SERP Intent
01 Definition
SERP Intent meaning: SERP intent is the goal behind a search, read from the results Google shows.
SERP intent is the purpose a searcher has, inferred from the mix of results a search engine returns for a query. Studying the current results page shows whether Google favors guides, product pages, videos, or local listings. Matching that format and angle is often necessary to compete.
Also called
Why it matters
How SERP Intent fits the work
Reading the results page shows what format and angle Google already rewards for a query, which guides how you shape a page to compete.
In context
The results for best running shoes were all comparison lists, so the team built a ranked list rather than a single product page.
Practical note
Intent can shift over time and by location, so recheck the live results before building a page. The current results page is a stronger signal than the keyword's wording alone.