Keyword intent

What is keyword intent?

Keyword intent is the reason behind a search — what the user hopes to find or do when they type a query. It is usually grouped into four types: informational, navigational, commercial, and transactional. Matching a page to a keyword’s intent is essential, because Google ranks results that fit the searcher’s goal.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the types of keyword intent?

There are four: informational (seeking knowledge, like “what is keyword intent”), navigational (looking for a specific site or page), commercial (comparing options before deciding, like “best keyword tools”), and transactional (ready to buy or act). Each type calls for a different kind of page and format.

How do you check keyword intent?

Search the keyword and study the results Google already rewards. Guides and how-to posts signal informational intent; product and pricing pages signal transactional; comparison and “best” lists signal commercial. The dominant page type in the top results reveals the intent Google has assigned to that query.

Why does keyword intent matter for SEO?

Google ranks the pages that best satisfy the searcher’s goal, so a page that mismatches intent will not rank however well optimized it is. Targeting the right intent — and building the page format to match it — is often the single biggest factor in whether you rank.

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