Microdata

What is Microdata?

Microdata is a specification to annotate content with specific vocabulary in HTML documents. It embeds metadata within existing content on web pages to define and explain the data that search engines encounter. This type of semantic markup provides context to the information on a page, allowing search engines to understand and classify the content more effectively.

Often used in conjunction with Schema.org vocabularies, microdata allows webmasters to create a structured data markup scheme that is universally understood by search engines. This standardization helps search engines display and utilize information about page content, such as product names, prices, descriptions, ratings, and images.

In the HTML code of a page, microdata is typically used in the form of small snippets that wrap around content elements, providing search engines with readable data. This data can enrich search results with detailed information, leading to a richer user experience and potentially increased web traffic.

Incorporating microdata into a webpage can also enhance visibility in search results. For instance, microdata used on a product page can enable Google to display the page with rich snippets in search results, offering users more immediate information about the product, such as its price and reviews.

Adding microdata is a technical task that requires correct annotation and validation. Various tools, like Google's Structured Data Testing Tool, are available to assist webmasters in validating their microdata implementation.

Does Google use microdata?

Yes, Google uses microdata to parse structured data from web pages. This helps Google's search algorithms understand the content and context of pages, which can influence the display of search results. Rich snippets and enhanced presentations in search results are often the result of Google successfully interpreting microdata on a page.

Is microdata still relevant?

Microdata remains relevant as one of several markup formats that webmasters can use to annotate HTML content with structured data. While JSON-LD has become the recommended format by Google due to its ease of implementation, microdata is still supported and can be used effectively to communicate page content to search engines. It is particularly useful for defining content directly within the HTML where the data resides.