or limited ability to drive meaningful business outcomes. These agencies may deliver activity, but not necessarily impact.

The goal is not to check every box, but to gain confidence in which agency aligns best with your long-term goals. This checklist helps you quickly see which agencies have the expertise, AI maturity, and strategic alignment to be trusted AI SEO partners.

What Makes RevvGrowth the Ideal AI SEO Partner

Choosing the right AI SEO agency is about partnering with experts who understand how to turn AI-powered insights into revenue, visibility, and sustainable growth. 

RevvGrowth uses proprietary AI-led systems to map search intent, identify high-value keyword opportunities, and optimize content for visibility across traditional SERPs and emerging AI-driven search experiences. The result is a more efficient, predictable, and performance-driven SEO engine, without the guesswork that usually slows teams down.

Case Study: Atlan

Atlan, a fast-growing SaaS company, had a strong product and growing demand, but their organic visibility wasn’t keeping pace. They struggled to capture high-intent search traffic and needed a scalable SEO engine that could support long-term growth while directly influencing the pipeline.

RevvGrowth worked with Atlan to rebuild their SEO strategy using AI-led systems and revenue-focused search frameworks.

Here’s what RevvGrowth implemented:

  • AI-powered keyword clustering to identify high-value, revenue-generating search themes.
  • Topic authority mapping to expand visibility across bottom-funnel and mid-funnel search categories.
  • Intelligent content optimization using AI models to refine depth, structure, and search relevance.
  • Internal linking and site architecture improvements to support stronger ranking signals and crawl efficiency.
  • AI-informed opportunity analysis to identify emerging search trends and competitive gaps before others saw them.

These initiatives helped Atlan shift from fragmented keyword targeting to a scalable program tied directly to demand quality and commercial impact.

The results:

  • $4M in net-new revenue sourced directly from SEO
  • $12M in total revenue influenced by SEO-driven content
  • 90% of closed-won deals engaged with at least one SEO content asset
  • Significant lifts in visibility across high-intent product and category keywords
  • A repeatable, AI-informed SEO engine that continues to scale with their growth

This case demonstrates the impact of pairing AI-driven workflows with strategic SEO expertise: the outcome isn’t just improved rankings; it’s accelerated revenue, stronger search authority, and a more predictable growth engine.

You can read the full case study here → How Atlan scaled revenue through AI-driven SEO 

At RevvGrowth, the focus has always been on building SEO programs that connect directly to business outcomes, not just higher keyword rankings. Every strategy is powered by advanced AI workflows, refined by domain experts, and aligned with your long-term goals.

If you’re exploring how AI-driven SEO could strengthen your pipeline, improve visibility, and create more predictable growth, our team would be happy to walk you through what that could look like for your business. Book a free consultation call with RevvGrowth to learn more about our AI SEO approach.

Conclusion

When you ask the right questions, it becomes much easier to distinguish agencies that lean on generic AI tools from those that apply real intelligence, proven frameworks, and outcome-driven processes to create lasting impact.

With the right partner, AI-driven SEO becomes predictable, scalable, and directly tied to revenue and demand quality.

This is the philosophy behind RevvGrowth’s approach. Our team blends advanced AI workflows with deep SEO expertise to build programs that influence pipeline, improve search visibility, and create sustainable competitive advantages for brands that want to win in modern search.

If you’re exploring how an AI SEO agency could support your growth, schedule a strategy call with RevvGrowth. We’ll show you what a tailored, revenue-aligned approach could look like, and discuss how to build an SEO engine that grows with you.

FAQs

What is an AI SEO agency?

An AI SEO agency utilizes artificial intelligence to enhance search engine optimization efforts. By automating tasks like keyword research, content optimization, and ranking analysis, AI tools enable agencies to offer more precise, data-driven SEO strategies. These agencies use AI to analyze search trends, predict algorithm updates, and deliver customized strategies that improve website visibility and organic traffic.

How can AI help improve my website’s SEO?

AI helps improve SEO by automating repetitive tasks, such as content optimization, keyword analysis, and backlink tracking. AI tools can also provide real-time insights, optimize content for user intent, and predict trends that align with evolving search engine algorithms. This results in faster, more effective optimization and a higher chance of ranking in search results.

What services does an AI SEO agency offer?

AI SEO agencies offer a variety of services, including automated keyword research, content optimization, on-page SEO, technical SEO, backlink analysis, and performance tracking. They also provide AI-driven analytics to refine strategies, identify high-performing keywords, and ensure your website stays optimized as search engine algorithms evolve.

How does AI automate SEO processes?

AI automates SEO by using algorithms and machine learning models to handle tasks like content generation, keyword research, performance monitoring, and reporting. These tools analyze large sets of data, identify optimization opportunities, and implement changes without manual intervention, significantly reducing time and effort spent on routine SEO tasks.

What are the benefits of AI in SEO strategies?

The benefits of AI in SEO include enhanced efficiency, data-driven insights, and real-time adjustments. AI-powered tools optimize content creation, streamline keyword research, and automate reporting, allowing businesses to focus on strategy. AI also helps improve targeting accuracy, adapts to algorithm changes faster, and generates more relevant content that matches user intent.

What makes an AI SEO agency different from a traditional SEO agency?

An AI SEO agency differs from a traditional SEO agency by leveraging artificial intelligence to automate tasks and provide real-time data insights. This allows AI SEO agencies to implement strategies faster, optimize content more precisely, and continuously adjust to changing search engine algorithms. In contrast, traditional SEO agencies may rely more on manual processes and human-driven analysis.

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Shalini Murthy

Content Lead

Shalini Murthy is a B2B SaaS writer and strategist with over eight years of SEO and content marketing experience. You can connect with her on LinkedIn. When not immersed in the world of words, she enjoys a good coffee, reading books, and spending time with her family.