Schema Markups: The SEO elite

What is Schema Markup?

Schema Markup is defined as:

Schema markup, also known as structured data, is the language of search engines, using a unique semantic vocabulary. It is code used to more clearly provide information to search engines in order to understand your content. In turn, this helps provide users with better, more accurate information in the rich snippets that are displayed beneath the page title.

Search engine crawlers work on defining content as per its relevance and structure. The relevance of the article is one of the reasons why some articles rank on SERPs. Schema mark-up can be defined as the language of the search engine, when there is a markup, Google understands the article based on the structured data (i.e. Schema markup).

There are many types of Schema markups, the website organization for Schema is https://schema.org/. Schema is common between Google, Bing, and Yahoo, which shows that it has algorithmic relevance as well.

Why is Schema Markup is so important?

When you make content for your website, you need to make it easier for Google to understand you. The easiest way to explain why need it.

When Google understands your content, it displays it in a way that gets the website more clicks. This information also helps your website rank better for all kinds of content types, get found, and in turn, get more clicks.

If you go on Google to search for an item for your home, Google will rank websites with Schema markup higher than websites that don't, mainly because it is making the user decision easier.

Note: Schema is basic SEO, you need it to rank better!

Schema FAQs as to why they are important:

Creating a new schema with common support benefits webmasters, search engines and users.

1. Webmasters: Schema.org provides webmasters with a single place to go to learn about markup, instead of having to graft together a schema from different sources, each with its own rules, conventions, and learning curves.

2. Search engines: Schema.org focuses on defining the item types and properties that are most valuable to search engines. This means search engines will get the structured information they need most to improve search.

3. Users: When it is easier for webmasters to add markup, and search engines see more of the markup they need, users will end up with better search results and a better experience on the web.

Types of Schema Markups:

1. Organization Schema Markup

Features include Company introduction, including official logo, contact info, location, and social profiles.

2. Product & Offer Schema Markup

Features include sell a specific item of a service or product. Helps you market your product better, as you can put reviews, product information such as price as well.

3. Breadcrumbs Markup

Features: Helps the customer jump directly to the product they are looking for. Useful for e-commerce companies!! 4. Article Schema Markup

The most common markup available on Google. This markup helps Google understand the content that needs to be pulled from your website.

5.Rating/Review Schema Markup

When you are purchasing a product and your website already provides the rating in the form of Schema markup. Your CTR increases, especially when your website ranks high.

There are more types of Schema markups available and you can choose as per the industry, however, it is crucial for your SEO strategy to have one in the SERPs.

Schema Encoding Types:

There are three ways of encoding Schema directly into your HTML:

1. JSON-LD (Most preferred)

2. Microdata

3. RFDa

JSON-LD (JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Objects) is the preferred method of adding structured data to your website because it is the easiest to understand as well as implement into the code of your site.

The tool you can use is: https://www.jsonschema.net/login

Google helps you implement your Schema:

1. https://www.google.com/webmasters/markup-helper/u/0/ (When you are about to implement it)

2. https://developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/structured-data (When you are testing it)

3. For WordPress user, Yoast SEO tool and Yoast are excellent plug-ins.

If you are designing your SEO strategy, then you must focus on creating the best form of markup for yourself in order to drive the best results for your website.

Important sources:

1. https://developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/structured-data/article

2. https://www.impactplus.com/blog/what-is-schema-markup-and-how-to-implement-it

3. https://moz.com/learn/seo/schema-structured-data

4. https://developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/structured-data/intro-structured-data