Yes, aerating prior to seeding is beneficial, as it helps to relieve soil compaction. Grass roots struggle to grow in dense hard soil, so aerating or applying Love Your Soil will greatly improve your lawn’s ability to establish.
We recommend aerating in the fall if you are only doing it once per year, as aeration will bring weed seeds to the surface. Early spring is the second-best time to aerate before seeding cool-season grasses. Always remember not to aerate in the winter, as this is the dormancy period for lawns.