What does Optimist do?
Optimist describes itself as an SEO and AI search (GEO and AEO) consulting firm for B2B tech and SaaS. It was founded in 2016 by Tyler Hakes and says it has worked with nearly 200 B2B companies, from Series A startups to publicly traded businesses. Its work runs on its own CORE Framework, which scores a brand on 21 visibility factors.
Its pages, checked on 18 October 2026, describe three ways to work with it:
- Audit and analysis: AI visibility across key models, broken down by topic and model, plus fan-out queries and citation patterns.
- Strategy and roadmap: 6 to 12 month plans covering technical and on-page work, content, messaging and third-party presence.
- Consulting retainers: month to month, with hands-on execution support, strategy calls, monthly reporting, weekly AI visibility tracking and a shared Slack.
On pricing, Optimist says advisory retainers start at US$3,000 a month for teams that execute in-house, and full-service engagements start at US$4,000 a month, all month to month. It says it tracks ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Google AI Overviews and Claude. Check Optimist's own AEO page for current details.
Who does Optimist suit?
- B2B tech and SaaS marketing teams. Optimist says its work is built for longer B2B buying cycles and measured in pipeline and revenue.
- Teams that can act on a brief. On its advisory retainer, Optimist provides strategy, briefs, specs and prioritisation while your team executes. Full service is a separate, higher tier.
- Companies that want SEO and AEO together. Optimist recommends one provider for both and offers AEO on its own only when a strong SEO program is already in place.
Pemba vs Optimist
- What it is. Optimist: a consulting firm with custom engagements. Pemba: a done-for-you service, not software you run and not a consulting retainer.
- Who it suits. Optimist: B2B tech and SaaS marketing teams. Pemba: companies anywhere that want the work done without running it themselves.
- Engines. Optimist: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Google AI Overviews and Claude. Pemba: ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Overviews and AI Mode, Perplexity and Claude, every question on all 6.
- The work. Optimist: audits, roadmaps and consulting, with execution on its full-service tier. Pemba: 10 questions your customers ask, checked every week, content written from your own site and published on a connected WordPress or Shopify site once you approve it (elsewhere, ready to paste in), and a page-by-page fix list.
- Price. Optimist: retainers from US$3,000 a month (advisory) or US$4,000 a month (full service). Pemba: a US$97 one-off audit to start.
If you run marketing at a B2B tech company and want a senior SEO and AEO partner tied to pipeline reporting, Optimist is a strong fit. If you want to see what 6 AI engines say about you, and want the content written and published for you, Pemba does the work. See the full AEO tools comparison for the other options.
What does the Pemba audit include?
Pemba's AI visibility audit is US$97, paid once, with no subscription. We ask ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Overviews and AI Mode, Perplexity and Claude 5 questions your buyers ask, show who they name instead of you, and give you a prioritised fix list you can hand to anyone.
You order it after the AI visibility check on the check page. There is no sales call.
Questions people ask
What is the best Optimist alternative?
For a business that wants the work done rather than advised on, Pemba: a done-for-you AI visibility service that checks ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Overviews and AI Mode, Perplexity and Claude, writes content from your own site and publishes it once you approve it. For a B2B tech team that wants a senior consulting partner, Optimist itself is a strong choice.
What is Optimist (yesoptimist.com)?
On 18 October 2026, Optimist described itself as an SEO and AI search (GEO and AEO) consulting firm for B2B tech and SaaS companies, founded in 2016, offering audits, roadmaps and month-to-month consulting retainers.
How much does Optimist cost?
On 18 October 2026, Optimist's pages said advisory retainers start at US$3,000 a month and full-service engagements start at US$4,000 a month, all month to month.
Which AI engines does Optimist track?
On 18 October 2026, Optimist's AEO page said it tracks ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Google AI Overviews and Claude. Pemba checks 6: ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Overviews and AI Mode, Perplexity and Claude.
Is Pemba a done-for-you AI visibility service?
Yes. Pemba is a done-for-you AI visibility service for companies anywhere, not software you have to run. Every week we check 10 questions your customers ask on 6 AI engines, then write content from your own site and publish it once you approve it.
Can anyone promise AI will name my business?
No. No one controls what an AI answer says. Pemba does the work AI engines reward and shows you, question by question, whether you are named more often.
Written by the Pemba team. Last updated 18/10/2026.