User intent is referred to as search intent. User intent refers to the reason why a user types a query in a search engine. The search engine tries to find relevant query results for the user, match the user’s searches based on user intent, and deliver matching results.

Types of User Intent

• Info tasks – The user is looking for answers, descriptions, understandings, and knowledge. E.g. “How does the SEO help in Ranking?”
• The user seeks to access a particular website, or brand, navigate features of a website app, or learn how to act. Like how to do the Microsoft login or how to take back your order from the Amazon site.
• Transactional intent refers to when a user searches to buy or researches before buying and converting. Example “ Buy best cotton dresses online”.
• The user intends to make or investigate a purchase through a search on the web. Best Mobile Phones Available at 20K.

Why Is User Intent Important for SEO?

• Google does this for a better search experience and ranks content that meets user intent higher. 
• Improving User Experience: By aligning user intent, engagement increases, discarded rates decrease and conversion rates increase.
• It helps to increase sales easily. 

Optimizing for User Intent

• Use relevant keywords that match search intent.
• Be precise and structure content to answer questions.
• Match pages with the appropriate intent category, such as blog posts for informational queries or product pages for transactional intent.

When websites align content to user intent, visibility improves and engagement expands, which leads to a better user experience and conversion.