What types of search intent are there?
| Intention | Example | Matching page |
|---|---|---|
| Informational | how does seo work | Explanation article |
| Navigational | jakency | Brand page |
| Commercial | best seo agency | Comparison or service page |
| Transactional | Request an SEO quote | Landing page or contact page |
How do you determine search intent?
See which pages Google already shows for the keyword. Are they guides, category pages, local results, tools or providers? The SERP tells you what form and depth Google expects.
Why is search intent important for SEO?
Search intent determines your page's content, title, CTA, and internal links. A good page therefore starts with keyword research and is incorporated into a broader content strategy.
How do you recognize search intent in the SERP?
You recognize search intent in the SERP by looking at the type of results that Google shows. Are there guides, tools, local businesses, comparisons, or service pages at the top? That tells you what answer Google expects.
| SERP signal | Likely intention | Dear page |
|---|---|---|
| Many explanation articles | Informative | Guide or concept page |
| Local map and businesses | Local commercial | Local service page |
| Comparisons and lists | Commercial research | Comparison or decision aid |
| Products or quote pages | Transactional | Landing page or service page |
When do you create a new page for a keyword?
You create a new page when the SERP shows a different intent than what your existing page serves. If the intent is the same, it is better to add the keyword to the existing page.
For example, hiring an SEO specialist belongs on a consultant page, while SEO services deserves its own overview page because the SERP often shows broader service pages.
What often goes wrong?
The classic mistake is wanting to rank a sales page for an informative question, or have a blog article rank for a search term where Google mainly shows local providers. Then the content may be correct, but the intention is not.