What is Schema Markup?
Schema markup, also called structured data, is a standardized vocabulary (schema.org) that makes webpage content machine-readable for search engines. By implementing schema markup, websites can get rich snippets in search results - enhanced displays with stars, prices, images, FAQs, or event data. Common schema types are: Organization, LocalBusiness, Product, Article, FAQ, HowTo, Event, Recipe, and Review. Schema can be implemented in JSON-LD (recommended by Google), Microdata, or RDFa format. Rich snippets significantly increase click-through rate as they take up more space in search results and show more information.
Key Points
- JSON-LD is the format preferred by Google
- FAQ schema can show direct answers in SERP
- LocalBusiness schema essential for local businesses
- Product schema for e-commerce with price and reviews
- Use Google Rich Results Test for validation
- Not all schema types generate rich snippets
Practical Example
“After implementing FAQ schema, our questions appear directly in Google results with 35% higher CTR.”