In a Google web optimization Workplace Hours, Google’s Martin Splitt answered a query about structured information validation and the way Google’s validator can present completely different outcomes than the Schema.org validator.
Structured Information Validation
Each Google and Schema.org supply instruments for validating if structured information is right.
Google’s device is named the Rich Results Test.
Schema.org’s device is named the Schema Markup Validator.
Google’s device validates structured information and it additionally affords suggestions on whether or not the examined structured information qualifies for wealthy leads to the search engine outcomes pages.
Wealthy outcomes are enhanced search listings that makes the itemizing stand out on the search outcomes.
The Schema.org Schema Markup Validator checks if the structured information is legitimate based on the official requirements.
Why Does Google’s Validator Differ From Schema.org?
One would assume that each structured information validators are validating by the identical guidelines.
So it’s query as to why each validators might present completely different outcomes.
The particular person asking the query famous that their structured information validated completely on the Schema.org however not with Google’s validator.
They requested:
“Why does structured information present errors on Google however not schema.org?
Google Search Console is exhibiting errors for invalid enum worth in subject ‘returnFees‘ however our schema.org check says no error.
Please advise.”
Google’s Martin Splitt answered:
“Schema.org is an open and vendor-independent entity that defines the information varieties and attributes for structured information.
Google, as a vendor nonetheless, may need particular necessities for some attributes and kinds to be able to use the structured information in product options, similar to our wealthy leads to Google Search.
So whereas simply leaving out some attributes or utilizing some sort of values for an attribute is ok with Schema.org, distributors similar to Google and others may need extra particular necessities to be able to use the structured information you present to really improve options and merchandise.”
Goal of Google’s Validator
Google’s validator has a function that’s completely different from simply checking if the structured information is legitimate.
It’s checking to see if the structured information that Google requires (for probably exhibiting a webpage in enhanced search outcomes) is legitimate.
The Schema.org validator is simply checking for requirements and has nothing to do with how Google makes use of structured information.
Is Google’s Validator Higher?
Yet one more factor to know concerning the Schema.org validator is that it might probably typically falsely report that legitimate code is invalid.
I lately encountered this the place I took a JSON-LD structured information instance of right code from Schema.org and examined it in each validators.
The Schema.org validator confirmed a false error whereas Google’s validator accurately validated it.
So at the least on this case, Google’s validator was extra correct.
It’s at all times apply to test Google’s structured information information to be sure to’re website is coding for Google as a result of the overall use of structured information is for enhanced listings.
Hearken to the web optimization Workplace Hours on the 4 minute mark:
Featured picture by Shutterstock/ViDI Studio
