In this digital age where consumers consistently prioritize searching for products and services through Search Engines, it’s undeniable that SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is not just a marketing strategy that helps businesses effectively reach their target audience and create online visibility, but also helps build credibility and sustainable growth opportunities for businesses. For this reason, Schema Markup was invented and developed to help all users truly enhance their website’s SEO efficiency.
What is Schema Markup?
Schema Markup is a few lines of code that is installed as an add-on to web pages to help search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo not only better understand content, but also help these search engines extract useful information from web pages to display on Search Engine Results Pages (SERP), leading to higher rankings and increased website traffic.
Why Is It Important for SEO?
As one of the most effective strategies in helping Google understand website content in greater detail, it leads to increased opportunities for websites to stand out and attract more visitors.
- Helps Google Understand Website Content
Schema Markup plays a crucial role in helping Google Bot understand the elements and content on web pages accurately and completely by systematically organizing data structure, leading to increased chances of higher rankings on Search Engine Results Pages (SERP).
- Helps Increase Click-Through Rate (CTR)
Not only does it make website information more prominent in the eyes of Search Engines, but it also allows website information to display as Rich Snippets, such as review scores, images, or frequently asked questions, which can help make users more interested and likely to click through to visit the website, resulting in increased click-through rates and website traffic.
Types of Schema Markup
- Article: Content that is article-based such as news, blog posts, or interesting educational content
- Product: Content used to display product details such as product name, price, and review scores
- FAQ: Content related to frequently asked questions and answers, which can effectively increase chances of Rich Results display
- Event: Content about shows or various events such as concerts, conferences, or workshops, which usually includes clear details about date, time, location, and ticket booking links
- Local Business: Content with local business details such as location, opening-closing hours, and contact numbers
Installation Methods
Schema Markup can be installed on websites through various methods depending on expertise level and chosen tools:
1. Installation using Schema Generator
Tools installation using Schema generator tools can be done by using tools like Structured Data Markup Helper to select the desired Schema format and enter the website URL where you want to install Schema Markup, then generate HTML and copy the resulting script to install on the website without having to write code manually.
2. Direct HTML Code Installation
Direct HTML code installation involves adding Structured Data in JSON-LD format directly into the website’s HTML code. This method is the most popular as it’s easy to understand and is recommended directly by Google.
3. Installation via WordPress Plugins
For WordPress plugin installation, all users can choose to install the Schema & Structured Data for WP & AMP plugin and select the type of Schema they want to install on their web pages quickly and conveniently for effective SEO benefits.
Verification Process
After installing Schema Markup on the website, all users can test whether the installation appears complete to Google Bot by following these simple steps:
- Visit https://search.google.com/test/rich-results
- Enter the URL of the webpage you want to test, or enter the HTML code with Schema Markup
- Select TEST URL or TEST CODE to begin testing
- The system will show installation results detected on the webpage and any errors that may occur along with improvement recommendations
Results Analysis
After installing the tool on the website, all users can analyze SEO results using Google Search Console, which can help track how many times your website appears as Rich Snippets in search results and in what format. Additionally, Google Search Console helps you check whether using Schema Markup has increased website click-through rates, providing precise analysis of implementation results.
Key Benefits of Installing This Tool
It’s clear that Schema Markup is a crucial tool for improving SEO efficiency, as it not only helps Search Engines better understand website content and context but also increases chances of content being displayed as Rich Snippets that can make web pages stand out, leading to attracting users and effectively increasing Click-Through Rate (CTR).