How is "user intent" defined in rater guidelines?

User intent is defined as the reason or goal behind a user's search query. Understanding user intent is essential for evaluating the relevance and quality of search results because it informs the rater about what the user is trying to achieve with their search. This concept goes beyond just the words entered into a search engine; it encompasses the motivation or need that drives the query. For example, a user searching for "best hiking trails" is likely seeking information that helps them plan a hike, which indicates that their intent is informational and oriented toward finding specific recommendations.

Focusing on user intent helps ensure that search results are aligned with what the user expects to find, making it a crucial element in search engine evaluation and optimization. Thus, recognizing and interpreting user intent allows raters to assess how well the search results fulfill the user's needs and goals, leading to a more satisfactory user experience.