Search Intent
The underlying goal or purpose behind a search query. The four primary types are informational, navigational, commercial, and transactional.
Also known as: Query intent, User intent, Keyword intent
FAQ
Common Questions
Search the keyword and study the top 10 results. Look at the content format (guide, list, product page, definition), the content type (blog post, landing page, video), and the content angle (beginner, comparison, news). These reveal what Google believes the intent is.
Sometimes. Commercial intent queries often have informational components, and a page can serve both. However, trying to serve transactional and informational intent simultaneously on the same page often dilutes both and results in lower rankings for either.
Yes. AI Overviews appear most often for informational intent queries. Content targeting informational intent and structured to directly answer questions is more likely to be cited in AI-generated answers.
Glossary