Short answer
- Ask for the exact prompt list and how it will be re-tested.
- Ask for monthly deliverables in numbers.
- Ask for a sample report with raw answers.
- Walk away from ranking guarantees.
- Which prompts will you track, and can we see them now? A provider who cannot show prompts cannot show progress.
- Which engines, how often, and how? API, manual, or a third-party tool — and which models.
- What exactly do you deliver each month? Pages, listings, fixes — in numbers.
- Can we see a real report with raw answers?
- Do you know our industry's buyer language? Ask them to name the certifications that matter in your category.
- Who writes, and who approves? Nothing about your capacity or clients should be published without your approval.
- What will you never do? Look for: no fake reviews, no undisclosed paid mentions, no invented facts.
- Do you guarantee a ranking? The right answer is no.
- What happens if we stop? You should keep every page and asset produced.
- Do you work with our direct competitors? You should be told before they do.