Structured data
Structured data is a standardized format for providing information about a webpage to search engines. It helps search engines understand the content and context of your site better, enabling enhanced search results like rich snippets, featured snippets, or knowledge panels.
Structured data uses schema markup, typically written in JSON-LD, Microdata, or RDFa formats, to label and organize content. For example, for a recipe, structured data might include ingredients, cooking time, and ratings, making it easier for search engines to display that information directly on the SERP.
Implementing structured data improves visibility in zero-click searches, where users get quick answers without clicking through to a website. For example, adding structured data to FAQs can help them appear as expandable questions directly in search results.
Structured data also enhances CTR by making your search results stand out with extra information, such as product prices, star ratings, or event dates. It supports efficient crawling and indexing by web crawlers, as it clearly communicates the page's purpose.
Structured data complements a strong website architecture by ensuring key content is easily accessible and understandable to search engines. It also works well with an optimized URL structure to deliver better search performance.