DL's Notebook Series
Our notebook series of blogs is all about industry insights, real-life experiences, what we hear from businesses on client calls and more. In this notebook, we explore the many agencies that tie businesses into contracts, spoiler alert – not the way to offer SEO and AEO services. In the most turbulent year of search, ever-changing short strategies are essential. We do not tie businesses in, we let the results speak for themselves.
Don't Sign a 12 Month SEO / AEO Contract...
Why 12-Month SEO Contracts Could Be Holding Your Business Back — And Why We Don’t Believe in Them
Signing up for a 12-month SEO contract might feel like a safe, long-term decision. After all, SEO typically takes time to gain traction—but that doesn’t mean you should be locked in. At Digital Landscope, we’re firm believers that true value comes from flexibility, transparency, and proven performance—not contracts that bind you long before results appear.
The Downsides of Year-Long AEO/SEO Contracts
Year-long contracts often benefit cowboy agencies more than clients. If early work isn’t delivering, you may be trapped, watching your budget drain with no recourse. Rigidity can also foster complacency—once signed up, some agencies lose urgency to communicate or adapt as your business evolves.
Businesses’ priorities shift—and fast. Without flexibility, you’re stuck with outdated strategies, and your SEO falls out of alignment with your current goals.
A Smarter Path: Agile, Performance-Driven Partnerships
At Digital Landscope, we reject long-term contracts. We believe in agile, open partnerships where results—and consistent delivery—sustain the relationship. We don’t require you to commit in advance. Instead, we earn your trust each month through clear communication, strategic pivots, and measurable gains tailored to your changing needs.
Staying Ahead with SEO and AEO
The digital landscape is shifting—and not just in SEO. As users increasingly rely on AI-powered tools and chat-based answer engines (like ChatGPT, voice assistants, and AI summaries), Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) is becoming essential. AEO focuses on structuring content to be featured as direct answers—such as in featured snippets, voice responses, or AI-generated summaries—rather than just ranking for keywords. This means writing in clear, conversational Q&A formats, using structured data (like FAQ or HowTo schema), and ensuring authority through clarity and credibility.
AEO complements traditional SEO—it doesn’t replace it. By combining both, you capture traditional search listings and position your content as immediate, trusted answers across AI platforms.
Our No-Strings-Attached Offering
To prove our approach works, we currently offer FREE no-obligation audits and bespoke strategy designs, complete with lead-generation forecasting for both SEO and AEO. It’s your chance to see how we work—without contracts, hidden fees, or legal bindings.
We’ll assess your current search visibility, map out both SEO and AEO opportunities, forecast lead outcomes, and let you decide the next steps—completely risk-free.
Our Notebook Conclusion
Locking into a 12-month SEO contract might seem dependable—but it often sacrifices client flexibility, engagement, and evolution. At Digital Landscope, we do things differently. We let our results earn your trust, not legal agreements.
Ready to explore SEO and AEO opportunities with zero commitment? Get in touch today for your free audit and strategy—no strings attached, just clear, expert insight.