---
title: "What is search intent?"  
description: "What is search intent?"  
author: "ICSM Computer"  
published: 2025-06-05  
updated: 2025-06-12  
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/forum/161681/what-is-search-intent  
category: "SEO"  
tags: ["seo"]  
reading_time: 2 minutes  

---

# What is search intent?

The reason behind a [search query](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/160075/what-is-an-sql-search-query-and-how-is-it-different-from-a-regular-sql-query) — can be informational, navigational, transactional, or commercial.

## Replies

### Reply by Mahee Pandey

Ever wondered why people [search](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/65368/best-smo-services-company-in-hyderabad-improve-search-rankings) for something online? When someone types something into Google, what are they really looking for? That’s exactly what search intent is — it reveals the real reason behind every search [query](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/202/sub-query-in-sqlserver).

\
Search Intent also refers as User intent where it says “the reason behind a search query”

No matter what a person searches for, the real question is: what is driving their search?

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**Now Search intent can be divided into four main types:**\
\

1. **Informational:** The user wants to discover or gain knowledge or learn something. \ **For Example:** \ User types on google, who is the president of Russia?\ \
2. **Navigational:** \ when the Internet user is looking for a specific thing.\ \ **For Example**\ Sam is looking to buy a pair of Nike sneakers, but he doesn’t recall the exact model name. So, what does he do? He types “Nike” into Google, clicks on the official website, navigates to the shoe categories, selects sneakers, and finally finds the pair he was looking for.\
3. **Commercial:** Here the user wants to know about the product or service before making a purchase. Here the user is making a before purchase decision.\ \ **For Example:** Is the OnePlus 13R 5G a better option for gaming compared to the OnePlus 12R?"
4. **Transactional:** Here the user is ready to make a purchase. \ \ **For Example:** Booking a flight from Delhi to Pune or Subscribe to Netflix monthly plan. \ \


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Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/forum/161681/what-is-search-intent

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