How do I choose an AEO provider for my med spa?

Start with proof, not promises. Generalist agencies increasingly list 'GEO/AEO included' as a vague line item with no AI case studies. A real specialist will show you named, reproducible examples: a clinic that went from absent to named in the AI answer, with a live search you can re-run yourself. Ask to see one before you sign anything.

Understand the pricing category. Standalone AI-visibility programs generally run a few thousand dollars a month; if someone offers 'AEO' for a couple hundred dollars as an add-on to an SEO package, it's usually a thin checklist, not real work. Know whether you're buying a one-time foundation plus a monthly program, or a pure retainer, and what each actually delivers.

Be wary of guarantees. No honest provider controls what AI assistants say (those answers shift constantly), so a 'recommended by AI in 30 days' promise is a sales device, not a reflection of how AI works. Look instead for risk-reversal about the work: month-to-month, no long contract, and billing tied to deliverables you can verify.

Insist on exclusivity and an operator. Because AI tends to name one clinic per city, a provider who also works with your direct competitor is a conflict of interest. Ask for one-clinic-per-city. And confirm they actually do the work for you (an operator) rather than handing you a dashboard and wishing you luck.