Imagine this: someone opens Google and types “best project management tool for remote teams.” They're not just browsing. They're not looking for definitions. They're trying to buy—and they’re looking for the final nudge to choose a product.

This is where commercial intent keywords come in. These are the search terms people use when they’re comparing options, evaluating solutions, and preparing to spend money. And if you’re not showing up at that moment, your competitors probably are.

In this in-depth guide, you’ll learn how to identify, use, and dominate with commercial keywords using smarter keyword research, better Ad keyword selection, and practical examples along the way.

What Are Commercial Intent Keywords?

Commercial intent keywords are search phrases people type when they’re about to make a purchase but still weighing their options. They're in the consideration stage of the buyer's journey.
Let’s break it down with examples.

These are commercial intent searches:

• “best CRM for small business”
• “[Shopify] vs [BigCommerce]”
• “email marketing tools with automation”
• “is [service] worth the money?”
• “top-rated yoga mats under $50”

These aren’t just keywords—they’re intent signals.

People using these queries aren’t in research mode. They’re shopping. They’re looking for reviews, side-by-side comparisons, buyer’s guides, and product lists. That’s your moment to shine—organically or through keywords for Google Ads.

Why They Matter: Buying Decisions Happen Here

Let’s be blunt: If you're not targeting these keywords, you're probably leaving money on the table.

Just look at how they perform for big brands:

• 72% of organic traffic to BestBuy.com comes from commercial intent keywords
• 63% for Kay.com (jewelry)
• Even giants like Amazon, JPMorgan, and Shopify rely heavily on these queries

Why? Because the people searching them are ready to act.

These keywords sit at the intersection of traffic and conversions. You don’t just get visits—you get clicks from people who are more likely to buy.

How to Find Commercial Intent Keywords (with Examples)

1. Use a Keyword Tool That Understands Intent

Modern platforms like Semrush, Ahrefs, or Google Keyword Planner (with some manual validation) can help.

Here’s what to do:

• Use keyword research tools that allow intent filtering
• Sort for “Commercial” or “Transactional” intent
• Export your list and start your keyword phrase collection

For example, let’s say you sell standing desks. Use Semrush to search “standing desk,” and you’ll see terms like:

• “best standing desks 2025”
• “adjustable vs fixed standing desk”
• “standing desk for home office”

Each of those is rich with buying intent.

⮚ Bonus Tip: Don’t just focus on high-volume keywords. Long-tail keywords like “electric standing desk for tall people” may have lower search numbers but often higher conversion rates. These niche queries usually reflect clearer, more specific buyer needs. Consider using them to create tightly focused landing pages or Google Ads campaigns.

2. Try Keyword Scraping from Competitor Pages

Visit top-ranking competitor blog posts, landing pages, and ads. Use tools like Ubersuggest or SEO Minion to scrape keywords, headings, and meta descriptions. You’ll likely uncover long-tail commercial phrases they’re ranking for.

It’s a great tactic for competitive keywords research.

⮚ Extra Insight: Try analyzing competitors’ YouTube video titles and descriptions too—especially review or comparison videos. Tools like VidIQ or TubeBuddy allow basic keyword scraping from these platforms. This gives you keyword ideas that competitors are targeting cross-channel, and you can repurpose them for written content or PPC campaigns.

3. Use Google Itself

Start typing into Google and look at:

• Autocomplete suggestions
• People Also Ask sections
• Related searches

This is a basic but powerful form of keyword phrase parsing—and it's free.

Example: Type “email marketing tools” and you’ll see:

• “email marketing tools with landing pages”
• “mailchimp vs constant contact”
• “is email marketing worth it for small business”

Each of these is loaded with commercial intent.

⮚ Pro Tip: Don’t skip the bottom of the search results page. The “Searches related to...” section often reveals closely connected commercial terms. Manually entering these into a spreadsheet and analyzing intent side-by-side with search volume helps build a data-driven ad keyword selection plan. You can even turn these results into exact-match ad groups for your Google Ads.

4. Explore Forums Like Reddit and Quora

If you're selling niche products or B2B services, go where your customers talk. On Reddit, a post titled “Best VPNs that don’t slow down your speed?” is a goldmine for phrases for advertising.

Capture that insight, validate it, and add it to your keyword phrase collection.

⮚ Extra Application: Look for question patterns or objections people frequently raise. For instance, if people keep asking “Is [X software] really worth the price?”, that’s a commercial query in disguise. Use this to create blog posts that rank for variations like “Is [Product] worth it?”—and address objections proactively in your landing pages or ads.

How to Rank for Commercial Intent Keywords

1. Publish Content That Speaks to Buyer Intent

You need more than blog posts. You need buyer-focused content that mirrors what users are searching for.

Try:

• “Top 10 [Product]” articles
• Comparison pages (e.g. “Asana vs Trello”)
• “Best [Product] under $X” guides
• “Is [Service] Worth It?” content

Real-world example: If you sell accounting software, don’t just write “how to manage finances.” Publish “QuickBooks vs FreshBooks: Which Is Best for Freelancers?” instead.

Use tools like Surfer SEO or Clearscope to optimize the page with high-performing keywords for advertising.

2. Get Featured in Third-Party Rankings

If your product is new or not yet ranking, get listed in someone else's content.

• Reach out to blogs or affiliate marketers
• Offer your product for review
• Highlight what sets you apart
• Suggest how your brand fills a gap in their roundup

This approach is especially helpful if your SEO is new, but your product is great.

3. Run Google Ads Targeting Commercial Keywords

Many commercial queries trigger ads, and this is where ad keyword selection becomes your superpower.

Here’s how to do it right:

1. Open Google Ads
2. Choose the “Search” campaign type
3. Add your google ads keywords (start with exact match)
4. Write compelling, benefit-driven ad copy
5. Link to a landing page that directly answers the query
6. Monitor your cost-per-click and optimize based on conversions

Example:

If someone types “best payroll software for small teams,” your ad should:

• Include the phrase in the headline
• List benefits for small teams
• Offer a free trial or demo

You only pay per click—but if your phrases for advertising are strong, the clicks will be high quality.

4. Use Google Merchant Center if You Sell Products

Want to show up in “Popular Products” or Shopping Ads?

• Upload your product feed
• Match titles to keywords for advertising
• Connect it with Google Ads
• Set your budget and launch

This is perfect for e-commerce brands selling physical goods.

5. Optimize Your Google Business Profile

If you're a local business, commercial intent is often tied to location (e.g., “best dry cleaner near me”).

Make sure to:

• Add relevant keywords to your profile description
• Encourage reviews with specific phrases
• Use keyword phrase parsing to capture local modifiers

This improves your visibility in map results, which dominate local intent searches.

Tracking Success: Don’t Set and Forget

It’s not enough to just publish content or launch ads. You need to monitor how your commercial keywords perform.

Use:

• Google Search Console: see impressions and click-throughs
• Google Ads Reports: track keyword performance
• Semrush Position Tracking: monitor your visibility and discover SERP features

Don’t forget to revisit your competitive keywords research every few months. Markets shift. Intent evolves.

Conclusion: Stop Guessing. Start Targeting Buyers.

Commercial intent keywords are the missing link between visibility and revenue. If you focus your keyword research, your content, and your ad spend on these queries, you’ll stop attracting window shoppers—and start converting real buyers.

Whether you're doing keyword scraping, running ads with Google Ads keywords, or crafting blog posts based on phrases for advertising, the key is simple:

Show up when people are ready to choose.

At our PPC Ads Department, we help brands go from invisible to irresistible. From SEO strategy to PPC campaigns, we specialize in keyword phrase collection, smart ad keyword selection, and building funnels that convert interest into action.

Want to win with commercial keywords? Let’s talk.