In short
- Before you start looking, describe the process or question you want the agency to address.
- Ask for a written scope and a fixed price before commissioning any work.
- Clarify how data will be processed, which steps require human approval and how existing software will be connected.
- Check references and claims yourself. No one can guarantee a position in AI‑generated answers.
How to assess an AI agency
Whether you need automation, AI agents, consulting or AI visibility, the key question is whether you can understand and assess the proposal before commissioning the work. These criteria will help you compare agencies.
- Clear scope and process: The proposal states what work will be done, what outcomes are planned and how you will work together.
- Fixed price agreed in writing beforehand: You know the price for the agreed scope before you commission the work.
- Integration rather than replacement: The solution takes account of your existing software and does not require an unjustified switch.
- Data protection: Data processing, EU server locations and a data processing agreement are clarified beforehand.
- Human approval and records: You know which steps require human approval and which activities will be recorded for review.
- Sources and traceability: Claims and outputs can be traced to their basis and checked when needed.
- Verifiable references: You can verify cited projects or contacts with the consent of those involved.
- Named point of contact: A named person is responsible for questions and decisions.
A proposal does not need to settle every technical detail in advance. It should, however, make clear which assumptions remain open and how they will be resolved before implementation. This lets you compare the actual scope of work, not just the price.
Questions to ask in an initial conversation
Bring a specific process from your company. Explain which software is involved, where information comes from and who currently makes decisions. Then ask about the proposed approach, not just the AI tool to be used.
- Which specific problem would you address first, and why?
- What is included in the proposal, and what is explicitly excluded?
- What result will we be able to assess at the end?
- Which of our existing systems and data sources would need to be connected?
- What data will be processed, where will it be processed and who will have access?
- Which steps will require human approval?
- How will actions, errors and changes be logged?
- How do you substantiate your claims, and how can we check the references you cite?
- When will we receive a written scope and a fixed price?
- Who will be our named point of contact, and how can we end the engagement if necessary?
Keep a written record of the answers. If several departments are affected, involve the people who will use or be responsible for the process. A technically suitable solution must also fit day-to-day work.
Warning signs
One unanswered question is not, on its own, a reason to rule out an agency. It becomes a concern when important questions remain unanswered even after you ask again. Pay particular attention to these claims and contract terms:
- A position or specific outcome in AI‑generated answers is guaranteed.
- You are told that AI will handle everything on its own, with no explanation of oversight or approvals.
- The price and scope remain unclear before the contract is signed.
- A long-term commitment is required without a clear way to end it.
- It is unclear where your data will be processed.
- You are pressured to decide with phrases such as “this week only”.
- References or logos are shown without evidence that their use or the claims they support are authorised.
Ask for a written answer where anything is unclear. For data access, ongoing costs and termination in particular, do not rely on a verbal assurance.
How much does an AI agency cost?
For automation projects, the price depends on the scope. Relevant factors include the process involved, the integrations needed and the checks planned. We do not give price ranges that we cannot substantiate. A fixed price based on a scope agreed in writing is common. Compare proposals only when you know what each one includes.
For one-off GEO audits, we reviewed offers from 23 providers in Europe in October 2026. The observed prices below relate only to this type of offer. An audit is not the same as ongoing support or implementing changes.
| Offer | One-off price, excluding VAT |
|---|---|
| --- | --- |
| Automated checks | 0 to 50 euros |
| Supported starter audits | around 300 to 600 euros |
| Standard audits | 1,000 to 2,000 euros |
| Mid-range offers | 3,500 to 5,000 euros |
| Large agencies | from 5,000 euros, in some cases from 9,800 euros |
Based on our observations, ongoing agency support costs around 700 to 3,000 euros per month, and tools cost 29 to 500 euros per month. As at October 2026, based on our own observations; we cannot confirm that these figures apply generally. Check current prices and services directly with the relevant provider or manufacturer. For every proposal, ask whether analysis, recommendations and implementation are charged separately.
How to check claims and references
You do not need to be able to develop a technical solution yourself to assess a proposal. Ask for evidence relevant to your planned work and record anything that remains unclear.
- Contact a reference: Ask for a reference contact if the person concerned has agreed to be contacted. Ask about the task, the working relationship and the outcome.
- Review a sample deliverable: Ask to see a report or an example process. Check whether the sources, assumptions and next steps are clear.
- Check the company: Look at its legal notice for its registered address and company register details, and establish which entity you would contract with.
- Cross-check claims: Ask ChatGPT or Google about the agency and compare what you find with verifiable sources. An AI‑generated answer alone is not evidence.
If an agency does not name clients publicly, that alone does not mean it is unsuitable. Instead, ask what examples of its work it can show without disclosing confidential data.
How we apply these criteria at L&L Synergy
We are an AI agency based in Vienna. Your point of contact is our founder, Robert Lucea. We agree the scope and fixed price in writing beforehand. For automation and AI agents, we focus on connecting existing software rather than replacing it as a matter of course. We include human approval for relevant steps.
We process data in the EU and use a data processing agreement. You can read about how we handle data on our AI data protection page. You can check what we say publicly about ourselves on our About us page. We do not name clients or claim references here. Details of our offer for assessing your AI visibility are on the linked page. You should ask us about scope, data flows and responsibilities before commissioning any work, too.