Intent clusterJul 20, 2026·4 min read
The 40 modifier words that signal buyer intent
A copy-paste list of the modifier words that turn any keyword into a commercial or transactional query.
Part of the Buyer Intent SEO cluster
New here? Start with the pillar guide: Buyer intent SEO: the complete guide to attracting buyers, not tire-kickers.
TL;DR
Forty modifier words — grouped into four intent buckets — reliably signal that a searcher is close to buying. Add one to any topic keyword to shift it toward the money.
Comparison modifiers (commercial)
- best, top, top-rated, leading, review, reviews, comparison, vs, alternative, alternatives, competitor, competitors.
Price modifiers (commercial → transactional)
- price, pricing, cost, cheap, cheapest, affordable, discount, deal, coupon, free trial.
Action modifiers (transactional)
- buy, order, book, hire, download, install, subscribe, sign up, get started, request quote.
Local modifiers (transactional)
- near me, in [city], open now, same day, delivery, local.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stack modifiers?
Yes — 'best cheap crm for startups' stacks three modifiers and is one of the highest-converting keyword shapes on the web.
Put this into practice
Run a RocketRank™ audit and see exactly where you're invisible — and the one-click fix for each finding.
