TL;DR
- AI visibility tracking is now essential. If you're not monitoring ChatGPT, Perplexity, and AI Overviews, you're flying blind.
- Traditional SEO tools are adapting fast. Ahrefs, Semrush, and SE Ranking all added AI tracking in the past 12 months.
- Dedicated GEO tools like Otterly.ai and Profound offer deeper prompt-level insights but narrower scope.
- Content optimization still matters. Tools like Surfer and Clearscope now optimize for both Google and LLM citation.
- Pricing varies wildly: from free tiers to $500+/month enterprise plans. Match the tool to your actual needs.
Working with several SaaS companies at Growtika, each one gets pitched by a different AI Visibility or SEO tool. Somehow we found ourselves over the last year and a half trying plenty of different tools.
To save you time: I personally haven't found any tool I can rely on 100%. It's not the tools' fault. LLMs are tricky. You can check the same search on ChatGPT sitting next to your boss, and both of you will see totally different answers and results.
But until LLMs are fully figured out by the SEO industry, there are tools making the best solutions so far. I'm covering what I personally think is the most useful and for which action.
AI SEO tools won't get you the clients you want on their own. Content became 'cheap' since the rise of LLMs. Quality content became gold. If a click on an AI tool can get you a great article, your competitor will do the same click tomorrow - so who should get the rank? That's what we specialize in at Growtika. Reach out if you're curious about winning SEO and AI search. Until then, here are the tools we tested and what we think from our hands-on experience.
- Ahrefs Brand Radar leads for teams already invested in Ahrefs, with AI visibility built into existing workflows
- Dedicated GEO tools (Otterly, Profound, Peec AI) offer deeper citation analysis but require additional subscriptions
- SE Ranking provides the best value with AI tracking included in Pro plans starting at $119/month
- Content optimization tools (Surfer, Clearscope) now include AI visibility features in their core plans
- Enterprise pricing varies from $189/month (Clearscope) to $500+/month (Semrush full suite)
- Free tools exist but typically limit to 3-5 daily searches or basic brand checks
How We Evaluated These Tools
We didn't just sign up for free trials and screenshot dashboards. We ran each tool against the same set of 50 prompts across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Google AI Overviews for three SaaS companies in our portfolio. Then we compared what the tools reported against what we actually saw in the AI interfaces.
Our evaluation criteria:
| Criteria | What We Tested | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | Does reported visibility match actual AI responses? | Inaccurate data leads to wasted optimization effort |
| Coverage | Which AI platforms does it track? | ChatGPT alone isn't enough. Perplexity and AI Overviews matter. |
| Actionability | Does it tell you what to fix, not just what's broken? | Data without direction is just noise |
| Integration | Works with existing SEO stack? | Nobody wants another siloed dashboard |
| Pricing Transparency | Clear costs, no hidden fees? | Enterprise pricing shouldn't require a sales call for basic info |
Ahrefs Brand Radar
AI visibility tracking integrated with the SEO suite you already know
From
$129/mo
Included in Lite+
Ahrefs added Brand Radar in late 2024, and it's become our go-to for clients already using their platform. Tracks visibility across Google AI Overviews, AI Mode, ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and Perplexity. The real value is seeing AI visibility alongside traditional metrics in one dashboard.
Why We Like It
- No context switching. AI data lives next to your keyword rankings and backlink data.
- Prompt clustering shows which topics you're winning vs. losing in AI answers.
- Source analysis reveals which of your pages (or competitors') get cited.
Notable Limitations
- Requires existing Ahrefs subscription. Can't buy Brand Radar standalone.
- Lite plan limited to 750 tracked keywords; AI tracking shares this quota.
- Update frequency varies by platform (some daily, some weekly).
Best for: Teams already using Ahrefs who want AI visibility without adding another tool to their stack.
Otterly.ai
Deep prompt-level tracking and citation analysis for serious GEO work
From
$29/mo
Lite plan (10 prompts)
Otterly focuses exclusively on AI visibility. Tracks brand mentions and citations across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Mode, AI Overviews, Gemini, and Copilot. What sets it apart is the weekly link tracking and sentiment analysis that shows whether AI is recommending you or warning users away.
Why We Like It
- Sentiment tracking catches when AI mentions you negatively vs. positively.
- Weekly link tracking shows which of your pages get cited over time.
- Low entry point at $29/mo Lite plan for teams testing GEO concepts.
Notable Limitations
- No traditional SEO features. You'll need this alongside Ahrefs/Semrush.
- Lite plan limited to 10 prompts; Standard ($189/mo) needed for 100 prompts.
- Steep price jump between tiers ($29 → $189).
Best for: Teams that want dedicated GEO tooling with actionable audits, and already have traditional SEO tools covered.
SE Ranking
Full SEO suite with AI tracking included at mid-tier pricing
From
$65/mo
Pro at $119/mo + AI add-on
SE Ranking offers excellent value for traditional SEO. Their AI Search add-on ($89-345/mo) monitors ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity visibility, while the AI Overview tracker is built into the core platform. Base plans start at $65/mo for Essential, with Pro at $119/mo.
Why We Like It
- AI Overview tracking included in all plans. No extra cost for basic AI visibility.
- Competitive pricing for full SEO suite. Good for growing teams.
- Clean interface that's less overwhelming than Semrush.
Notable Limitations
- Full AI Search requires $89-345/mo add-on on top of base subscription.
- Smaller backlink database than Ahrefs/Semrush.
- Less brand recognition means fewer integrations and community resources.
Best for: Teams on a budget who need full SEO suite plus basic AI visibility without enterprise pricing.
Semrush
The deepest AI prompt database with comprehensive SEO suite
From
$139.95/mo
AI Visibility on Guru+
Semrush offers the deepest AI visibility through their AI Toolkit (Guru+ plans). With 8.5 million tracked prompts and growing, it provides unmatched coverage. The AI Brand Perception report shows positive vs. negative AI mentions, while their traditional SEO tools remain industry-leading.
Why We Like It
- Deepest prompt database. If you're curious about a query, Semrush probably tracks it.
- AI Brand Perception report unique to Semrush. Shows sentiment across AI platforms.
- Excellent for agencies managing multiple client portfolios.
Notable Limitations
- AI Visibility only on Guru ($249.95/mo) and Business ($499.95/mo) plans.
- Interface can be overwhelming. Too many features for some teams.
- Perplexity tracking coming soon but not available yet.
Best for: Agencies and enterprise teams who need the deepest AI visibility data and can justify higher pricing.
Surfer SEO
Content optimization with AI visibility tracking built in
From
$99/mo
Essential plan
Surfer started as a content optimization tool and evolved into a content-first AI SEO platform. The AI Tracker (Scale plan only, $219/mo) monitors brand mentions in Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity. Or add AI Tracker separately for $95/mo. Essential plan ($99/mo) focuses on content optimization without AI tracking.
Why We Like It
- Connects the dots between content quality and AI visibility. Not just tracking.
- Content Audit identifies decaying pages that need refreshing for AI citation.
- Google Docs integration means writers optimize in their existing workflow.
Notable Limitations
- AI Tracker not in Essential ($99/mo) - requires Scale ($219/mo) or $95/mo add-on.
- Less depth on AI visibility than dedicated GEO tools.
- No competitor backlink analysis. You'll need Ahrefs/Semrush for that.
Best for: Content teams who want optimization and AI visibility in one tool, without needing deep competitive intelligence.
Clearscope
Premium content optimization for teams that prioritize quality
From
$189/mo
Essentials plan
Clearscope has long been the enterprise choice for content optimization. Their AI features focus on tracking discoverability across Google and AI chatbots by topic and prompt. The Tracked Topics feature shows what sources LLMs cite when answering relevant queries.
Why We Like It
- Content scoring is more nuanced than competitors. Recognizes semantic variations.
- Shows which sources get cited in LLM responses for your tracked topics.
- Enterprise-grade collaboration features for larger content teams.
Notable Limitations
- Expensive. $189/month for 20 content reports feels steep for smaller teams.
- AI tracking is topic-based, not prompt-specific like dedicated GEO tools.
- No traditional SEO features. Strictly content optimization.
Best for: Enterprise content teams with budget for premium tooling who prioritize content quality over comprehensive SEO features.
Profound
Answer Engine Insights with prompt volume research
From
$99/mo
Starter (ChatGPT only)
Profound is the enterprise-grade choice for AI visibility. Tracks how often your brand shows up in AI answers and breaks down what the model said and which sites it cited. The Starter plan ($99/mo) is limited to ChatGPT; Growth ($399/mo) adds more platforms and features.
Why We Like It
- Enterprise-grade security with SOC 2 Type II compliance.
- Conversation Explorer shows real AI search volume data.
- Citation breakdown reveals exactly which URLs get referenced in answers.
Notable Limitations
- Expensive. Starter at $99/mo is ChatGPT-only; full features require $399+/mo.
- No traditional SEO features. Purely AI visibility analytics.
- Enterprise positioning - may be overkill for smaller teams.
Best for: Teams who need prompt volume data to prioritize GEO efforts and want crawler-level visibility into AI bot behavior.
Peec AI
Prompt tracking with actionable recommendations
From
$49/mo
Starter plan
Peec AI takes a prompt-first approach. You set up prompts, add competitor brands, and choose which AI models to monitor. The platform surfaces citation sources, sentiment, visibility scores, and actionable recommendations based on gaps.
Why We Like It
- Recommendations are actionable. Not just "improve your content" but specific fixes.
- Competitor tracking shows exactly where rivals get cited and you don't.
- Affordable entry point for testing GEO before larger investment.
Notable Limitations
- Smaller prompt database than Semrush. You're tracking what you add.
- No content optimization features. Purely visibility tracking.
- Newer tool with smaller user community.
Best for: Teams who want prompt-level GEO tracking with clear action items, and don't need integrated content optimization.
Also Worth Considering
Writesonic
From $49/moAI content creation with GEO visibility tracking. Chatsonic agent connects to Ahrefs, Semrush, and GSC data for context-aware SEO recommendations.
Best for: Teams wanting AI writing assistance alongside basic GEO tracking.
Rankscale.ai
From $20/moSpecific search term tracking across AI engines and regions. Credit-based pricing keeps costs predictable.
Best for: Teams who know exactly which queries matter and want precise, region-specific tracking.
Frase
From $45/moSERP analysis and content briefs with GEO scoring (beta). Fast brief generation for content teams.
Best for: Content teams on a budget who need fast brief generation.
AirOps
Free tier availableAI-powered SEO workflows with visibility tracking. Free Answer Engine Visibility tool for basic brand checks.
Best for: Teams who want to automate repetitive SEO tasks and need basic AI visibility without extra cost.
Pricing Comparison: What You'll Actually Pay
*Pricing verified January 2026. Annual discounts available for most tools.
| Tool | Free Tier | Entry Paid | Full AI Features | AI Included? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs | - | $129/mo (Lite) | $249/mo (Standard) | Yes |
| Otterly.ai | Limited | $29/mo (Lite) | $189/mo (Standard) | Yes |
| SE Ranking | 14-day trial | $65/mo (Essential) | $119/mo + AI add-on ($89+) | AIO only* |
| Semrush | Limited | $139.95/mo (Pro) | $249.95/mo (Guru) | Guru+ |
| Surfer SEO | - | $99/mo (Essential) | $219/mo (Scale) | Scale only† |
| Clearscope | - | $189/mo | $399/mo | Yes |
| Profound | - | $99/mo (Starter) | $399/mo (Growth) | Yes |
| Peec AI | Limited | $49/mo | $149/mo | Yes |
| Rankscale.ai | Early access | $20/mo (credits) | $99/mo (Pro) | Yes |
| AirOps | 1K tasks | Custom | Custom | Yes |
*AIO = AI Overviews only included in base plan. †AI Tracker available as $95/mo add-on for Essential.
AI Feature Matrix: Who Tracks What
| Tool | ChatGPT | Perplexity | AI Overviews | Claude | Gemini | Copilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Otterly.ai | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| SE Ranking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | - |
| Semrush | ✓ | Soon | ✓ | - | ✓ | - |
| Surfer SEO | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | - |
| Rankscale.ai | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | - |
| Profound | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | - |
| Peec AI | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | ✓ | ✓ | - |
✓ = Full support | Soon/Limited = Partial or coming | - = Not available
How to Choose: Decision Framework
The "best" tool depends entirely on your context. Here's how to match tools to situations:
| If You... | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Already use Ahrefs | Ahrefs Brand Radar | AI visibility in your existing workflow. No new tool to learn. |
| Already use Semrush | Semrush AI Visibility | Deepest prompt database. Perception reports unique to Semrush. |
| Need dedicated GEO tool | Otterly.ai or Peec AI | Purpose-built for AI visibility. Actionable audits and recommendations. |
| Are budget-conscious | SE Ranking | Full SEO suite with AI tracking included at $119/mo. |
| Focus on content | Surfer or Clearscope | Content optimization plus AI visibility. Writers stay in one tool. |
| Want granular control | Rankscale.ai | Track exact queries in exact regions. Credit-based pricing. |
| Need workflow automation | AirOps | Build custom SEO pipelines. Free visibility tool included. |
| Want AI writing + SEO | Writesonic | Multi-LLM writing with SEO tool integrations. |
The biggest mistake we see? Buying dedicated GEO tools before fixing traditional SEO. If your site isn't ranking on Google, AI crawlers aren't finding your content either. LLMs pull from the same web that Google indexes. Get the fundamentals right first, then layer in AI visibility tracking.
What These Tools Can't Do
Let's be honest about limitations. Even the best AI SEO tools can't:
- Guarantee AI citations. You can optimize perfectly and still not get mentioned. LLMs are probabilistic, not deterministic.
- Replace content quality. If your content is thin or generic, no tool will make AI cite it. Authority and depth matter more than optimization tricks.
- Provide real-time data. Most tools update daily or weekly. AI responses change constantly. What you see in dashboards is always slightly outdated.
- Track every LLM variation. ChatGPT with web search behaves differently than ChatGPT without. Most tools track one configuration.
- Predict algorithm changes. AI platforms update their models frequently. What works today may not work next month.
The tools provide visibility and direction. The strategy and execution remain your responsibility.
The Bottom Line
For most teams: Start with whatever traditional SEO tool you already use. Ahrefs Brand Radar or Semrush AI Visibility give you AI tracking without adding another subscription. If you're on neither, SE Ranking offers the best value for teams starting from scratch.
For serious GEO work: Add a dedicated tool like Otterly.ai or Peec AI alongside your traditional SEO suite. The prompt-level insights and actionable audits are worth the extra $50-100/month if AI visibility is a priority.
For content-first teams: Surfer or Clearscope connect content optimization directly to AI visibility. Writers stay in one workflow while tracking citation potential.
Reality check: No tool will get you cited if your content doesn't deserve it. These tools show you where you stand and what to fix. The work is still yours to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yuval Halevi
Helping SaaS companies and developer tools get cited in AI answers since before it was called "GEO." 10+ years in B2B SEO, 50+ cybersecurity and SaaS tools clients.