Intent Detection
Intent Detection is AI technology that identifies buying signals, needs, and purchase intent from customer conversations. Rather than waiting for customers to explicitly say "I want to buy," intent detection recognizes subtle cues—questions asked, objections raised, timeline mentioned—that signal readiness to move forward.
What Is Intent Detection?
Intent detection uses natural language processing to analyze customer language and identify intent to buy, explore options, or solve a problem. A customer mentioning "we have budget approved for Q1" signals high intent. A customer asking "do you have a trial?" signals research-phase intent. Plura's conversation intelligence automatically detects these signals in real-time calls, SMS, and chat, helping teams prioritize high-intent prospects and route them efficiently.
How Intent Detection Differs From Explicit Statements
Intent is often implicit, not explicit:
- Explicit: "I want to buy your product"
- Implicit Intent Signals: Asking detailed product questions, mentioning budget, discussing timeline, comparing competitors, asking for references
- Strength: Implicit signals are more honest—prospects reveal true intent through questions rather than sales-speak
- Automation Advantage: Humans miss subtle intent signals; AI catches them in real-time
Why Intent Detection Matters for Sales Efficiency
Intent detection transforms sales from broadcast to targeted. Rather than pitching everyone equally, sales teams can focus on high-intent prospects and move them faster. Plura's AI agents detect intent during qualification conversations and instantly route high-intent prospects to your sales team, eliminating delays and improving conversion.
How Plura Detects Intent
Plura's platform identifies intent through:
- Conversation Content: What questions are customers asking? Budget mentions? Timeline discussions?
- Behavioral Signals: How many pages visited? Demo attendance? Email engagement?
- Tone and Language: Enthusiasm level, specificity of questions, urgency signals
- Real-Time Classification: Agents know immediately if a prospect is exploratory, evaluating, or ready to buy
Intent Levels and Sales Action
Effective sales teams categorize intent:
- Low Intent: Generic questions, early research phase → nurture, not sales
- Medium Intent: Specific questions, comparing options → qualify, provide information
- High Intent: Budget confirmed, timeline mentioned, competitive discussion → immediate sales outreach
- Action: Route only medium+ intent to sales to maximize efficiency
FAQs related to
Intent Detection
Can I detect intent from text or only voice?
Both. Intent signals appear in voice conversations, written messages, email, and chat. A customer asking detailed questions in an email shows intent just as clearly as on a call. Plura analyzes all channels for intent signals.
How accurate is AI intent detection?
Modern ML models achieve 80-90% accuracy on clear intent signals. Intent is contextual, so some edge cases require human judgment. Use intent detection as a guide, not absolute truth.
Should I only pursue high-intent leads?
High-intent leads convert faster. But medium-intent leads often have high lifetime value once nurtured. Segment by intent and apply different strategies: nurture medium-intent; fast-track high-intent.
Can intent change during a conversation?
Yes. A prospect might start low-intent (learning about options) and reveal high intent as questions progress. Real-time intent tracking catches these shifts so you respond appropriately.
How do I train AI to detect intent in my industry?
Provide examples of high/medium/low intent conversations from your sales data. AI learns your intent patterns and improves accuracy over time. Most platforms improve significantly after 100-200 labeled examples.