Structured Data & Rich Results
Structured data is extra labels you add to a page so Google can show star ratings, prices and more.
What you will learn
- Explain what structured data (schema) is
- Name common rich results
- Understand the benefit of richer listings
What is structured data?
Structured data (often called schema) is hidden code you add to a page that labels its content for Google. Instead of guessing, Google can clearly read this is a recipe, this is the rating, this is the price.
Think of it as putting neat labels on boxes. Without labels, Google still sees the boxes but has to guess what is inside. With labels, it knows for sure — and can show that information directly in search.
Rich results
When Google understands your structured data, it can show a rich result — a listing with extra detail that stands out and earns more clicks.
| Schema type | What it can show in Google | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Review / Rating | Gold star rating | Products, businesses |
| Product | Price and stock | Online shops |
| Recipe | Cook time, photo, calories | Food blogs |
| FAQ | Expandable questions | Help and info pages |
| Event | Date and location | Workshops, shows |
A small worked example
Here is a tiny piece of review schema (simplified) for a bakery page. It tells Google the average rating is 4.8 out of 5.
Type: Bakery
Name: Sweet Crumbs
Rating: 4.8 out of 5
Review count: 320Note: These labels let Google show gold stars and the rating next to your listing. A result with 4.8 stars stands out and gets clicked more than a plain blue link, even at the same position.
Tip: You do not have to hand-write schema. Many website plugins add it for you, and you can check your page with Google’s free Rich Results Test to see if it qualifies.
Watch out: Only mark up content that is really on the page. Adding fake ratings or showing schema for things a visitor cannot see breaks Google’s rules and can get rich results removed.
Q. What is the main benefit of adding structured data to a page?
✍️ Practice
- Search Google for a recipe and note which rich result details appear (photo, time, rating).
- List 2 schema types that would suit a local gym’s website.
🏠 Homework
- Find 3 search results that show rich features (stars, prices, FAQs) and note the schema type behind each.