User Intent

User intent is the underlying goal or problem a person is trying to address when interacting with an AI system or search engine. It goes beyond literal keywords to capture motivation, stage, and desired outcome. For SEO, PPC, and AI messaging workflows, understanding intent allows prompt engineers to craft instructions that generate responses which truly solve user needs and drive measurable business results. User intent is the underlying goal or need a person is trying to satisfy when they type a query, click an ad, or start a conversation. It goes beyond literal keywords to capture motivation and stage. For SEO, PPC, and AI messaging systems, correctly inferring intent is essential so prompts and responses deliver content that actually solves the user’s problem and supports business objectives.