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Technical SEO

Schema Types

Definition

Different categories of structured data markup from Schema.org vocabulary including Article, Product, Organization, LocalBusiness, Recipe, FAQ, HowTo, Event, and 800+ other types. Each type has specific properties for describing different content.

Why It Matters

Using the correct schema type enables rich results, knowledge panels, and better search understanding. Wrong schema type means missed rich result opportunities and potential penalties. Proper implementation can increase CTR by 20-30% through enhanced search appearances.

How It Works

Schema.org defines standard types and properties for marking up content. Choose the most specific type that matches your content (use Recipe not just Article for recipes), then include required and recommended properties. Multiple schema types can be combined on one page.

Use Cases

  • An e-commerce site implements Product schema on 10,000 products, rich results show stars and prices in search, CTR increases 28%
  • A local restaurant uses LocalBusiness schema, appears in rich results with hours, menu, and reviews
  • A blog implements Article schema with author and organization, content appears in Google Discover and Top Stories

Best Practices

  • Use the most specific schema type available (Recipe not Article for recipes, SoftwareApplication not Product for apps)
  • Include all required properties and as many recommended properties as possible
  • Combine multiple schema types when appropriate (Article + Organization + Person for authored content)
  • Validate schema implementation with Google's Rich Results Test tool
  • Keep schema updated when content changes to maintain accuracy
  • Review Schema.org documentation for your content type to understand all available properties

Frequently Asked Questions

What are schema types? +
Schema types are different categories of structured data from Schema.org including Article, Product, Organization, LocalBusiness, Recipe, FAQ, HowTo, Event, and 800+ others. Each type has specific properties for describing different content types.
How do I choose the right schema type? +
Use the most specific type that matches your content. For recipes use Recipe not Article, for apps use SoftwareApplication not Product. Check Schema.org documentation for your content category and choose the most specific type available.
Can I use multiple schema types on one page? +
Yes, combine multiple types when appropriate. For example, use Article + Organization + Person for authored blog posts, or Product + AggregateRating + Offer for e-commerce products. Ensure each type is properly nested and validated.

Related Terms

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