Why Google’s Structured Data Validator Shows Errors While Official Schema Version Doesn’t

In a Google search engine optimization Workplace Hours, Google’s Martin Splitt answered a query about structured information validation and the way Google’s validator can present totally different outcomes than the Schema.org validator.

Structured Data Validation

Each Google and Schema.org provide instruments for validating if structured information is appropriate.

Google’s instrument is named the Rich Results Test.

Schema.org’s instrument is named the Schema Markup Validator.

Google’s instrument validates structured information and it additionally provides 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 in response to 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 a superb query as to why each validators might present totally different outcomes.

The individual 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 area ‘returnFees‘ however our schema.org take a look at says no error.

Please advise.”

Google’s Martin Splitt answered:

“Schema.org is an open and vendor-independent entity that defines the info sorts and attributes for structured information.

Google, as a vendor nevertheless, may need particular necessities for some attributes and kinds in an effort to use the structured information in product options, comparable to our wealthy leads to Google Search.

So whereas simply leaving out some attributes or utilizing some kind of values for an attribute is ok with Schema.org, distributors comparable to Google and others may need extra particular necessities in an effort to use the structured information you present to truly improve options and merchandise.”

Goal of Google’s Validator

Google’s validator has a function that’s totally different from simply checking if the structured information is legitimate.

It’s checking to see if the structured information that Google requires (for doubtlessly 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 could actually typically falsely report that legitimate code is invalid.

I just lately encountered this the place I took a JSON-LD structured information instance of appropriate code from Schema.org and examined it in each validators.

The Schema.org validator confirmed a false error whereas Google’s validator appropriately validated it.

So a minimum of on this case, Google’s validator was extra correct.

It’s all the time a superb follow to examine Google’s structured information information to be sure you’re web site is coding for Google as a result of the overall use of structured information is for enhanced listings.

Take heed to the search engine optimization Workplace Hours on the 4 minute mark:

Featured picture by Shutterstock/ViDI Studio