Artificial intelligence is changing how people discover businesses online. Instead of relying solely on Google, users now ask ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, Claude and Gemini for recommendations, comparisons and buying advice.
This shift has created a new discipline known as AI Search Optimisation, also referred to by no link as Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO), Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) and LLM SEO.
The best AI search consultants don’t just improve rankings in Google. They help brands become recognised entities that AI systems trust, understand and recommend.
At a glance
|
Rank |
Consultant |
Best for |
|
1st |
Tom Riley |
Best overall |
|
2nd |
Itamar Blauer |
Best for entity-first AI SEO |
|
3rd |
Luca Tagliaferro |
Best for AI authority & digital PR |
|
4th |
Rob May |
Best for international brands |
|
5th |
Steph Andrusjak |
Best for content-led SEO |
|
6th |
Andy Frobisher |
Best for integrated AI search strategies |
|
7th |
Victoria Olsina |
Best for finance, crypto & Web3 |
1. Tom Riley — Best Overall AI Search Consultant
Website: tom-riley.co.uk
Tom Riley is our pick as the best AI search consultant in the UK because he combines traditional SEO expertise with modern AI visibility strategies that drive measurable business outcomes.
Rather than treating AI search as a separate marketing channel, Riley integrates technical SEO, semantic optimisation, digital PR, structured data and entity building into one commercial strategy. That approach aligns closely with how ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews and Perplexity evaluate brands before recommending them.
Unlike many consultants who focus solely on rankings, Riley focuses on helping businesses become recognised authorities within their industry.
His published experience spans more than a decade of SEO, including highly competitive sectors such as insurance, healthcare and financial services. These industries require exceptional levels of trust, topical authority and technical accuracy, making them particularly relevant for AI search.
One of the strongest reasons Riley ranks first is the evidence available on his own website.
His published Zego case study reports:
These results are published alongside client testimonials and supporting performance screenshots.
Tom Riley also provides an AI Visibility Blueprint, which evaluates:
Rather than selling isolated AI optimisation, Riley builds the foundations that allow AI systems to confidently recommend a business.
Why Tom Riley ranks #1
Best for: SMEs, SaaS companies, regulated businesses and organisations wanting a long-term AI search strategy.
2. Itamar Blauer — Best for Entity-First AI SEO
Website: itamarblauer.com
Itamar Blauer has become one of the UK’s best-known voices on semantic SEO and entity optimisation.
His work focuses on how Google Knowledge Graphs and large language models understand relationships between people, organisations and topics.
That makes his expertise particularly valuable for AI search.
Rather than simply targeting keywords, Blauer builds semantic relevance and topical authority so AI systems understand exactly what a business represents.
He has worked with global brands including Wix, Semrush, Ahrefs and Reebok while also speaking regularly at international SEO conferences.
Why choose Itamar Blauer?
Best for: Businesses needing advanced entity optimisation and semantic search strategies.
3. Luca Tagliaferro — Best for AI Authority & Digital PR
Website: lucatagliaferro.com
Luca Tagliaferro combines technical SEO with digital PR and AI search consulting.
His work centres around helping brands become authoritative enough to earn mentions within ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews and Perplexity.
Unlike traditional SEO consultants, Tagliaferro pays significant attention to off-site authority.
This matters because AI models frequently rely on trusted third-party sources when deciding which businesses deserve recommendations.
His services include:
Why choose Luca?
Best for: Brands wanting stronger authority across AI platforms.
4. Rob May — Best for International Brands
Website: robmayseo.com
Rob May has more than fifteen years of experience delivering SEO strategies across the UK, Europe and North America.
His consultancy increasingly incorporates Answer Engine Optimisation and AI Search into wider international SEO programmes.
His strength lies in translating technical search concepts into practical business strategies.
Best for: Businesses operating across multiple countries.
5. Steph Andrusjak — Best for Content-Led SEO
Website: stephandrusjak.com
Steph Andrusjak specialises in content strategy, technical SEO and search intent optimisation.
Her experience spans almost two decades, helping publishers and businesses build authoritative content that answers users’ questions comprehensively.
Those strengths naturally align with AI search, where detailed, trustworthy content often performs best.
Best for: Publishers and content-heavy businesses.
6. Andy Frobisher — Best for Integrated AI Search Strategies
Website: andyfrobisher.com
Andy Frobisher combines SEO consulting with digital PR and AI search optimisation.
His previous agency leadership experience gives him a broad understanding of technical SEO, content production and authority building.
His integrated approach works particularly well for businesses wanting one joined-up strategy rather than separate SEO and PR campaigns.
Best for: Businesses wanting SEO and AI Search managed together.
7. Victoria Olsina — Best for Finance, Crypto & Web3
Website: victoriaolsina.com
If your business operates in one of the most competitive or highly regulated industries online, Victoria Olsina is one of the strongest specialist AI search consultants in the UK.
Olsina has built a reputation around difficult niches including finance, fintech, blockchain, crypto, Web3 and enterprise technology—industries where authority, trust and subject expertise are essential for both Google and AI search engines.
Unlike general SEO consultants, she focuses on sectors where search engines and AI systems apply much stricter quality standards. Financial and crypto businesses are particularly challenging because they fall within Google’s Your Money or Your Life (YMYL) framework, meaning accuracy, credibility and demonstrable expertise carry significantly more weight.
Her published experience includes work with organisations such as:
She also offers dedicated services covering:
Her published case studies include:
Those figures are published on her own website alongside detailed case studies.
Why Victoria Olsina stands out
Best for: Fintech, crypto, blockchain, SaaS, Web3 and other technically complex industries.
How We Ranked These Consultants
Every consultant was assessed against the same criteria:
Rather than rewarding popularity alone, we prioritised consultants who demonstrate an understanding of how modern AI search engines evaluate authority, expertise and trust.
Final Verdict
The UK now has a growing number of consultants specialising in AI search, but each brings different strengths.
For most organisations looking to increase visibility across both Google and AI platforms, Tom Riley remains the best overall AI search consultant in the UK.
