Leveraging the powers of Structured Data ✨

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Leveraging the Powers of
Structured Data
✨

@izzionﬁre #SMX
(from a realist / optimistic
SEO perspective)
✨

@izzionﬁre #SMX
I’m in a great mood today.

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Let’s get Ryte to it

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Structured Data is an area that is
constantly developing and evolving

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Some Hot Structured Data News of 2020
Google ends Rich Results
for data-vocabulary
New Results for Image Licenses
& COVID announcements
FAQ Rich Results will be
shown less frequently
Jan 2020 April / May 2020 July 2020
💀 💬
Stronger updates to
Documentation
✍
Reﬁnement of Result
Type requirements
🌟

@izzionﬁre #SMX
& Google made a bold move in July 2020

@izzionﬁre #SMX
So long SDTT 👋😢

@izzionﬁre #SMX
“Even without the structured data leading to rich
results, our systems proﬁt by understanding the pages
better when they use structured data,”
09.10.19 - #AskGoogleWebmasters

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Entity
Knowledge
Cards
Entity
Knowledge
Panel

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Speculative
Fiction
Is Author of
Is Based on
actor
Starred in
Ottawa,
Canada
Born in
18.11.
1939
has Birth date Dystopian
Fiction
May,
2003
Published on
L.A.,
USA
The Knowledge
Graph

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Speculative
Fiction
Is Author of
Is Based on
actor
Starred in
Ottawa,
Canada
Born in
18.11.
1939
has Birth date Dystopian
Fiction
May,
2003
Published on
L.A.,
USA

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Structured Data is a crucial aspect
behind enriched Semantic Search

@izzionﬁre #SMX
To align this crucial process, schema.org was developed

@izzionﬁre #SMX
But ~9 years later, is Schema.org markup still needed?

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Countless systems are in place for Entity recognition...

@izzionﬁre #SMX
… and for extracting facts from unstructured text.

@izzionﬁre #SMX
But we need to markup our properties and deﬁne intrinsic connections
as an additional step towards data accuracy
Your
Data
Structure Data Interchange
Format

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Especially to provide reliable nested connections for our item types
https://schema.org/Recipe
https://schema.org/Organization
https://schema.org/VideoObject
https://schema.org/Review
https://schema.org/Person

@izzionﬁre #SMX
To give businesses a better chance and easier way of
building their own connected Knowledge Graphs
https://izzi.com/tshirt#product4
https://izzi.com#organization
part of brand:
https://izzi.com#person/izzi
founded by:

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Rich Results and Entity Features also greatly assist with
Google’s Search Experience and thus their market dominance
>

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Structured Data, is breathtaking.

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Is it a “ranking factor” then?

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Google: Structured Data isn’t a
ranking factor
SEOs:

@izzionﬁre #SMX
However, maybe this would assist with getting the darn thing implemented!

@izzionﬁre #SMX
How to best implement useful
Structured Data

@izzionﬁre #SMX
The basic formula towards Structuring Data for Search Engines
Your
Data
Semantic
Vocabulary
Data Interchange
Format

@izzionﬁre #SMX
(Of course with correct nesting in place)
https://schema.org/Recipe
https://schema.org/Organization
https://schema.org/VideoObject
https://schema.org/Review
https://schema.org/Person

@izzionﬁre #SMX
👩‍💻
But there is a strong difference between writing up
fancy JSON-LD blobs and actually getting them
validated and live

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Getting it applied site-wide depends on many factors!

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Plugins help automate Schema generation in popular CMS’

@izzionﬁre #SMX
JS / Google Tag Manager can be a good workaround,
although not the ideal solution
https://developers.google.com/search/docs/guides/
generate-structured-data-with-javascript

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Manually - creating scripts yourself and directly pushing to pages

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Manually - creating scripts yourself and directly pushing to pages
Can be time
consuming
and messy

@izzionﬁre #SMX
👩‍💻
The most efﬁcient and reliable way usually requires
assistance from our beloved developers!

@izzionﬁre #SMX
It depends (sorry) on many factors!

@izzionﬁre #SMX
To get the buy-in,
we need justiﬁcation and results!

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Understand the
Problem

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Understand the
Problem
Can Structured
Data resolve
this?

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Understand the
Problem
Can Structured
Data resolve
this?
Don’t bother
no

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Understand the
Problem
Can Structured
Data resolve
this?
Don’t bother
Deﬁne the
primary goal to
achieve
no
yes

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Understand the
Problem
Can Structured
Data resolve
this?
Don’t bother
Deﬁne the
primary goal to
achieve
Implement
Minimum
Viable Markup
no
yes

@izzionfire #SMX
Understand the
Problem
Can Structured
Data resolve
this?
Don’t bother
Define the
primary goal to
achieve
Implement
Minimum
Viable Markup
Were the
results at all
beneficial?
no
yes

@izzionfire #SMX
Understand the
Problem
Can Structured
Data resolve
this?
Don’t bother
Define the
primary goal to
achieve
Implement
Minimum
Viable Markup
Were the
results at all
beneficial?
Roll-out
no
yes
yes
no

@izzionﬁre #SMX
1. Identify if Structured Data is the
solution to your issues

@izzionﬁre #SMX
@JohnMu says it best!
(And this is something we need to properly consider more)

@izzionﬁre #SMX
💡 Remember: 💡
Delightful Structured Data is not always a priority for many websites

@izzionﬁre #SMX
What can Structured Data assist with
Irrelevant trafﬁc🤔
● Provide details of the page’s attributes in
Rich Results
● Give meaning to ambiguous content
Navigational results🧭
● Enrich Knowledge Graphs
● Factually accurate Entity Results
Subpar CTR👆
● Improve click-through-rate with Richer
Results
Lack of clarity🔮
● Attempt to make connections become
clearer, e.g. to prove E-A-T signals

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Today’s focus:
Irrelevant trafﬁc🤔
● Provide details of the page’s attributes in
Rich Results
● Give meaning to ambiguous content
Navigational results🧭
● Enrich Knowledge Graphs
● Factually accurate Entity Results
Subpar CTR👆
● Improve click-through-rate with Richer
Results
Lack of clarity🔮
● Attempt to make connections become
clearer, e.g. to prove E-A-T signals

@izzionﬁre #SMX
👆 Subpar CTR 👆

@izzionﬁre #SMX
That’s just sooo
2015

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Google
Searchers

@izzionﬁre #SMX
We need to stand out as best as we can to drive more clicks

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Not only just from paid results!

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Article Recipe FAQs

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Breadcrumb Carousel CourseArticle Book
Dataset
Employer
Aggregate Rating
Estimated Salary
COVID-19
Announcements
🧪
Critic Review
FAQ How-to Image License 🧪Event Fact Check
Local Business Logo MovieJob Posting Job Training 🧪
Recipe Review
Sitelinks Search
Box
Product Q&A
Subscription &
Paywalled content
VideoSoftware App Speakable 🧪

@izzionﬁre #SMX
COVID-19 Announcements
(April 2020)
Image Licensing
(July 2020)

@izzionﬁre #SMX
https://developers.google.com/search/reference/overview

@izzionﬁre #SMX
How to start with improving
👆 Subpar CTR 👆

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Find examples to test on, e.g. with high positions yet low CTR
(only if click intent is there)

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Locate your CTR Underperformers, and roll out necessary actions

@izzionﬁre #SMX
💡 Remember: 💡
You don’t always need Rich Result powering Schema
markup to enrich your snippets!

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Clear menus and navigation can assist with one-line sitelinks

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Plain HTML tables or <div> containers can be taken
to bulk out SERP Snippets

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Don’t forget Featured Snippets! Which are the outcome of high quality
resources with relevant structure

@izzionﬁre #SMX
🧭 Navigational Results 🧭

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Self-Owned
● Your domain’s own Featured Snippets that you can amend if needs be
Google-Owned
● Knowledge Graph results & Entity Features that may require some pushes
SERP Competitor Owned
● Reach out to them to update the incorrect information in a Featured Snippet
● Attempt to overtake the Featured Snippet location
Categories of your Branded / Navigational Results Ownership

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Categories of your Branded / Navigational Results Ownership
Self-Owned
● Your domain’s own Featured Snippets that you can amend if needs be
Google-Owned
● Knowledge Graph results & Entity Features that may require some pushes
SERP Competitor Owned
● Reach out to them to update the incorrect information in a Featured Snippet
● Attempt to overtake the Featured Snippet location

@izzionﬁre #SMX
displayed for key
brand searches
1. Brand
Knowledge
Panels

@izzionﬁre #SMX
displayed for navigational and
informational branded searches
2. Branded
Knowledge
Cards

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Structured Data provides us with ways of creating /
taking control over these types of results.

@izzionﬁre #SMX
I know what you’re thinking!
Why give Google all the answers?

@izzionﬁre #SMX
These can be some worthwhile advantages:
Representation > Exclusion
Be in control of facts > Misinformation
On-SERP Satisfaction > Quick website visits
Quicker Conversions via Google Integrations

@izzionﬁre #SMX
No in-person attendance
Incorrect date

@izzionﬁre #SMX
1
2
Das Problem:

@izzionﬁre #SMX
How to start with improving
🧭 Navigational Results 🧭

@izzionﬁre #SMX
First of all, ﬁnd your important branded queries
with aliases & misspellings

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Tip: locate important comparison / navigation terms as these can
sometimes trigger an Entity Carousel

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Check Knowledge Graph Entities Search API tester
https://developers.google.com/knowledge-graph

@izzionﬁre #SMX
More User Friendly: Knowledge Graph Search by Carl Hendy
https://carlhendy.com/knowledge-graph-search/

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Find your Entity Types and discover data conﬂicts

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Aim to take control by claiming your Knowledge Panels
with the required criteria

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Improve your Entity results with Organization* Structured Data

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Improve your Entity results with Organization* Structured Data
*Or the most speciﬁcType

@izzionﬁre #SMX
https://izzi.com/tshirt#product
https://izzi.com#organization
part of brand:

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Aim to create clear graphs that provide intrinsic connections
Product
Created /
manufactured by:
Reviewed by: Is Consumable for:
Organization Person Product

@izzionﬁre #SMX
🤔 Irrelevant Trafﬁc 🤔

@izzionfire #SMX
Utilize properties that bring you qualified and retainable traffic
This looks naughty 😏
But I’m on a diet! 😢

@izzionﬁre #SMX
E.g. Item Availability for out-of-stock products

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Rather than trying to “hide” your seasonal products 😉

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Understand if there are high bounces caused by irrelevance

@izzionﬁre #SMX
🔮 Lack of clarity 🔮

@izzionfire #SMX
Remember: Structured Data not only helps define meaning, but can
solidify connections across topics and entities
alumniOf
award
jobTitle
honorificPrefix
hasCredential
sameAs
Dr. Izzi MD

@izzionﬁre #SMX
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/how-to-
use-structured-data-to-support-e-a-t/362946/
Thanks
@lilyraynyc!

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Why should Google (& why should I!?) trust this Python course?

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Check in Google’s Cloud Natural Language API tester if
important entities are recognizable

@izzionﬁre #SMX
2. Lay out some clear, quantiﬁable goals
you aim to achieve

@izzionﬁre #SMX
What is your objective and which Structured Data types
will help you reach that goal?
Increased nB Clicks
Increase branded query CTR
Reduce bounce rate
Increase conversions

@izzionﬁre #SMX
“As a potential customer, I need to be able to trust the website before I
click on their result and visit their page. Therefore, I want to see
Product Rich Results that are generated by Schema markup.”
Prepare requests as User Stories to aid with
ticket planning & prioritization

@izzionﬁre #SMX
3. Roll out Minimal Viable Markup

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Check the Google documentations for guidelines

@izzionﬁre #SMX
And the required markup to generate a Rich Result!
These are
must-haves
to win a Rich
Result

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Manually create test scripts and insert with a quick workaround

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Using a crawler you can extract the required data with custom settings
Ryte - Website Success

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Export the data to Excel / Google Sheets and clean it up

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Create and validate your script template
https://search.google.com/test/rich-results

@izzionﬁre #SMX
In a seperate tab, build concatenates to combine the
template with the extracted data!
<30 minutes of
work!

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Ideally: control the test by applying to 50% of a similar set of pages
Control GroupTest Group
www.izzi.com/product/1/

@izzionﬁre #SMX
4. Tracking beneﬁts and changes

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Create Page Segments to properly track changes over time

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Then you can compare your real GSC Search Performance
Schema No Schema pages
Schema
No Schema pages

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Not seeing any Rich Results? There might be a reason for that:
1. You might have a Manual Rich Results Penalty for SD manipulation
● This means your website can’t display any SERP features. Fix the offending issue and submit via GSC.
2. A Rich Result simply isn’t relevant for this query
● Google will not display a Rich Result if they don’t see it as providing any general value to a searcher’s interaction
3. There are syntax errors or parsing problems
● Validate with the Rich Results Testing Tool to troubleshoot any bugs that need to be ﬁxed
4. The site has been perceived as being low quality
● Google’s algorithms may have evaluated your domain as too low-quality. Perform a site: search to check.
5. Google has updated their requirements for the Rich Result to be displayed
● Occasionally Google will add new requirements for Rich Results. Check the documentation.

@izzionﬁre #SMX
🎉 Success? 🎉
Roll that bad boy out!

@izzionﬁre #SMX
You will now have justiﬁcation, and results to present!
We need proper
Structured Data on our
pages and here’s why:

@izzionfire #SMX
It may take time but now you have the results & justification
Your proposed
solution to a
problem
Setting
quantifiable
measurements
First proof of
concept
Proving results
to decision
makers
Roll-out planning

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Once you have a working process in place, you can then start to test
even more Structured Data awesomeness:
● Additional properties that keep uplifting clicks / user engagement
● Product conversions via Surfaces on Google features
● Google Actions that further enrich your services
● Building wonderful, connected Knowledge Graphs
● Using Structured Data types for Analytics
● Even more things I forgot to mention!

@izzionﬁre #SMX
🔥 Happy Structuring 🔥

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Don’t forget to install the Ryte Structured Data Helper Plugin!

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Don’t forget to install the Ryte Structured Data Helper Plugin!
bit.ly/ryte-helper

@izzionﬁre #SMX
❤ Thanks for listening ❤

@izzionﬁre #SMX
Stay in touch!
Izzi Smith
Technical SEO Analyst,
Ryte
@izzionﬁre
izzi@ryte.com

Leveraging the powers of Structured Data ✨

More Related Content

What's hot (20)

Similar to Leveraging the powers of Structured Data ✨ (20)

Recently uploaded (20)

Leveraging the powers of Structured Data ✨