Definition · Updated June 2026

What is Intent Data? Plain-English 2026 answer.

Intent data tells you which accounts are actively researching what you sell, so you reach them while they are in-market. Here is how it works.

Short answer

Intent data is information that signals a buyer is actively researching a product or category, used to identify and prioritize accounts that are likely in a buying cycle.

Definition

Intent data captures buying signals: content consumed, searches run, pages visited, topics surged on. First-party intent comes from your own properties (someone reading your pricing page repeatedly); third-party intent is aggregated across the web by providers who detect topic surges at the account level. Used well, it points sales and marketing at accounts that are in-market now, complementing your first-party data.

Why it matters

Most of a buyer's research happens before they ever talk to sales. Intent data lets you reach those accounts during that window rather than after a competitor has. For B2B teams running account-based motions, it is the difference between guessing who to prioritize and knowing. It pairs naturally with the kind of signal-based outreach that AI now makes practical at scale.

What to watch out for

Frequently asked questions

What is an example of intent data?
Repeated visits to your pricing page (first-party), or a third-party provider detecting that an account is surging on searches and content about your category across the web.
What is the difference between first-party and third-party intent data?
First-party intent comes from activity on your own properties and is the strongest signal. Third-party intent is aggregated across the web and detects category research you cannot see directly.
How do B2B teams use intent data?
To prioritize accounts that are actively researching, so sales and marketing can reach them during the buying window. It works best combined with fit data and fast follow-up.

Related terms

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