How should you rate queries that have a clear user intent despite being misspelled?

User intent is a crucial factor when evaluating queries, particularly in cases where spelling errors are present. If a query reflects a clear user intent—meaning the underlying purpose of the search is understandable—it should be rated based on that intent. This approach ensures that users receive relevant results, even if their spelling is not perfect.

Understanding user intent allows evaluators to assess the quality of the query more accurately. If a user is searching for a specific product or information, even if they misspell something, the goal remains to connect them with relevant content that fulfills that need. This emphasis on intent over spelling recognizes the reality that users may not always type their queries correctly, yet still have a definitive purpose.

In contrast, disregarding intent would ignore the fundamental purpose of the search, leading to ratings that do not reflect the actual needs of the users. Rating queries as low quality solely based on spelling mistakes would also overlook the effectiveness of the query in achieving the user's goals. On the other hand, suggesting that a query is of high quality only if context is understood may introduce subjectivity and inconsistency in evaluation. Prioritizing user intent provides a more objective and user-centric approach to query rating.