Google Retires 7 Structured Data Features To Simplify Search Results
Google has announced that it is retiring seven structured data types in order to simplify Search results. This change, which is expected to roll out over the course of the next few weeks, will change how search results are displayed, but won’t impact the ranking of websites.
Why Is Google Making These Updates?
Google is retiring these structured data types because they were rarely used and were not adding significant value to users anymore. By retiring these structured data types, Google is trying to simplify the search experience and focus on experiences that have more value and engagement.
Google also said:
“We are retiring these specific structured data types because our research shows that they are not commonly used in Search, and we found that these specific displays are no longer providing significant additional value for users. Removing them will help streamline the results page, and focus on other experiences that are more useful and widely used. This change does not impact how pages are ranked. The simplification will mean that some results will lose certain visual enrichment powered by structured data types, but will create a cleaner presentation. No impacts to the use of those structured data types outside of Google Search.”
Which Structured Data Features are Sunset?
The following seven types of structured data will be removed:
- Book Actions: This was a feature that allowed publishers to include action buttons for books (like options to buy the book or preview it) that appeared in the search snippets.
- Course Info: This enhanced educational course display by adding instructor names, and details about the course.
- Claim Review: This supported fact-checking efforts, by showing the reviewed claim and whether or not it was verified.
- Estimated Salary: This highlighted the estimated salary range for job listings.
- Learning Video: This was structured information for educational video’s content.
- Special Announcement: This was used to show important announcements to the public especially during events like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Vehicle Listing: This provided enhanced display for car listings to show vehicle pricing or specifications.
What does this mean for websites?
Websites that utilized these structured data types will still be able to display their content in the search results, but without the underlying visual components that were there before. Google Search may no longer use the structured data for purposes to enhance content in organic results, but the structured data will still be able to be used for anything outside of Google Search with no modifications.
Do I have to do anything?
There is nothing that needs to be done immediately by the site owners. Just know that visual components that were there previously will begin to disappear over the next weeks and months.
Stay Updated with Daily News— Click Here to Explore More