While a rich result validation error will prevent your page from being eligible for rich results, a rich result validation warning is a bit more nuanced. It’s a message from search engines that your structured data is valid, but it’s missing some recommended properties. While your page may still be eligible for rich results, these warnings are a sign that you could be doing more to enhance your appearance in the search results. This guide will explain why these warnings are important and how to fix them.
Think of your structured data as a job application. An error is like forgetting to sign the application—it’s immediately invalid. A warning is like forgetting to include your references—your application is still valid, but it’s not as strong as it could be. For a broader look at structured data, see our guide on the structured data category.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Validation Warnings
As explained in Google’s own guide to structured data, providing more complete information can improve your rich results.
- Richer Snippets: Recommended properties often provide the data for additional features in your rich results, such as ratings, reviews, and prices.
- Future-Proofing: A recommended property today could become a required property tomorrow. By being proactive, you can ensure that your rich results will continue to be valid in the future.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Validation Warnings
The goal is to provide as much high-quality, relevant information as possible in your structured data. For more on this, check out this guide to Google’s Rich Results Test.
Code Example: The Fix
<!-- Before: Missing recommended property 'aggregateRating' --> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Recipe", "name": "Grandma's Famous Apple Pie", "author": "John Smith" } </script> <!-- After: All recommended properties are present --> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Recipe", "name": "Grandma's Famous Apple Pie", "author": "John Smith", "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "4.8", "reviewCount": "25" } } </script> - Test Your Pages: Use Google’s Rich Results Test to identify any pages with structured data warnings.
- Identify the Missing Properties: The tool will tell you which recommended properties are missing from your structured data.
- Add the Missing Properties: Work with your developer to add the missing properties to your structured data.
- Validate the Fix: Use the Rich Results Test to confirm that the warnings have been resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a rich result error and a warning?
An error in your structured data will make your page ineligible for rich results. A warning, on the other hand, indicates that you are missing recommended but not required properties. Your page may still be eligible for rich results, but they may not be as enhanced as they could be.
Should I fix rich result warnings?
Yes, it is a best practice to fix rich result warnings. While they won’t make your page ineligible for rich results, they can prevent your rich results from being as effective as they could be. Adding recommended properties can provide a better user experience and may help your rich results to stand out more in the search results.
How can I find and fix rich result warnings?
The best way to find and fix rich result warnings is to use Google’s Rich Results Test. This tool will analyze your page and tell you if it has any warnings, and if so, what they are. You can then work with your developer to add the missing recommended properties to your structured data.
Ready to fix your broken promises? Start your Creeper audit today and see how you can improve your website’s structured data.