When a Google user types something in the search engine, there is something that they are searching for. This could be information on something, a product review, something to buy, or more. The reason they type that query is the search intent. It shows the user’s goal in typing the question on the search engine.
Why the Search Intent Matters
Google aims to provide its users with helpful content. Therefore, the search engine tries to understand the search intent before providing the searcher with the most relevant results. They rank sites that answer the query well.
If you want your site to rank highly on the search engines, ensure it satisfies the search intent. By understanding the search intent, you can:
- Have a better content strategy. When you focus on the search intent, you can create content that aligns with the needs of your audience.
- Rank highly. When your content answers a search query, you will rank higher on the search engine for that query. This is because you will show the search engines that your content is valuable to the user.
Types of Search Intents
To determine the search intent, consider how their keyword is phrased. There are basically four types of search intents. These are:
Informational Intent
This is the awareness stage of the search funnel and is the most common type of search intent. Informational intent means users enter a search query to find specific information. The keywords used for this search intent are often framed as a question. Examples of keywords used in this intent are:
- What is search intent?
- How to bake a cake
- Time in London now
- How old is Oprah?
- How to bake a cake
Google will often rank highly the sites that answer these questions more directly. These keywords are good to target as they help improve your visibility, build trust, and get new leads that can convert later.
Navigation Intent
Here, the user is searching for a particular page. For instance, they may be looking for a Reddit thread. Unlike other types of search intent, the user already knows what they are searching for here. Some of the keywords in this search intent are:
- Paypal login
- Amazon refund policy
- Ahref keyword research tool
One thing you will notice about the navigation intent is that they have the names of certain brands. Therefore, you should ensure users can easily find your brand’s reputation.
Commercial Intent
Here, the users are in the consideration stage of the marketing funnel. They are searching for particular information before making a buying decision. This search intent is in the middle ground between the information and transactional search intent. Examples of keywords in this category for a user looking to buy Twitter followers are:
- Best sites to buy Twitter followers
- SocialWick vs. SocialGreg
- SocialGreg review
- YoutubeStorms alternatives
In this case, they are comparing the sites offering these services. Therefore, when satisfied, they move to the next category.
Transactional Intent
As the name suggests, the user is ready to complete a transaction, such as buying a product. However, unlike what many people think, this search intent isn’t limited to a buying decision. It can include other actions like downloading software or a newsletter signup. Some of the keywords in this category are:
- Iphone 16 Max price
- Ahref price
- Language test
- Grammarly download
In the commercial and transaction stages, the user is in the conversion stage of the marketing funnel. Therefore, these keywords are the ones that will make your money. Customers already searching for this kind of information are ready to convert.
How to Optimize Your Site for the Search Intent
Here are a few tips that will help track search intent to ensure that your site is well-optimized for it:
The 3Cs of Search Intent
There are 3C that can help you figure out the search intent. These are:
Content Type
Ask yourself which type of content dominates the SERPs. Are these blog posts, product pages, or landing pages? This could help you find what people are searching for.
Content Format
In what format is the content that is ranking on the SERPs? Are these reviews, tutorials, comparisons, or list posts?
Content Angle
Consider the unique selling points of the sites ranking highly on SERPs. This can provide more information on what a user values when they type the query on the search engine.
Check Fluctuations in Top-ranking Pages
When relying on the SERP to understand the search intent, one of the things to remember is that there can be fluctuations in the SERPs over a given period.
When there are many fluctuations, it can indicate that Google doesn’t understand the actual search intent. Alternatively, the search intent could be constantly changing. This could mean that the page hasn’t answered the search query well.
Check Competition
Find out what your competitors on the first page of SERPs are doing before creating new content or updating the old one. There must be something that they are doing right SEO-wise; otherwise, they wouldn’t be ranking on the first page. Check the formatting of their pages, the points they cover, and the tone of their voice. Consider if there is something they are missing and try to outrank them.
Optimize for User Experience
How does Google tell the pages with the best answer for the search intent? They check how people are responding to the SERP results. They can tell if people are happy with a particular result. They downrank a page if they realize it doesn’t respond to a specific search intent. Therefore, you should ensure that your site is well-optimized for the search engine so that users don’t click back when they get to the site. This is also among the SEO basics for new websites.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the user search intent and aligning your post to the intent can help you rank easily on the first page of Google. Use this guide to understand the user search intent and to align your content to their needs.
