Structured Data
Structured data is standardized, machine-readable annotation of web content, most commonly Schema.org vocabulary expressed as JSON-LD.
Also known as: semantic-markup · machine-readable-metadata
Why it matters
Unstructured HTML forces parsers to infer; structured data states intent explicitly. That clarity powers rich results, knowledge panels, and safer AI citations when aligned with visible text.
How it works
Embed a JSON-LD graph describing entities and properties. Crawlers merge it with HTML signals. Rich result eligibility depends on type, policy compliance, and content match. Keep graphs minimal, describe what is on the page, not keyword wishlists.
Common mistakes
- Treating structured data as a ranking cheat code.
- Bloating graphs with every possible type on one URL.
- Forgetting to update `dateModified` when content materially changes.
- Serving different structured data to bots vs users (cloaking).
Best practices
- Mirror visible content exactly in structured properties.
- Centralize generation in one metadata engine per site.
- Test with Rich Results Test after template changes.
- Document which templates emit which types.
Learn Domains perspective
Two product pages describing the same feature with different names confuses search engines and AI assistants alike. Learn Domains keeps titles, descriptions, and structured data aligned across your vault's drafts and live pages, one clear label per product fact.
FAQ
- Is structured data required for SEO?
- Not required, but valuable for clarity and rich features when implemented honestly.
- Can structured data hurt SEO?
- Misleading or invisible markup can erode trust; keep it accurate.
- How does Learn Domains handle FAQ structured data?
- FAQPage JSON-LD only when FAQ content is visible on the page, same rule as articles.
Next steps
- 1Inventory JSON-LD types across top templates.
- 2Remove duplicate or conflicting graphs.
- 3Align Article dates with visible modified timestamps.
Knowledge graph
Parent terms
Related concepts
technical-seo · e-e-a-t · rag