What are the 3 C’s of search intent? — SEO Matrix Unlocked

Author Adidas Wilson
5 min readFeb 11, 2024

Understanding the concept of search intent is crucial in both SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and content creation. It involves recognizing what users are really looking for when they type a query into a search engine.

The 3 C’s of search intent simplify this concept into three primary categories: Content Type, Content Format, and Content Angle. By delving into each, content creators and marketers can more effectively align their strategies with user expectations and search engine algorithms.

Content Type

Content type refers to the nature of the content that users expect to find when they make a search query. This can be broadly categorized into informational, navigational, transactional, and commercial investigation.

Informational: Users are seeking information on a topic, answer to a question, or solutions to a problem. For instance, “What are the symptoms of the common cold?” indicates a need for informative content.

Navigational: The search is for a specific website or page. Here, the user already knows where they want to go; for example, “Facebook login” suggests a desire to navigate directly to the Facebook login page.

Transactional: This intent signals a readiness to complete a purchase or perform another…

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Author Adidas Wilson

Adidas Wilson was born in Chicago, surviving a near death experience driving off a bridge in an 18 wheeler and getting hit by a train. Author and Motivator