Query Intent
Query intent is what a shopper is actually trying to accomplish with a search — find a specific product, browse a category, or compare options — as distinct from the literal words they typed.
Part of Search Intent
Two shoppers can type very different queries with the same underlying intent, or the same query with different intent depending on context. Search systems that account for intent, not just literal text, can rank or route results differently based on what the shopper is likely trying to do.