In the world of SEO and digital marketing, not all keywords are equal. Some keywords bring traffic that is just browsing, while others attract people who are ready to buy, sign up, or take a real business action. The second group of search terms are known as high intent keywords. These keywords are powerful because they connect businesses with users who are already close to making a decision.
Before we go deeper, let’s understand how search intent connects with user behavior. When a person searches online, they are usually trying to find information, compare options, or make a purchase. High intent keywords target the last two stages, which is why they convert better than general keywords.
In SEO, many beginners focus only on search volume. They try to rank for keywords that thousands of people search every month. But high volume keywords are often informational, broad, and low converting. For example:
- “SEO”
- “iPhone”
- “Running shoes”
These terms do not show any buying intent. The user might just be exploring.
However, if we look at keywords like:
- “buy running shoes online”
- “best SEO agency for small business”
- “iPhone 15 price in Nepal”
These keywords show clear intent. The user is closer to taking action.
Here’s how it works:
Keyword Type | Search Term | Intent | Conversion Likelihood |
Informational | “What is SEO” | Learn | Very Low |
Commercial | “Best SEO tools” | Compare | Medium |
Transactional | “Buy SEO tool subscription” | Purchase | High |
This is why marketers and businesses prefer ranking for high intent keywords even if the search volume is lower. A keyword with 200 monthly searches that converts at 10% is more valuable than a keyword with 10,000 monthly searches that converts at 0.1%.
Types of High Intent Keywords
There are multiple forms of high intent keywords depending on what action the user is close to taking:
1. Transactional High Intent Keywords
These keywords indicate that the user is ready to buy. They often include words like:
- buy
- price
- order
- coupon
- deal
- for sale
- near me
Examples:
- “buy DSLR camera”
- “hosting plan price”
- “MacBook Pro for sale”
- “best SEO course near me”
Users typing these keywords already know what they want and just need a place to purchase from.
2. Commercial High Intent Keywords
These keywords show comparison, research, and selection behavior. The user is in the decision-making phase and will likely convert soon. These include words like:
- best
- top
- compare
- review
- vs
- alternative
Examples:
- “best online accounting software”
- “Elementor vs Divi”
- “top SEO agency in Nepal”
- “Ahrefs alternatives”
These keywords are extremely valuable for affiliate marketing, service businesses, and SaaS.
3. Navigational High Intent Keywords
When users search for a specific brand or platform, they are often already convinced. Examples include:
- “Shopify pricing”
- “Udemy SEO course”
- “Hostinger login”
- “Amazon shoes”
Brand terms often convert very well, especially for e-commerce and SaaS.
4. Analyze Cost-Per-Click (CPC)
High intent keywords usually have higher CPC in platforms like Google Ads because advertisers fight for them. For example:
- “CRM software” may have lower CPC
- “Buy CRM software” may have higher CPC
Higher CPC = Higher commercial value.
Why High Intent Keywords Convert Better
The main reason high intent keywords convert better is because they capture users during the bottom stage of the funnel. In marketing, the funnel is typically:
- Top: Awareness (learning)
- Middle: Consideration (comparing)
- Bottom: Purchase (buying)
High intent keywords target the middle and bottom, where most revenue happens. This makes them a strategic advantage for:
- Affiliate sites
- E-commerce
- SaaS companies
- Service providers
- Local businesses
Instead of trying to educate thousands of people, you’re attracting hundreds who are already ready to pay.
Examples Across Different Niches
To make this clearer, here are examples across industries:
SEO Industry:
Low Intent: “What is SEO”
Medium Intent: “Best SEO tools for beginners”
High Intent: “Buy SEO tool subscription”
E-commerce:
Low Intent: “Running shoes”
Medium Intent: “Best running shoes for gym”
High Intent: “Buy Nike running shoes online”
Local Business:
Low Intent: “Dentist”
Medium Intent: “Best dentist in Kathmandu”
High Intent: “Book dental appointment near me”
How to Use High Intent Keywords in Your Strategy
To get the most value, these keywords should be placed in the right content types:
✅ Landing pages
✅ Product pages
✅ Service pages
✅ Comparison pages
✅ Affiliate reviews
✅ Category pages
✅ Local business listings (Google Business Profile)
Using them inside long blog articles is also useful, but conversion happens best on landing pages with CTAs.
Should You Target High Intent Keywords Even if Volume is Low?
Yes. Because high intent traffic equals high revenue. For example:
Keyword | Volume | Conversion | Revenue Potential |
“SEO” | 40,000 | Low | Low |
“SEO agency for small business” | 350 | High | Very High |
Many SEO beginners make the mistake of chasing volume instead of chasing buyers. Smart marketers chase ROI.
Conclusion
High intent keywords are search queries that indicate the user is ready to take an action such as buying, comparing, subscribing, or contacting a service. They may have lower search volume, but they deliver higher conversions and stronger business results. Understanding and targeting them is one of the fastest ways to increase revenue through SEO.
