This episode is part of the AI Summary series covering the AI Search Manual chapter by chapter. Chapter 17 explores how to evaluate and select agencies and vendors for Generative Engine Optimization in an era where traditional SEO metrics no longer tell the full story.

The discussion highlights what separates GEO-ready partners from keyword-era agencies, from technical depth in vector search and Retrieval-Augmented Generation to the ability to engineer content that AI systems can parse, synthesize, and cite. We cover the importance of multi-platform expertise, real examples of AI citation optimization, and why measuring GEO performance requires looking beyond rankings to brand visibility across AI search environments.

The episode also examines what red flags to avoid in vendor pitches, what questions to ask about strategy and integration, and how forward-looking agencies are preparing for a future where AI answers dominate over links.

Read the full chapter at ipullrank.com/ai-search-manual