User Intent refers to the overall goal a user seeks to achieve through their interactions with content or AI. It's a broader concept than Query Intent as it encompasses the entire user journey.
What is User Intent?
User Intent represents the final goal a user seeks to accomplish. Unlike Query Intent which focuses on a single query, User Intent considers the user's entire journey and needs.
User Intent vs Query Intent
| User Intent | Query Intent |
|---|---|
| User's overall goal | Specific query intention |
| Complete journey | Single touchpoint |
| Deep needs | Immediate question |
User Intent Examples
A user searching "ChatGPT visibility audit" likely has the following User Intent:
- Understand if their brand is visible on AI
- Find a tool to measure this visibility
- Improve their presence on AI answer engines
User Intent and conversational AI
Modern AI like ChatGPT-4 and Claude attempt to understand the overall User Intent to provide more complete answers. This is why they often ask clarifying questions.
Optimizing for User Intent
- Create complete content: Anticipate the user's next needs
- Structure the journey: Guide users toward their goal
- Offer relevant CTAs: Facilitate the final action
- Answer related questions: FAQ, related articles