Cited vs SurferSEO vs Clearscope: Which Tool for AI Search?
Compare Cited, SurferSEO, and Clearscope for AI search optimization. Understand which tool fits your GEO strategy and budget.
Key Takeaways
- Each tool serves different primary purposes
- Cited focuses specifically on AI visibility
- SurferSEO excels at content optimization for Google
- Clearscope provides deep content intelligence
- Many businesses benefit from combining tools
Cited vs SurferSEO vs Clearscope: Complete Comparison
Last updated: January 2026Choosing the right optimization tools can significantly impact your search visibility. Let's compare three popular options: Cited (AI-focused), SurferSEO (Google-focused), and Clearscope (content intelligence).
Tool Overview
Cited
Primary Focus: AI Search Optimization (GEO) What it does:- Audits AI visibility across ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity
- Measures GEO, AEO, and SEO scores
- Provides AI-specific optimization recommendations
- Tracks AI citation performance
SurferSEO
Primary Focus: Google Content Optimization What it does:- Analyzes top-ranking content for keywords
- Provides content editor with real-time scoring
- Suggests word count, keywords, headings
- SERP analyzer for competition research
Clearscope
Primary Focus: Content Intelligence What it does:- Deep content analysis and grading
- Competitive content insights
- Content inventory management
- Team workflow features
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Cited | SurferSEO | Clearscope |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Visibility Audit | Yes | No | No |
| Google Optimization | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Content Editor | No | Yes | Yes |
| Schema Recommendations | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| AI Citation Tracking | Yes | No | No |
| SERP Analysis | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Team Features | Basic | Yes | Yes |
| API Access | Coming | Yes | Yes |
| Plan | Cited | SurferSEO | Clearscope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free audit | 7-day trial | Demo only |
| Basic | $99/mo | $89/mo | $170/mo |
| Professional | $249/mo | $179/mo | Custom |
| Enterprise | Custom | $299/mo | Custom |
Use Cited When:
- AI search visibility is a priority
- You want to understand ChatGPT/Claude/Perplexity performance
- GEO optimization is your focus
- You need AI-specific recommendations
Use SurferSEO When:
- Google rankings are your primary goal
- You create regular blog/content
- You need a content editor with live optimization
- Budget is a consideration
Use Clearscope When:
- You're an enterprise with content operations
- Content quality metrics are critical
- You need team workflow features
- Budget is not the primary constraint
Combining Tools Effectively
Small Business Stack
- Cited Free Audit + SurferSEO Basic
- Covers AI visibility and Google optimization
- ~$89/month total
Growth Business Stack
- Cited Professional + SurferSEO Growth
- Comprehensive AI and Google coverage
- ~$428/month total
Enterprise Stack
- Cited Enterprise + Clearscope
- Full AI optimization and content intelligence
- Custom pricing
Strengths and Weaknesses
Cited
Strengths:- Only tool focused on AI visibility
- Free audit available
- Specific GEO recommendations
- Multi-platform AI testing
- Newer tool, still developing features
- Limited Google-specific optimization
- Smaller user community
SurferSEO
Strengths:- Excellent content editor
- Strong Google optimization
- Affordable pricing
- Large user community
- No AI visibility features
- Google-centric approach
- Can feel formulaic
Clearscope
Strengths:- Deep content intelligence
- Enterprise features
- Strong methodology
- Quality over quantity focus
- High price point
- Overkill for small businesses
- Learning curve
Making Your Decision
Decision Framework
- Primary goal is AI visibility? → Cited
- Primary goal is Google rankings? → SurferSEO
- Enterprise content operations? → Clearscope
- Need both AI and Google? → Cited + SurferSEO
- Budget constrained? → Cited Free + SurferSEO Basic
Questions to Ask
- Where does my audience search? (AI vs Google)
- What's my content production volume?
- What's my optimization budget?
- Do I need team features?
- How important is AI search for my industry?
The Future of These Tools
Expect convergence as:
- SurferSEO likely adds AI features
- Clearscope integrates AI optimization
- Cited expands Google coverage
- New tools enter the market
Our Recommendation
For most businesses in 2026:
- Start with Cited's free audit to understand AI visibility
- Add SurferSEO if Google content optimization is needed
- Consider Clearscope only at enterprise scale
This approach balances AI search (the future) with Google search (the present) without overinvesting.
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Get started with a free AI visibility audit and see where your business stands in AI search.Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Cited and SurferSEO?
Cited focuses specifically on AI search visibility (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity), while SurferSEO focuses primarily on Google SEO optimization. Cited audits and optimizes for AI citations; SurferSEO optimizes content for traditional search rankings.
Can I use Cited and SurferSEO together?
Yes, they complement each other well. Use SurferSEO for Google content optimization and Cited for AI visibility. This combination covers both traditional and AI search channels.
Which tool is best for small businesses?
For small businesses, Cited's free audit is a great starting point to understand AI visibility. SurferSEO's basic plan works well for content optimization. Choose based on whether AI or traditional search is more important for your audience.
Is Clearscope worth the price?
Clearscope is premium-priced but offers deep content intelligence. It's best suited for enterprises or content-heavy businesses where content quality directly impacts revenue. Smaller businesses may find better value in SurferSEO.
Do I need all three tools?
Most businesses don't need all three. Choose based on priorities: Cited for AI visibility, SurferSEO for Google content optimization, Clearscope for enterprise content intelligence. Start with one and expand as needed.
Cited Team
AI Search Optimization Experts
The Cited team has analyzed over 10,000 websites for AI search visibility. Our experts combine deep technical knowledge with practical experience helping businesses get found by ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and other AI assistants.
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