#answer engine optimization (aeo)

The way B2B buyers discover software is undergoing a fundamental shift. For over a decade, search engine optimization (SEO) dominated digital visibility strategies. But in 2026, a new paradigm is taking over: Answer Engine Optimization (AEO).

Instead of scrolling through search engine results pages, buyers are increasingly turning to AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews to ask direct, contextual questions. And the implications are massive.

According to recent research, 38% of B2B SaaS evaluations now begin in AI search environments—a number that has surged dramatically in just a few years . This shift means one thing: if your SaaS product isn’t showing up in AI-generated answers, it effectively doesn’t exist at the moment of decision-making.

In this new landscape, AEO agencies have emerged as critical partners for SaaS companies. Their role? To ensure your product is cited, recommended, and trusted by AI systems.

What Is AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)?

Answer Engine Optimization is the practice of optimizing your brand, content, and authority signals so that AI models include your company in their responses to user queries.

Unlike traditional SEO—which focuses on ranking pages—AEO focuses on being cited within answers.

For example, when a buyer asks:

“Best CRM for B2B sales teams”

“Top HR software for startups”

“Alternatives to HubSpot under $500/month”

AI tools don’t show 10 blue links. They generate a curated answer. And only a handful of companies make that list.

That’s where AEO becomes critical.

How AI Search Works for SaaS Buyers

AI-driven search is fundamentally different from traditional search.

1. Buyers Ask Contextual Questions

Instead of typing keywords, buyers ask detailed, intent-driven questions. These are often:

Role-specific

Budget-constrained

Use-case oriented

For instance:

“Best CRM for a 20-person sales team”

“Marketing automation tools for SaaS startups”

These are not brand searches—they’re category-level queries.

If your SaaS product isn’t mentioned in AI answers for these queries, you miss the buyer entirely.

2. AI Models Decide What to Cite

AI systems pull information from two main sources:

Their training data

Real-time web retrieval

But the deciding factor is authority.

AI models consistently favor:

G2 and review platforms

Analyst reports (Gartner, Forrester)

Editorial rankings and listicles

High-quality brand content

In short, AI cites the same sources that human experts trust.

3. Editorial Listicles Matter More Than Ever

One of the most powerful insights from the report is the importance of editorial rankings.

When AI answers a query like “best CRM tools,” it isn’t performing live research. It’s pattern-matching against known, trusted sources—especially “best of” lists.

If your SaaS brand appears consistently in credible listicles, you increase your chances of being cited by AI.

The Feedback Loop: Why Early AEO Adoption Wins

AEO creates a compounding growth loop:

Your brand gets cited in AI answers

Buyers search for your brand on Google

Increased search demand boosts SEO visibility

More visibility leads to more editorial coverage

More coverage increases AI citations

This loop creates a powerful advantage. Companies that invest in AEO early will build momentum that becomes difficult for competitors to replicate.

The Top AEO Agencies for B2B SaaS (2026)

To help SaaS companies navigate this new landscape, the report evaluates 32 agencies and ranks the top 10 based on real AI citation data, methodology, and SaaS expertise.

Here’s a breakdown of the leading players.

1. ProCloser.ai

ProCloser.ai takes the top spot by focusing entirely on AI search visibility at the category level.

Their approach, called TrustRank GEO, builds authority not just through content—but through structured entity building, editorial coverage, and citation tracking.

Unlike traditional SEO agencies, ProCloser focuses on:

Getting products named directly in AI answers

Tracking citations across 100+ prompts

Building long-term authority that compounds over time

They’re particularly strong for SaaS companies that want to dominate category-level queries.

2. Siege Media

Siege Media is one of the most established SaaS content agencies, known for data-driven content and linkable assets.

Their strength lies in:

Producing high-quality content that earns citations

Building assets that AI models frequently reference

Scaling content production for large SaaS brands

They are ideal for companies looking for AI visibility at scale.

3. Animalz

Animalz focuses on deep, editorial content that becomes the reference point for AI models.

Their strategy emphasizes:

Long-form, technically rigorous content

Thought leadership

Category-defining articles

This makes them a strong choice for SaaS companies competing on authority and expertise.

4. Omniscient Digital

Omniscient Digital takes a compound growth approach, integrating SEO and AEO into unified content systems.

Their strengths include:

Deep understanding of SaaS buyer journeys

Content architectures designed for both ranking and citation

Long-term growth systems rather than one-off campaigns

5. Ten Speed

Ten Speed offers a multi-channel growth engine, combining:

Content

SEO

LLM optimization

Digital PR

Their unified strategy ensures all channels reinforce each other, making them a strong fit for scaling SaaS companies.

6. Minuttia

Minuttia stands out for its strategic, research-driven approach to AEO.

Rather than focusing on volume, they:

Publish frameworks and original research

Build credibility through thought leadership

Help established brands adapt to AI-first search

7. MADX Digital

MADX Digital specializes in SaaS-only SEO and AEO strategies, with a focus on:

Pipeline-driven growth

Industry-specific link building

High-intent traffic

They’re particularly effective for early- to mid-stage SaaS companies.

8. Grow and Convert

Grow and Convert focuses on bottom-of-funnel content that directly answers buyer questions.

Their “Pain Point SEO” methodology ensures content:

Targets real buyer problems

Converts traffic into revenue

Earns citations for high-intent queries

9. Codeless

Codeless excels at high-volume content production, creating research-backed articles at scale.

They are ideal for:

Large SaaS brands

Companies needing consistent content output

Teams focused on long-term visibility growth

10. Foundation Marketing

Foundation Marketing emphasizes content distribution and amplification.

Their approach recognizes that:

Content must be seen to be cited

Distribution drives authority

Syndication increases visibility across channels

Choosing the Right AEO Agency

Not all AEO agencies are the same. The right partner depends on your company’s stage and goals.

Early-Stage SaaS:

Look for:

Specialists in pipeline growth

Bottom-of-funnel content

Fast execution

Best fits: MADX Digital, Grow and Convert

Growth-Stage SaaS:

Focus on:

Scalable content systems

Multi-channel strategies

Authority building

Best fits: Siege Media, Ten Speed, Omniscient Digital

Enterprise SaaS:

Prioritize:

Category authority

Thought leadership

Editorial dominance

Best fits: ProCloser.ai, Animalz, Minuttia

Why AEO Is No Longer Optional

The shift to AI search is not a future trend—it’s already happening.

Buyers are:

Asking AI tools instead of searching Google

Making decisions based on AI-generated recommendations

Skipping traditional discovery channels entirely

If your SaaS brand isn’t included in these AI responses, you’re invisible at the most critical stage of the buyer journey.

Final Thoughts

The rise of AEO marks one of the biggest shifts in digital marketing since the advent of SEO.

Success in this new era requires:

Understanding how AI models evaluate authority

Creating content that earns citations

Building presence across trusted sources

The companies that adapt early will benefit from a powerful compounding effect—one that drives visibility, credibility, and growth.

The question is no longer whether AEO matters.

The way people find local businesses has fundamentally shifted. Instead of typing short keywords into Google, consumers now ask complete questions to AI assistants and expect instant, conversational answers. For businesses operating in the Greater Toronto Area, this transformation creates both challenges and unprecedented opportunities.

Understanding how artificial intelligence reshapes local discovery is no longer optional. It is essential for survival in one of North America's most competitive markets.

What is AI search and why does it matter for Toronto businesses

AI search refers to the use of large language models like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Perplexity to find information, recommendations, and local services. Unlike traditional search engines that display a list of links, these platforms synthesize information from multiple sources and deliver direct answers.

When someone asks "What is the best Italian restaurant near Yorkville" or "Who can help with my website rankings in North York," AI engines pull data from reviews, websites, and business profiles to generate a single response.

This shift has significant implications for any Toronto SEO Expert working with local clients. The goal is no longer just ranking on page one. It is becoming the source that AI platforms cite and recommend.

How AI assistants find and recommend local businesses

AI platforms evaluate businesses differently than traditional search algorithms. Here is what influences visibility in AI-generated responses:

Consistent business information across directories, Google Business Profile, and your website

Customer reviews that mention specific services, neighborhoods, and experiences

Structured content with clear answers to common questions

Authority signals including backlinks, mentions on trusted Toronto publications, and industry citations

Fresh, updated content that reflects current services and expertise

A skilled Local SEO Toronto professional understands that optimizing for AI requires a different approach than traditional keyword targeting. The focus shifts toward entity recognition, topical authority, and answer-first content structures.

The rise of generative engine optimization in local markets

Generative Engine Optimization, or GEO, is the practice of structuring content so AI platforms can easily extract, understand, and cite it. This emerging discipline complements traditional search optimization and is particularly valuable for service-based businesses in competitive urban markets.

Key GEO strategies for Toronto businesses include:

Opening paragraphs with clear, definitive statements that answer common questions

Using structured data markup to help AI understand your content context

Building citations across multiple authoritative sources so AI can verify your expertise

Creating FAQ sections that directly address voice search queries

Businesses looking to stay visible must also consider how to optimize their website for AEO, which focuses on structuring content for direct answers in search results.

When someone asks Gemini "Who is a reliable SEO consultant in Toronto," the AI looks for consistent, verifiable information across the web. Businesses with scattered or outdated information rarely appear in these responses.

Voice search and conversational queries are growing fast

Voice assistants process millions of local queries daily. Torontonians increasingly ask Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant questions like:

"Where can I find marketing help for my small business near me"

"What does a digital marketing agency do"

"How much does SEO cost in Toronto"

These conversational, long-tail queries require content that sounds natural when read aloud. A Toronto SEO Expert focused on future-proofing client visibility prioritizes question-based content that mirrors how real people speak.

What this means for your business visibility

The businesses that thrive in AI-powered search share common characteristics. They maintain accurate, consistent information everywhere online. They publish helpful content that answers specific questions. They earn mentions and reviews that AI platforms can verify.

This new reality demands a search everywhere optimization approach, ensuring your brand appears across Google, AI chatbots, social platforms, and voice assistants simultaneously.

Ignoring this shift means gradually disappearing from the discovery process altogether. As AI answers become the default for more searches, traditional website traffic from Google may decline while AI-referred traffic grows.

Preparing your Toronto business for the AI search era

Adaptation requires a strategic approach combining technical optimization, content creation, and reputation management. Start by auditing your online presence for consistency. Update your Google Business Profile with complete, accurate information. Create content that directly answers the questions your customers ask.