The short answer
In India, published AI SEO and GEO retainers commonly range from about ₹25,000 to ₹1,50,000+ per month. One Bengaluru agency, for example, lists GEO and AEO tiers from ₹25,000–45,000 for local businesses up to ₹1,50,000+ for enterprise programmes (OneCity). International agencies typically quote USD 2,500–10,000 a month for small and mid-size businesses (Commerce Pundit).
At AISEOAgency.in, a one-time AI Visibility Audit is ₹14,999, Growth is ₹34,999 a month and Scale is ₹49,999 a month, all plus GST.
What drives the price
- Number of pages to create or re-engineer each month.
- Prompts and engines tracked. Testing 150 prompts across seven engines every month is real work.
- Markets and languages. Hindi, regional-language or US/UK targeting adds research and content.
- Competition. A Delhi law firm needs more authority-building than a Sagar clinic.
- Digital PR. Earning mentions on publications AI cites is often the most expensive part.
- Regulated topics. Finance and healthcare content needs expert and compliance review.
Common pricing models
| Model | Typical use | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| One-time audit | Baseline and roadmap before committing | Audits with no prompt testing — just a generic SEO report |
| Monthly retainer | Ongoing optimisation and reporting | Long lock-ins; unclear monthly deliverables |
| Add-on to SEO | Existing SEO clients adding AI visibility | “AI” added to the invoice with nothing new delivered |
| Performance-based | Rare; tied to leads or citations | Metrics the agency can game, or vanity “mentions” |
What each budget should buy
| Monthly budget | Realistic scope |
|---|---|
| Under ₹25,000 | Local SEO and Google Business Profile upkeep, light AEO fixes. Little or no prompt tracking. |
| ₹25,000–60,000 | One city or niche, 30–50 prompts tracked, 2–4 pages a month, schema and listings, monthly report. |
| ₹60,000–1,50,000 | Several markets or a competitive category, 100+ prompts, 6–10 pages a month, outreach and PR. |
| ₹1,50,000+ | Multi-brand or enterprise, regulated content, CRM-linked revenue reporting, dedicated team. |
Red flags in cheap AI SEO
- Hundreds of AI-generated pages a month with no human editing.
- Guaranteed ChatGPT recommendations.
- No baseline, no prompt list, and reports that only show keyword rankings.
- Backlink “packages” from unnamed networks.
How to get value for money
- Pay for an audit first and insist on a measured baseline across engines.
- Agree the prompt list in writing.
- Ask for a sample monthly report before you sign.
- Keep the first commitment to three months, then review against the baseline.
Frequently asked questions
Is AI SEO more expensive than regular SEO?
Usually a little, because it adds prompt research, multi-engine testing and more outreach. A good AI SEO programme should include the classic SEO you would otherwise buy separately.
Can a small business afford AI SEO?
Yes. A one-time audit plus fixes your own team implements is a low-cost start. Many local businesses then move to a modest monthly programme.
Should I pay GST on SEO services?
Yes. Digital marketing services in India attract GST, currently 18%. Check the current rate with your accountant.
