Search intent
Search intent is the goal behind a search query. Wording provides clues, but does not give certain knowledge of an individual’s intentions.
Search intent is the goal a person pursues with a search query. In content planning, this goal is inferred from clues: do they want to understand something, compare offers or reach a particular page? A query can allow several interpretations.
In a hypothetical portal project, “how do customer prices work?” suggests a need for explanation. “B2B portal provider with customer prices” suggests a provider search instead. These are plausible readings, rather than proven intentions of specific people.
An explanation with a pricing example might suit the first case; a service page with scope and contact details could suit the second. Actual results and follow-up questions may change the assessment. Search intent is neither permission to profile individuals nor a guarantee of a later enquiry.
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Related terms
- KeywordA keyword is a word or phrase used in search and content planning. In search ads, it is a targeting term and need not match the actual query word for word.
- Long-tail keywordLong-tail keywords are search phrases with relatively low individual demand. They are often specific; length alone proves neither volume nor business value.
- Crawl budgetCrawl budget describes which URLs Google can and wants to fetch. Server capacity and crawl demand work together.
- Robots directiveRobots directives give indexing or presentation rules to search engines that support them. The crawler and the delivery route also matter.
- NoindexNoindex controls inclusion in search engines that support the instruction. The crawler must be able to read it; it does not replace access protection.
- Indexing statusIndexing status describes a URL’s inclusion in a search index. It is distinct from reachability and visibility for a particular search.
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