What it costs to show up in AI answers: DIY vs done-for-you, with honest math
June 7, 2026
Once an owner sees that 3 of 4 AI apps have never heard of their business, the next question is always "okay - what does fixing it cost?" Here are the three honest options.
Option 1: Do nothing - $0, but not really
If a single new customer is worth $500-5,000 to you, and the AI hands your competitor a few of those per month, doing nothing has a price tag. It is just invisible - it looks like a slow week, not a lost customer.
Option 2: Do it yourself - about $19 and a weekend
The work is not technical: fix your listings so they match, rewrite your homepage in plain language, add a FAQ, collect reviews, re-check monthly. Anyone who can write an email can do it. A guide like the $19 GEO Playbook gives you the exact order and templates. Budget a weekend up front and an hour a month after.
Option 3: Done for you - $79/month
A service like EchoRank Pro monitors all four AI apps weekly, writes every fix for your specific business (paste-ready, with steps for your exact website platform), and alerts you when a competitor starts taking your spot. One new customer typically covers many months of the fee.
The honest comparison
DIY genuinely works if you will actually do it - the playbook exists because plenty of owners prefer that. The subscription exists because most owners get to step two, get busy running the business, and never re-check. Pick based on which person you are, not which sales pitch you read last.
Either way: start with the free check
If the AI apps already know and recommend you, keep your money. Find out first.
Run the free 30-second check to see exactly which AI apps know your business.