The 2026 Agency Index Updated October 14, 2026

Buyer guides

Buyer Guides: Hiring a Marketing Agency

The permanent questions, answered with sources: how to choose an agency, what it should cost, what to read in the contract, and when to walk away.

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  1. 01

    How to choose a marketing agency in 2026

    How to choose a marketing agency in 2026: set a goal and budget, check named proof, meet the team, test AI search skills, and keep every account in your name.

    9 min read Read the guide
  2. 02

    What a marketing agency costs in 2026

    What a marketing agency costs in 2026: retainer, project, hourly, performance, and ad-spend pricing, with survey ranges and how to compare quotes line by line.

    10 min read Read the guide
  3. 03

    Marketing agency contracts: terms to read before you sign

    Marketing agency contracts explained: minimum terms, auto-renewal, notice, scope, who owns your domain, site, ad accounts, and Google profile, and exit terms.

    9 min read Read the guide
  4. 04

    Marketing agency red flags: 12 signs to walk away

    Marketing agency red flags to catch before you sign: guaranteed rankings, agency-owned accounts, fake reviews, link schemes, auto-renewing lock-ins, and more.

    9 min read Read the guide
  5. 05

    SEO and AI search in 2026: what your agency should be doing

    SEO and AI search in 2026 explained: how AI Overviews, AI Mode, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini choose sources, and what a competent agency should do now.

    9 min read Read the guide

News

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Guides cover the baseline. News tracks the moving parts: AI search, ad platforms, agency deals, pricing, and regulation.

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