Methods and computer-storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that facilitate classifying user intent with respect to an entity using intent-strength scores. A user query indicating a particular entity is received. The user's intent with respect to the particular entity is determined by assigning an intent-strength score to the user. The user's intent-strength score is determined using intent-strength scores assigned to seed patterns identified for entities in a category, as well as the received user query. In embodiments, a user's intent-strength score may be updated based on a subsequent query, or may be changed according to a function. A list of users having particular intent-strength scores for particular entities may be also be generated.