No, it's called an in line fan because it's made to install in the duct line. Has nothing to do with where it's located. It could be used for either intake or exhaust, although usually for exhaust. Intakes are usually passive and if a fan is needed, it's usually a blower as opposed to an in line fan. Most of us use a passive intake, no blower, and a carbon filter hooked to a piece of ducting that runs to the inline fan, then more ducting to the exhaust port.