Commercial Investigation
Commercial Investigation refers to a specific type of search intent where users already have basic information about a product or service and are now looking for deeper, comparative, or evaluative information. These users are in the Consideration Phase of the customer journey and are willing to invest time in research.
Characteristics of Commercial Investigation
- Comparative Search: Users compare different options
- Review-Oriented: Search for reviews, test reports, and ratings
- Information-Intensive: Detailed research before purchase decision
- Time-Intensive: Longer dwell time on relevant pages
- Multi-Device: Research often occurs across different devices
Commercial Investigation vs. Other Search Intents
Search Intent
User Behavior
Typical Keywords
Conversion Potential
Informational
Learning and understanding
"what is", "how does it work"
Low
Navigational
Finding specific website
Brand name, "login"
Medium
Commercial Investigation
Comparing and evaluating
"best", "comparison", "test"
High
Transactional
Buying or booking
"buy", "order", "price"
Very High
Typical Commercial Investigation Keywords
Comparison Keywords
- "best [product] 2025"
- "[product] comparison"
- "[product] vs [competitor]"
- "top [category] providers"
Test and Review Keywords
- "[product] test"
- "[product] review"
- "[product] experience"
- "[product] pros and cons"
Decision Keywords
- "which [product] to buy"
- "[product] recommendation"
- "[product] for beginners"
- "[product] worth it"
Content Strategies for Commercial Investigation
1. Create Comparison Articles
Best Practices for Comparison Articles:
- Define objective evaluation criteria
- Create tabular overviews
- Pro and con lists
- Include expert opinions
- Regular updates
2. Test Reports and Reviews
Elements of a Good Test Report:
- Detailed product description
- Transparent testing methodology
- Measurable results
- Real user experiences
- High-quality images and videos
3. Buyer's Guide Content
Structure of a Buyer's Guide:
- Introduction: What is [product category]?
- Purchase Criteria: What to look for?
- Product Comparison: Top options in detail
- Recommendations: For different use cases
- FAQ: Answer common questions
SEO Optimization for Commercial Investigation
On-Page SEO Elements
Optimize Title Tags:
- "Best [Product] 2025: Top 10 Models Comparison"
- "[Product] Test: Independent Review + Buying Guide"
- "[Product] vs [Competitor]: Detailed Comparison 2025"
Meta Descriptions:
- Include call-to-action
- Highlight main advantages
- Use trust signals
- Signal currency
Content Structuring
Heading Hierarchy:
- H1: Main title with primary keyword
- H2: Product categories or comparison aspects
- H3: Individual products or criteria
- H4: Specific features or details
Internal Linking
Strategic Linking:
- To detailed product pages
- To related comparison articles
- To buying guides
- To FAQ sections
Technical Implementation
Schema Markup
Important Schema Types:
Reviewfor test reportsProductfor product informationAggregateRatingfor average ratingsFAQPagefor common questions
Core Web Vitals
Optimization Focus:
- Fast loading times (LCP < 2.5s)
- Minimal layout shifts (CLS < 0.1)
- Responsive interactions (FID < 100ms)
Conversion Optimization
Call-to-Action Strategies
Effective CTA Strategies:
- Comparison tables with "Compare Now" buttons
- "More Details" links to product pages
- "Price Comparison" buttons
- Newsletter signup for updates
Trust Signals
Building Trust:
- Expert quotes and testimonials
- Certificates and awards
- Transparent testing methodology
- Regular content updates
- Social proof elements
Measurement and Analysis
KPIs for Commercial Investigation Content
Important Metrics:
- Dwell Time: > 4 minutes
- Bounce Rate: < 40%
- Scroll Depth: > 70%
- Conversion Rate: 2-5%
- Return Visitor Rate: > 30%
Google Analytics Setup
Define Custom Events:
- Comparison table interactions
- CTA clicks
- Video plays
- Download activities
- Newsletter signups
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Content Quality
Avoid superficial comparisons without real research
Common Mistakes:
- Superficial product descriptions
- Outdated information
- Lack of objectivity
- Weak call-to-actions
- Poor mobile optimization
SEO Pitfalls
Avoid:
- Keyword stuffing in comparisons
- Duplicate content between articles
- Poor internal linking
- Missing schema markups
- Slow loading times
Tools and Resources
Keyword Research Tools
Recommended Tools:
Content Analysis Tools
For Competitive Analysis:
- Competitor Content Gap Analysis
- SERP Feature Monitoring
- Content Performance Tracking
- User Intent Analysis