How To Optimize Your Recipes for Google Search Intent

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Learn what Google search intent is, why it’s important, and how to optimize it specifically for your food blog! 

What Is Search Intent?

Search intent, also known as user intent, is the reason behind a search inquiry on Google (or any other search engine). It is what a user is trying to find when typing a word or phrase into the search bar. 

When it comes to food blogs, a reader is typically searching for a cooking method, ingredients, or a specific recipe. Search intent SEO is not about the words exactly but rather the meaning behind the words. 

Why Search Intent is Important for SEO for Your Food Blog 

According to letter.ly, as of 2021, there were more than 600 million food blogs across WordPress, Tumblr, and Blogger, and that number just keeps growing. 

Therefore, if you want to stand out from the crowd, you have to focus on nailing search intent when drafting your recipes and food blog posts. Luckily, Google is here to help you. 

The goal of Google is to analyze and deliver relevant content based on the words a viewer is searching for. So, by understanding search intent SEO, you can:

  • Create an effective content strategy 

  • Create relevant recipes and corresponding blog posts

  • Rank higher in search engine results 

(All of which help boost your traffic and ad revenue.)

How Google Search Intent Works for Food Blogs

Typically, when readers take to Google for food blogs, they are looking for a specific recipe. So, say someone types in “chocolate chip cookies”. 

Google may deliver results for bakeries nearby or store-bought cookies. So, the reader may go back to the top and modify their search to read “chocolate chip cookies recipe”.

This result will likely be closer to what they are looking for, and if they want to get even more specific they could add adjectives such as gluten-free, sugar-free, or classic. 

Based on this information Google will be able to filter through the thousands of blogs on the internet, exclude recipes that don’t match, and deliver exactly what a reader is looking to find. 

Types of Search Intent 

Google search intent is typically broken down into four components: 

  • Navigational Intent - Users are looking for a specific page. 

  • Informational Intent - Users want to learn more about a specific topic. 

  • Commercial Intent - Users are doing research before purchasing a specific product. 

  • Transactional Intent - Users want to complete an action (most often a purchase). 

These are important to keep in mind when doing keyword research. For instance, bringing back the chocolate chip cookie example from earlier. 

You wouldn’t want to target chocolate chip cookies for sale when writing a recipe. Instead, you’ll want to target keywords like chocolate chip cookies recipe (navigational intent) or how to make chocolate chip cookies (informational intent). 

Tips to Match Search Intent for Your Food Blog

You don’t (and shouldn’t) guess when it comes to search intent. Instead, look at the data for specific keywords and your blog to make nailing search intent easy. 

  1. Track your data.

  2. Use a keyword tool.

  3. Be precise.

1. Track Your Data

When it comes to published posts, it’s always important to track how they’re performing. If a post isn’t doing well, it could be because the search intent does not match the recipe or content. 

Look at Google Analytics, your Google search console, and any other tracking tools you use. If metrics like the average session duration, time on page, number of page views per session, and bounce rate are not looking great, it’s likely time to revise the post and realign the content. 

2. Use a Keyword Tool

Keyword tools such as SemRush, Ahrefs, and Keysearch are some of the best ways to find keywords people are searching for and to ensure your content matches the intent. 

Many tools even have filtration systems that can allow you to alter the search terms to match a specific search intent! However, I always recommend Googling the keywords you want to target and looking at the top posts to ensure your planned content is similar. 

3. Be Precise

Most readers are coming to Google knowing exactly what they’re looking for. So, targeting one larger keyword and modifying it with long-tail keywords and adjectives can help narrow down the search results, delivering your content to exactly the right viewers. 

For instance, when it comes to recipes there are endless search modifications that can be made based on factors such as: 

  • Ease (easy, beginner-friendly)

  • Time (quick, 30 minute, under an hour)

  • Diet (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, paleo) 

  • Ingredients (apples, dark chocolate, spinach, Brussels sprouts, chicken) 

  • Season (fall, winter, comfort food, holiday, Christmas) 

  • Guide (how to make, step-by-step)

This isn’t an exhaustive list but hopefully gives you a good idea of how to create niche content that will help you rank on Google when it comes to search intent SEO. Weave your primary keywords and modifiers into your titles, copy, meta description, and recipe card to help clue in Google on what exactly your recipe is about. 

Or, hire a food blog writer to do the keyword research, search intent SEO, and blog writing for you to make things easy! And please feel free to leave any questions you may have regarding search intent in the comments below.