Classify keyword search intent using real Google data from DataForSEO. Get intent type, search volume, CPC, and competition data for up to 10 keywords at once.
0/10 keywords
A search intent classifier determines why someone searches for a specific keyword — whether they want to learn something (informational), research a purchase (commercial), buy something (transactional), or find a specific website (navigational). Our free tool uses real DataForSEO data to classify intent for up to 10 keywords simultaneously.
Understanding search intent is the foundation of effective SEO — and every SEO professional needs to master it. "Search intent" alone gets 880 monthly searches, while "keyword intent" receives 590. The 4 types of search intent collectively generate tens of thousands of monthly searches, showing just how central this concept is to the industry. When your content type mismatches the intent behind a keyword, it simply won't rank — no matter how well-optimized it is.
Our classifier goes beyond intent — it also provides search volume, CPC, and competition data for each keyword. This helps you prioritize keywords by business value and align your content strategy with what users actually want at each stage of the funnel.
Analyze up to 10 keywords at once. Save time by classifying your entire keyword list in a single batch instead of one by one.
Get intent classifications based on actual DataForSEO data — not AI guesses. Our results reflect how Google itself categorizes search behavior.
Every keyword comes with monthly search volume and cost-per-click data, helping you assess both traffic potential and commercial value.
See keyword competition levels alongside intent data. Find low-competition informational keywords or high-value commercial opportunities.
Instantly identify intent types with visual color coding: blue for informational, orange for commercial, green for transactional, gray for navigational.
Classify unlimited batches of keywords with no sign-up. Our tool uses real API data and costs nothing to use.
Classify keyword intent in three simple steps
Enter your target keywords in the input field, one per line or separated by commas. Add up to 10 keywords per batch.
Choose the target country for localized search data. Intent and volume can vary significantly by market.
Receive instant classification with intent type, search volume, CPC, and competition data for each keyword.
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Search intent in SEO is the "why" behind every Google query. Also known as keyword intent, mastering intent alignment is what separates pages that rank from pages that don't — regardless of how many backlinks or keywords they have.
Every search query falls into one of four search intent types. Understanding these categories is essential for creating content that matches what users actually want to find. The 4 types of search intent form the foundation of modern keyword research and content planning.
Google's algorithms have evolved to understand keyword intent, not just match keywords. A page targeting "best running shoes" with informational content will lose to a comparison/review page because Google knows commercial intent searchers want comparisons. In 2026, aligning content type with search intent in SEO is the single most important on-page ranking factor.
Engagement signals (CTR, dwell time, bounce rate) now contribute 20-23% of ranking influence — and they're directly tied to intent satisfaction. When a user clicks on your result and immediately finds what they were looking for, Google takes notice. Position 1 results capture 39.8% of clicks, while position 2 drops to just 18.7% — moving from position 2 to 1 delivers 2.1x the traffic.
Matching the right content format to each of the search intent types is critical for ranking. Here is what works best across all 4 types of search intent:
Map intent types to your marketing funnel to ensure you are creating the right content for users at every stage:
Target informational keywords with educational content. Blog posts, comprehensive guides, and how-to articles attract users who are just discovering their problem or need.
Target commercial keywords with comparison content. Reviews, "best of" roundups, and feature comparisons help users evaluate their options before making a decision.
Target transactional keywords with conversion-optimized pages. Product pages, pricing tables, and landing pages with clear CTAs capture users ready to act.
Some keywords have mixed intent — "SEO tools" could be informational or commercial. Check the actual SERP to see what Google ranks. If results show a mix of guides and tool lists, Google sees mixed keyword intent.
Strategy: create comprehensive content that satisfies both intents, or create separate pages targeting each intent type. For example, you might create a detailed guide on "how to choose SEO tools" for informational intent and a separate "best SEO tools compared" page for commercial intent. Understanding search intent in SEO means recognizing these nuances and letting Google serve the right page to the right user based on contextual signals.
| Tool | Best For | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Content Intent Classifier | Batch classification | Free | Real data, 10 keywords, volume + CPC |
| SEMrush Intent Filter | Enterprise SEO | $119+/mo | Built into keyword tool, bulk analysis |
| Ahrefs Intent Tags | Professional SEOs | $99+/mo | Intent tags in keyword explorer |
| Keyword Insights | Content strategists | $58+/mo | AI clustering + intent classification |
| WriterZen | Content teams | $23+/mo | Intent with topic discovery |
Why choose our free tool? Classify keyword intent with real DataForSEO data — including search volume, CPC, and competition — completely free. Paid tools offer this as part of expensive suites, but our standalone classifier gives you the data you need without the subscription.
Discover our complete suite of tools to boost your content strategy
SEO teams and content strategists align content with user intent
Map keywords to content types based on intent data
Decide which content format to create for each keyword
Separate informational from transactional keywords for ad targeting
Align content calendar with funnel stages and intent
Everything you need to know about classifying keyword search intent
Search intent is the underlying goal behind a user's search query — what they're actually trying to accomplish when typing into Google. For example, someone searching "how to tie a tie" has informational intent (they want to learn), while someone searching "buy silk tie online" has transactional intent (they want to purchase). Understanding search intent helps you create the right type of content for each query.
The four types of search intent in SEO are: Informational (seeking knowledge — "how to," "what is" queries), Commercial (researching before buying — "best," "review," "vs" queries), Transactional (ready to buy or take action — "buy," "price," "discount" queries), and Navigational (looking for a specific website — brand name queries). Our tool uses real Google data to classify keywords into these 4 types, so you can match your content format to what users actually expect.
The 3 C's of search intent are: Content type (is the top result a blog post, product page, landing page, or category page?), Content format (is it a how-to guide, listicle, review, comparison, or tutorial?), and Content angle (what unique value proposition or hook do the top results use?). These help you match your content to what Google already ranks for that query — analyzing the 3 C's on the SERP tells you exactly what format and approach to take.
Yes, they're interchangeable terms. Search intent (also called user intent or keyword intent) refers to the purpose behind a search query. "Keyword intent" alone gets 590 monthly searches, showing how widely the concept is discussed under different names. No matter which term you use, the goal is the same: understanding what the searcher wants so you can deliver the right content.
Google ranks content that matches the intent behind a query. If someone searches with commercial intent ("best project management tools") and your page is purely informational, it won't rank — regardless of keyword optimization. Intent alignment is now the most important on-page factor.
Yes, some keywords have mixed intent. "SEO tools" could be informational or commercial. Check the SERP to see what Google ranks — if results are mixed, Google sees mixed intent. You may need to create separate pages or comprehensive content that satisfies both.
Our tool uses DataForSEO's keyword data API, which provides intent classification based on Google's actual search data. This is the same data source used by many premium SEO tools.
Map informational keywords to blog posts and guides, commercial keywords to comparison and review content, transactional keywords to product and landing pages, and navigational keywords to branded pages. This ensures every piece of content has the right format for its target audience.
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