Schema Markup for SEO: A Step-by-Step Guide
Schema markup, also known as structured data, is an effective tactic for search engine optimization (SEO). By providing search engines like Google with more detailed information about your website, schema markup can lead to more relevant rankings and visually enhanced search results.
Keep reading to learn how to add schema markup for SEO and get answers to common FAQs!
How to Add Schema Markup to Your Website
Learn how to add schema markup to your website by following these steps:
1. Visit Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper Tool
Google provides an easy-to-use tool called the Structured Data Markup Helper. This tool helps you create schema markup for various types of content.
Some of the schema types you can generate with this tool include:
- Articles
- Events
- Movies
- Restaurants
- Book Reviews
- Job Postings
- Products
- Software Applications
- Datasets
- Local Businesses
- Questions & Answer Pages
- TV Episodes
If your desired schema type isn’t listed, you can explore alternatives like working with a developer or using third-party tools.
2. Select Your Schema Markup Type
Choose the schema type that best fits your content. While you can use multiple schema types on a single page, the Structured Data Markup Helper only allows you to create one type at a time. Repeat the process if you need additional schema types.
3. Add Your URL or HTML
Input the URL of the page you want to tag, or paste its HTML code directly into the tool. Click “Start Tagging” to begin.
4. Tag Your Markup Elements
Highlight text or page elements and assign the appropriate tags. For example:
- Highlight a product name and tag it as “Name.”
- Highlight a description and tag it as “Description.”
Complete all required and optional fields for the best results. If some elements are missing, scroll to the bottom and use the “Add missing tags” option to manually enter data.
5. Generate Your HTML
After tagging your elements, click “Create HTML” to generate your schema markup. Google recommends using JSON-LD, as it is easier to implement and edit than other formats like microdata.
If you prefer microdata, you can change the format using the dropdown menu.
6. Add Schema Markup to Your Website
Copy the generated schema code and paste it into your site’s HTML. You can test it using Google’s Rich Results Test. This tool will check for errors and confirm whether your markup is valid.
After testing, follow Google’s installation instructions to ensure proper implementation.
Bring Schema Markup (and Its SEO Benefits) to Your Site
Now that you know how to add schema markup to your website, you might wonder if you have the time to implement it yourself. If the answer is “No,” we can help! Our team specializes in bringing schema markup and other SEO enhancements to websites like yours.
Let’s get started: Contact us to boost your site’s performance with expert schema implementation.
FAQs About Schema Markup
What is schema markup?
Schema markup is a form of structured data that helps search engines better understand your website’s content. It organizes information in a way that can enhance your website’s visibility and rankings in search results.
Why is schema markup important?
Schema markup provides valuable context to search engines, allowing them to display your content more accurately and effectively. It can also generate rich results, like FAQ dropdowns and product details, which increase click-through rates and user engagement.
What are the types of schema markup?
There are dozens of schema types, including:
- Articles
- Events
- Products
- FAQs
- Local Businesses
To see a full list of Google-supported schema types, visit Google’s documentation.
