Google has updated the structured data guide to better highlight that all three structured data formats are acceptable to Google and also to explain why JSON-LD is recommended.
The updated Search Central page that has been updated is the Supported Formats section of the Introduction to Structured Data Markup in Google Search webpage.
The main changes were adding a new section title (Supported Formats) and expanding this section to include an explanation of the supported structured data formats.
Three structured data formats
Google supports three structured data formats.
- JSON LD
- microdata
- RDFa
However, only one of the above formats, JSON-LD, is recommended.
According to the documentation, the other two formats (Microdata and RDFa) can still be used without any problems. Documentation update explains why JSON-LD is recommended.
Google also made a slight change to a title of a previous section to make it clear that the section deals with the vocabulary of structured data
The original section title, Structured Data Format, is now called Structured Data Vocabulary and Format.
Google added a section title to the section that provides guidance on Google’s preferred structured data format.
This is also the section where the most additional text has been added.
Title of the New Supported Formats section.
The updated content explains why Google prefers the JSON-LD structured data format while confirming that the other two formats are acceptable.
Previously, this section contained only two sentences:
“Google Search supports structured data in the following formats, unless otherwise documented:
Google recommends using JSON-LD for structured data whenever possible.”
The updated section now has the following content:
“Google Search supports structured data in the following formats unless otherwise documented.
In general, we recommend using a format that is easiest for you to implement and maintain (in most cases this will be JSON-LD); All 3 formats are equally suitable for Google as long as the markup is valid and properly implemented according to the function’s documentation.
In general, Google recommends using JSON-LD for structured data if your website setup allows it, as it is the easiest solution for website owners to implement and maintain at scale (in other words, less vulnerable to user error).
Structured Data Formats
JSON-LD is arguably the easiest structured data format to implement, the easiest to scale, and the easiest to edit.
Most if not all WordPress SEO and structured data plugins output JSON-LD structured data.
Nonetheless, it’s a useful update to Google’s structured data guidelines to make it clear that all three formats are still supported.
Google’s documentation on the change can be found here.
Featured image by Shutterstock/Olena Zaskochenko
