Search Intent

fondamentaux-seo beginner

Definition

The underlying goal of a user when performing a search, classified as informational, navigational, transactional, or commercial.

Search intent refers to the real objective behind a user's search query. Google classifies intents into four main categories: informational (seeking an answer), navigational (finding a specific site), transactional (making a purchase), and commercial (comparing before buying). Understanding and matching search intent has become the most important factor in modern SEO. Perfectly optimized content that does not match the intent will never rank.

Search Intent User Intent Query Intent

Key Points

Analyzing current SERPs reveals the intent Google has identified
Content format must match the intent (guide, list, product page...)
A single query can combine multiple intents
Google's AI increasingly understands intent nuances

Practical Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I determine the search intent of a query?

Analyze the top 10 Google results for that query. The dominant content type (articles, product pages, videos, lists) reveals the intent identified by Google.

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Discover how LemmiLink can help you put these SEO concepts into practice.

Last updated: 2026-02-07