Businesses seeking to maintain and improve their online visibility often turn to ongoing SEO services. As the digital landscape evolves—particularly with Google’s AI Mode and the rise of AI-generated search overviews—ongoing SEO has become more complex and expensive. This article provides a detailed look into the costs associated with maintaining SEO for U.S. businesses in 2025, based on the latest available data and trends.
The cost of ongoing SEO for U.S. businesses in 2025 varies widely depending on the scope of services, the competitiveness of the industry, and the level of AI-driven optimization required. For small to mid-sized businesses, ongoing SEO typically ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 per month. These packages often include foundational content creation, some link-building efforts, and basic technical monitoring. For businesses operating in more competitive industries or managing multi-location brands, the cost can rise to $5,000–$15,000+ per month. At this level, SEO strategies include more aggressive content production, AI-focused optimization, and digital PR efforts. Enterprise-level SEO campaigns, which require robust content production, advanced technical SEO, AI visibility tracking, and complex strategy development, can cost $15,000–$30,000+ per month.
Several factors influence the cost of ongoing SEO services. These include the volume of content to be optimized each month, the inclusion of AI-driven optimization, and the extent of technical and backlink work involved. Businesses are advised to ask specific questions when evaluating an SEO retainer, such as: What volume of pages will be optimized monthly? Are AI-focused updates part of the service? What technical work and link-building efforts are included? How will AI search performance be tracked and reported?
One of the key considerations for U.S. businesses is the rising cost of SEO in 2026. As competition increases and content standards evolve, providers are expected to raise their rates. The demand for AI-assisted optimization has also driven up the cost of SEO services. Businesses that rely heavily on organic traffic may benefit from locking in long-term partnerships with SEO providers now to avoid future price increases.
The average monthly cost of SEO in the U.S. is approximately $1,000 to $2,500 for general campaigns. This range is typical for small to mid-sized companies and usually includes a well-rounded set of services such as site health maintenance, content publishing, backlink building, and search result monitoring. One-time SEO services, such as technical SEO audits or keyword planning, typically cost between $500 and $5,000, depending on the provider's expertise and the project's scope.
It's important to note that 63% of U.S. businesses spend under $5,000 monthly on SEO. While this budget allows for a basic SEO strategy, it may limit the speed and reach of results. Higher budgets, on the other hand, enable more aggressive strategies and faster visibility gains. For example, a $15,000–$30,000 monthly budget can support a comprehensive campaign with extensive content production and advanced technical SEO.
The cost of SEO also varies depending on the provider. Hourly rates for SEO services range from $20 (for low-cost freelancers) to $250 (for top-tier agencies). Monthly retainers are the most common pricing model, used by 78% of SEO providers. Some agencies charge only a few hundred dollars a month by automating tasks, limiting deliverables, or offering basic services. While these options may appear cost-effective, they often come with limitations in terms of strategy and results.
For businesses in the U.S., the cost of SEO is also influenced by the type of website. Local SEO, for instance, is generally less expensive than national or international SEO. This is because local SEO strategies often involve adding city modifiers to keywords, which can make ranking for those terms more achievable. Local SEO pricing typically ranges from $250 to $3,000 per month.
eCommerce SEO pricing is influenced by several factors, including competition, website size, and niche. Highly competitive keywords require more resources to outrank competitors, increasing the cost of SEO. Larger websites with thousands of pages and products typically require more time and resources to optimize, leading to higher costs. For example, optimizing a website with 5,000 pages compared to 500 pages will require a longer timeline and a larger budget.
The importance of SEO for U.S. businesses is underscored by the fact that simply ranking on page one is no longer sufficient. With Google’s AI Mode, a significant portion of search queries now receive AI-generated answers directly on the SERP. As of 2025, AI Overviews appear on about 40% of search queries, pulling information from a handful of cited sources. This shift has led to a steep decline in organic traffic for websites that are not featured in these AI-generated summaries.
To remain competitive, businesses must now optimize for both traditional blue-link rankings and visibility in AI-driven results. This broader approach includes creating more comprehensive content, implementing structured data, and building authority across the web. These expanded efforts naturally increase the cost of professional SEO services.
The expertise of the SEO provider also plays a role in pricing. The average SEO specialist with less than two years of experience charges $79.37 per hour, while those with over a decade of experience can charge up to $118.35 per hour. The cost of hiring an experienced SEO agency is often justified by the quality of results, as demonstrated by case studies and client success stories. Businesses are advised to look for SEO firms with a solid reputation, proven expertise, and a track record of delivering results.
The scope of the SEO project is another key factor affecting cost. A website with thousands of pages, such as an eCommerce site, will require more extensive SEO work compared to a smaller site with only a few pages. The amount of new content to be created and the current state of the site's backend also influence the cost. For example, a site that requires both on-page and technical SEO will typically cost more than one that only needs on-page optimization.
Industry competitiveness also affects SEO pricing. Businesses operating in highly competitive industries need to invest more in SEO to outperform their competitors. This may include more aggressive content strategies, advanced technical SEO, and extensive link-building efforts. The cost of these strategies can vary depending on the level of competition and the specific goals of the business.
In conclusion, the cost of ongoing SEO for U.S. businesses in 2025 is influenced by a variety of factors, including the scope of services, industry competitiveness, and the level of AI-driven optimization required. Businesses must carefully evaluate their needs and budget when selecting an SEO provider to ensure they receive a strategy that aligns with their goals and delivers measurable results.
Conclusion
The cost of ongoing SEO for U.S. businesses in 2025 is shaped by multiple factors, including the depth of service, the competitiveness of the industry, and the integration of AI-driven optimization. Small to mid-sized businesses can expect to pay between $3,000 and $5,000 per month for foundational SEO services, while more competitive industries or multi-location brands may pay $5,000–$15,000+ per month. Enterprise-level campaigns can cost $15,000–$30,000+ per month, reflecting the need for advanced strategies and comprehensive content production.
SEO prices are expected to increase in 2026 due to rising competition, higher content standards, and the demand for AI-assisted optimization. Businesses that rely on organic traffic should consider locking in long-term partnerships with SEO providers now to avoid future price increases. The average monthly cost for U.S. businesses is around $1,000 to $2,500, with higher budgets enabling more aggressive strategies and faster visibility gains.
Local SEO is generally less expensive than national or international SEO, with pricing typically ranging from $250 to $3,000 per month. eCommerce SEO pricing is influenced by factors such as competition, website size, and niche, with larger websites requiring more extensive optimization. The expertise of the SEO provider also affects pricing, with more experienced professionals commanding higher hourly rates.
Given the evolving nature of SEO and the rise of AI-driven search results, businesses must adopt a broader approach that includes both traditional and AI-driven optimization. This expanded strategy requires more comprehensive content, structured data, and authority-building efforts, all of which contribute to the rising cost of SEO services. By understanding these factors and evaluating their needs and budget, U.S. businesses can select an SEO provider that delivers a strategy aligned with their goals and delivers measurable results.