Search intent refers to the actual reason behind a user’s search query — what they’re really looking for when they type something into Google. There are four main types: informational (looking for an answer or information, like “what is SEO”), navigational (trying to reach a specific website, like “Facebook login”), commercial (researching before a purchase, like “best SEO tools 2026”), and transactional (ready to buy or take action, like “buy SEO course online”). Understanding search intent is critical because Google prioritizes content that best matches what the searcher actually wants — not just content that repeats the keyword. Matching your content to the right intent is one of the most important ranking factors in modern SEO.