// glossary entry

Search Intent

What is search intent?

Search intent is the purpose behind a search query. There are four main categories: informational (seeking knowledge), navigational (seeking a specific page), transactional (seeking a purchase or action), and commercial investigation (comparing options before a purchase). The intent determines which type of content ranks, a how-to guide won’t rank for a transactional search. At Waterproof Web Wizard, we always determine intent first by analyzing the live SERP: Which pages dominate? Which format? Only then do we develop the content concept, not the other way around.

// synonyms

  • Search Intent
  • User Intent
  • Informational Intent
  • Transactional Intent
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