Structured Data Testing – 10 Best Structured Data Testing Tools
Post Outline
Structured Data Testing refers to verifying that the structured data (schema markup or semantic markup) added to a website or web page is accurate, well-formed, and follows the appropriate standards and guidelines. Structured data is a standardized format for providing information about a page and classifying the content on the page, making it easier for search engines to understand the meaning and context of the content.
Testing structured data helps to ensure that search engines can correctly interpret the information and display it in a useful and visually appealing way, such as in rich snippets or knowledge graphs. Common types of structured data include schema.org markup, Microdata, and JSON-LD.
The testing process typically involves using structured data testing tools, such as Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool or the Rich Results Test, to validate the structured data on a page and identify any errors or warnings. These tools allow developers and marketers to preview how the structured data will appear in search results and make any necessary adjustments before publishing the changes.
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It is important because:
- Improved search visibility: By adding structured data to a website, search engines can better understand the content on the page and display it in a visually appealing way, such as in rich snippets or knowledge graphs, which can improve the visibility of the website in search results.
- Increased click-through rates: Rich snippets and knowledge graphs can provide users more information about a website, making it more likely that they will click through to the website.
- Better accessibility: Structured data can improve the accessibility of a website for users with disabilities, as it provides additional information that can be interpreted by assistive technologies.
- Improved SEO: By providing additional information to search engines, structured data can improve the SEO of a website, making it more likely to rank higher in search results for relevant keywords.
Therefore, it is important to use structured data testing tools to validate the structured data and ensure that it is implemented correctly. This can help avoid any issues that could negatively impact the website’s search visibility and performance, and ensure that the website is providing the best possible experience for users.
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- Rich snippets: Structured data can be used to create rich snippets, which are enhanced descriptions of content in search results. Rich snippets can improve a website’s visibility and click-through rate in search results by providing users with more information about the content.
- Knowledge graphs: Structured data can be used to create knowledge graphs, which are visual representations of information in search results. Knowledge graphs can provide users with a more comprehensive understanding of a topic and increase the likelihood that they will click through to a website.
- Improved crawlability: By providing additional information to search engines, structured data can improve the crawlability of a website, making it easier for search engines to index the content and understand its meaning.
- Better entity recognition: Structured data can help search engines better understand the relationships between entities, such as people, places, and things, which can improve the accuracy of search results.
- Improved relevance: Structured data can provide additional information to search engines about the content on a website, making it easier for search engines to match the content with relevant search queries, which can result in improved relevance and rankings.
Overall, structured data can positively impact SEO by providing additional information to search engines and improving the visibility, relevance, and crawlability of a website in search results.
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- Rich snippets: Structured data can be used to create rich snippets, which are enhanced content descriptions in search results. Rich snippets can include information such as the author’s name, the date the content was published, and the rating of a product or service.
- Knowledge graphs: Structured data can be used to create knowledge graphs, which are visual representations of information in search results. Knowledge graphs can provide users with a more comprehensive understanding of a topic and include information such as the relationships between entities, such as people, places, and things.
- Product listings: Structured data can be used to provide information about products, such as their price, availability, and reviews. This information can be displayed in search results, making it easier for users to find the products they are looking for.
- Local business information: Structured data can be used to provide information about local businesses, such as their address, phone number, and hours of operation. This information can be displayed in search results and in Google Maps.
- Event information: Structured data can be used to provide information about events, such as the date, time, and location. This information can be displayed in search results and in calendar applications.
- Recipe information: Structured data can be used to provide information about recipes, such as the ingredients, cooking time, and calorie count. This information can be displayed in search results and in recipe applications.
Overall, structured data is used to provide additional information about a website or web page to search engines and other applications, which can enhance the way the content is displayed and improve the user experience.
Structured Data Testing Tool
Structured data testing tools are used to validate and check the implementation of structured data on a website. Structured data is a type of code that provides information about a page and its content to search engines and other web crawlers in a standardized format, such as JSON-LD, Microdata, or RDFa. The use of structured data can enhance the visibility and appearance of a website in search engine results, making it easier for users to find the information they are looking for.
Structured data testing tools allow website owners and developers to verify that their structured data is correctly implemented and can be understood by search engines and other web crawlers. Some of the common tasks performed by these tools include checking for syntax errors, verifying that the structured data is properly nested and formatted, and verifying that the data accurately describes the content on the page.
How Does Structured Data Testing Tools Work?
- Crawling: The tool crawls the website to find all the pages that contain structured data.
- Extracting: The tool extracts the structured data from each page and stores it in a format that can be analyzed.
- Validating: The tool validates the structured data against the specified standards to ensure that it is properly formatted and follows the guidelines. This step involves checking the structured data’s syntax, content, and other attributes.
- Reporting: The tool generates a report summarising the validation process results. The report highlights any errors or warnings found in the structured data and provides recommendations for fixing them.
Overall, structured data testing tools help webmasters and developers ensure that their structured data is correct, complete, and follows best practices. This can improve the visibility and discoverability of their content in search engines and other applications that use structured data.
10 best Structured Data Testing Tools
Here are 10 of the best-structured data testing tools, each with a brief explanation of its features and benefits:
- Google Search Console: This is a free tool provided by Google that allows webmasters to monitor their website’s performance in Google search results. It includes a structured data testing tool that validates the structured data on a page and provides detailed error reports.
- Google Structured Data Testing Tool: This is a standalone tool provided by Google that allows users to test a single page or a code snippet for structured data errors. It provides a visual representation of the structured data and detailed error reports.
- Schema App Structured Data Validator: This tool provides real-time validation of structured data and includes a feature to highlight errors directly on the page. It also includes a library of schema.org examples and templates to help users create structured data.
- TechnicalSEO.com Structured Data Validator: This is a free tool that validates structured data and provides a detailed report of errors and warnings. It also includes a feature to compare structured data across multiple pages on a website.
- Yandex Structured Data Validator: This is a free tool provided by Yandex, a Russian search engine, that validates structured data and provides a detailed report of errors and warnings. It supports a variety of structured data formats, including schema.org and microdata.
- Microdata Generator: This is a tool that helps users generate and validate structured data for their pages. It includes a visual editor and a report of errors and warnings.
- SDTT by SEO Spider: This is a structured data testing tool included in the SEO Spider software, which is a web crawler that provides detailed information about a website’s structure and content.
- Moz Structured Data Testing Tool: This is a tool included in Moz Pro, a comprehensive SEO suite. It provides detailed reports of structured data errors, warnings and recommendations for fixing them.
- Ryte Structured Data Testing Tool: This tool is included in Ryte, a website optimization and monitoring platform. It provides real-time validation of structured data and detailed errors and warning reports.
- Structured Data Testing Tool by Screaming Frog: This is a tool included in the Screaming Frog SEO Spider. This web crawling tool provides detailed information about a website’s structure and content. It validates structured data and provides a detailed report of errors and warnings.
How To Use Structured Data Testing Tools
Structured data testing tools are used to check if your website’s structured data (such as schema.org markup) is correctly implemented and can be understood by search engines. Here’s how you can use these tools:
- Choose a testing tool: There are many structured data testing tools available, such as Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool, the Structured Data Linter, and the Structured Data Validator. Choose the one that you prefer.
- Copy the URL of the page you want to test: Copy the URL of the page you want to test and paste it into the testing tool.
- Check for errors and warnings: The testing tool will analyze the structured data on the page and report any errors or warnings it finds. Correct any errors or warnings to ensure that your structured data is implemented correctly.
- Verify your structured data: You can also verify that search engines are using structured data by using the Rich Results Test tool, which shows you how your page will look when it’s displayed in the search results.
- Repeat the process for each page on your website: It’s important to test each page to ensure that all of your structured data is correctly implemented.
Note: It’s important to regularly check and update your structured data, as changes to your website, such as adding new content or changing the structure, can affect how search engines interpret your structured data.