Search Intent

What is Search Intent?

In the SEO industry, understanding search intent is crucial for creating content that meets the needs of users. Search intent can be categorized into four main types: informational, navigational, transactional, and commercial investigation. Informational intent means the user is looking for information on a specific topic. Navigational intent indicates the user wants to find a specific website or page. Transactional intent shows that the user is ready to make a purchase or complete an action. Finally, commercial investigation is when the user is comparing options or looking for reviews before making a decision. By aligning content with the user's search intent, websites can improve their relevance, reduce bounce rates, and increase engagement, which ultimately boosts their search engine rankings.

Search Intent refers to the underlying motivation or goal behind a user's search query.

Examples

Informational Intent: A user searches for 'how to bake a chocolate cake' looking for recipes and baking tips.

Navigational Intent: A user types 'Facebook login' to go directly to the Facebook login page.

Transactional Intent: A user searches for 'buy iPhone 14' indicating readiness to make a purchase.

Commercial Investigation: A user looks up 'best laptops 2023' to compare different models and read reviews before buying.

Additional Information

Understanding search intent helps in creating more targeted and effective content.

Properly addressing search intent can lead to higher user satisfaction and better SEO performance.

References

What is Search Intent? | Ahrefs

What Is Search Intent and Why Does It Matter - Moz

What is search intent? • SEO for beginners • Yoast