Commercial Intent

Commercial intent (also called commercial investigation intent) describes queries where the user is researching options before making a purchasing decision. These users are aware they have a need and are actively comparing products, services, brands, or solutions — but have not yet committed to a specific purchase. Common signals include query modifiers like "best," "vs," "review," "top," "alternatives," and "pricing."

Content targeting commercial intent — such as comparison articles, buyer's guides, reviews, and roundups — occupies the middle of the funnel between educational content and direct conversion pages. This content type is strategically important because it influences high-intent buyers at the moment of consideration, making it highly valuable for affiliate sites, SaaS companies, and e-commerce businesses.