Definition
Search intent (or query intent) is the underlying goal behind a search query. Four canonical types: informational ('what is X'), navigational ('X login'), commercial investigation ('best X'), transactional ('buy X'). AI engines route different intents through different pipelines: informational triggers RAG retrieval; navigational often hits cache; commercial fans out to comparison candidates. Matching page intent to query intent is the prerequisite for retrieval.
Query 'best CRM for agencies' = commercial. A page that answers 'what is a CRM' (informational) won't be cited despite topical overlap.
How to optimize
Map each landing page to ONE intent. Use the URL + H1 + first paragraph to telegraph intent. Don't try to rank one page for multiple intents.