Definition
Purchase intent is how closely a question is tied to an actual buying decision. “Why does my vacuum lose suction?” is low intent; “which is quieter, LumiClean Pro or HomeMate X2?” is high intent.
Intent is read from the wording: comparisons, price limits, model names and “best for” phrasing signal a decision in progress. Grouping questions by intent separates the ones that build awareness from the ones that close sales.
Why it matters
Not every question is worth the same. Being absent from a high-intent comparison costs more than being absent from a general explainer, so intent decides what to fix first.
How it is measured
Each question is scored for intent from its wording and buying stage, and the score is combined with demand, competitor visibility and content fit to rank opportunities. It is a classification, not a prediction of conversion.
