Contents
- What is microdata?
- Goals of using microdata
- Dictionaries and syntaxes of microdata
- Types of microdata according to Schema.org
- Checking microdata
What is microdata?
Microdata, also known as semantic markup, is a special way of structuring information on a website using tags and additional attributes in HTML code. The main task of microdata is to simplify the processing of information for search engines, allowing them to better understand the content of pages. This, in turn, increases the chances of presenting information in a more organized and understandable way for users.
For example, in the search results of Yandex, you can see how websites with microdata are displayed with detailed snippets that contain useful information about the content. Compare this with websites that do not use microdata, where the information may be presented less clearly, and users may encounter irrelevant data.
Goals of using microdata
Microdata serves several key functions:
- Simplifies content analysis for search engines.
- Allows for the creation of snippets—informative blocks with data about the site in search results.
- Helps users quickly determine if the page contains the information they need.
- Contributes to increased click-through rates and traffic through attractive snippets.
Although microdata does not directly affect the positions of a site in search results, it indirectly contributes to improved behavioral factors and, consequently, ranking. Research shows that brands that implemented microdata were able to increase their CTR by 25-35%.
Dictionaries and syntaxes of microdata
To implement microdata on a website's pages, it is necessary to choose the appropriate dictionary and syntax. A dictionary can be viewed as a set of classes and properties that describe the content of the page, while the syntax defines the rules for using this dictionary. The most common dictionaries include Schema.org and OpenGraph.
Multiple dictionaries can be used simultaneously on one site, allowing for the transmission of more complete data. Syntaxes such as JSON-LD, RDFa, and microdata also have their peculiarities. For example, JSON-LD is recommended by Google and allows data to be placed in a script tag, making it the most convenient to use.
Types of microdata according to Schema.org
There are various types of microdata that can be implemented on a site to improve its representation in search results:
- Article — for articles.
- Recipe — for cooking recipes.
- VideoObject — for videos.
- Product — for product listings.
- Review — for reviews.
- ImageObject — for images and photographs.
Each of these types has its unique attributes that help search engines correctly index and display content. For example, for marking up articles, attributes such as author (author), datePublished (publication date), and headline (headline) can be used.
Checking microdata
To ensure that search engines can correctly detect and process microdata, it is necessary to conduct a check for errors. There are several free tools that can assist with this task:
After successfully checking and addressing any potential errors, you can confidently add microdata to your site, which will improve its visibility in search engines and attract more traffic.