What is structured data and why do I need it in my website?
2/19/2013
Unknown
Structured
data, microdata, microformats, Rich HTML snippets and RDFa. What does all this
mean?
The
term structured data refers to data that is easily identifiable because it is
organized in a structure. The most common form of structured data -- or
structured data records (SDR) -- is a database where specific information is
stored based on a methodology of columns and rows.
In
the context of Search Engine Optimization, structured data is used to assist
search engines to identify and properly catalog the information presented on
your website. Structured data is defined on a website using RDFa, microformat
or microdata markup format. A site that uses structured data properly will
generate rich HTML snippets that will provide additional information to the
user when your site is displayed in search pages.
Rich
HTML Snippets are the few lines of text that
appear under every search result and are designed to give users a sense for the
content on the page and why it’s relevant to their query.
HTML5
microdata, microformats and RDFa are markup formats used to produce structured
data from the information on your website.
•
The first step is to select from
the 3 markup formats and determine which one you are going to use on your site.
Google suggests using microdata, but any of the three formats are
acceptable.
•
The next step is to markup the code
with the selected format.
•
The final step is to use a
structured data testing tool to verify the markup is correct.
Once
these steps have been completed, Google will discover the structured data the
next time your website is crawled. Like all things Google, it may take some
time for rich snippets to appear in search results or place pages.
Google
supports rich snippets for the following content types: Reviews, People,
Products, Business and Organizations, Recipes, Events, and Music. Google also
recognizes the markup for video content and uses it to improve search results.
By
taking the time to implement structured data on your website users searching
relevant search terms will be provided with additional information that will
set your site apart from the rest both informationally and visually.
Krista
Trovato
Web
Designer/Owner
Peerless
design inc.