A practical guide to using ChatGPT for SEO: strategy, keywords, briefs, on-page, and outreach. Includes prompts, checklists, data, and pitfalls to avoid.
Search Intent Guide – Match Your Content to What Users Want
When someone types a query into Google, they’re not just looking for any page – they have a specific goal in mind. That goal is called search intent, and figuring it out is the first step to getting traffic that actually converts.
Types of Search Intent
There are four main buckets you’ll see over and over:
- Informational – the user wants to learn something. Example: “how to set up a Facebook ad”.
- Navigational – the user wants to go to a particular site or page. Example: “Instagram login”.
- Transactional – the user is ready to buy or take a specific action. Example: “buy a domain name”.
- Commercial investigation – the user is comparing options before buying. Example: “best email marketing tool 2025”.
Knowing which bucket a query falls into tells you what kind of content to serve. An informational query needs a clear, thorough guide. A transactional query needs a product page with a strong call‑to‑action.
Practical Steps to Align Content
1. Start with the keyword list. Pull the terms from your SEO tools, then write down the likely intent for each. If you’re unsure, type the query into Google and look at the SERP – are you seeing a bunch of guides, product listings, or a map?
2. Match the format. If the SERP shows a list of “how‑to” articles, create a step‑by‑step guide with headings, screenshots, and a quick‑answer summary at the top. For commercial investigation, build a comparison table that highlights price, features, and pros/cons.
3. Use the right headlines. People skim, so include the intent phrase early. Example: “How to Set Up a Facebook Ad – A Complete Beginner’s Guide”. That tells both users and Google exactly what the page covers.
4. Include clear calls‑to‑action. For transactional intent, place a button or form above the fold. For informational intent, add links to related resources that keep the visitor on your site longer.
5. Check the metrics. After publishing, watch organic click‑through rate (CTR), bounce rate, and conversion rate. If users leave quickly, the intent probably doesn’t match the content, and you’ll need to tweak the format or depth.
6. Iterate with AI. Tools like ChatGPT can draft outlines for each intent type. Ask it to generate a “listicle for commercial investigation” or a “step‑by‑step tutorial for informational queries”. Then edit for brand voice and accuracy.
By consistently matching search intent, you’ll see higher rankings, lower bounce rates, and more qualified leads. It’s a simple habit: think about the user’s goal before you write, then shape your page to fulfill that goal. The result? Content that feels right to both people and search engines.
Ready to audit your existing posts? Grab a spreadsheet, list your top keywords, label each with its intent, and rewrite any mismatched pages. Small changes add up, and soon you’ll notice a steady lift in traffic that actually does something for your business.