While not as critical as a validation error, a validation warning in your structured data is a sign that your schema markup is not as effective as it could be. These warnings are suggestions for improvement that can help you to unlock the full potential of your structured data and to improve your chances of earning rich results. This guide will explore the common causes of validation warnings and how to fix them.

Think of a validation warning as a friendly suggestion from a librarian. They’re not going to kick you out of the library, but they might have some advice on how to make your book more appealing to readers. For a broader look at structured data, see our guide on the structured data category.

An illustration of a broken promise, symbolizing the importance of fixing validation warnings in structured data.

Common Validation Warnings in Structured Data

As explained in Google’s own guide to structured data, there are several common causes of validation warnings.

  • Missing Recommended Properties: Some structured data types, such as `Recipe` or `Product`, have recommended properties that can enhance your rich results.
  • Invalid Values for Recommended Properties: Some properties have specific value requirements, such as a date in ISO 8601 format or a price in a specific currency.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Valid Structured Data

The goal is to have structured data that is free of errors and warnings. For more on this, check out this guide to the Schema Markup Validator.

Example: The Fix

Imagine you have a `Product` schema, but you’ve forgotten to include the `aggregateRating` property. This is a recommended property, so it will cause a validation warning. The fix is to add the `aggregateRating` property to your schema.

  1. Use the Rich Results Test: This is the first and most important step. It will tell you if your page is eligible for rich results and will identify any errors or warnings in your structured data.
  2. Fix the Warnings: Based on the information from the Rich Results Test, you can take the necessary steps to fix the warnings.
  3. Validate the Fix: Once you’ve fixed the warnings, you can use the Rich Results Test to validate the fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a validation warning in structured data?

A validation warning is a message from a testing tool like the Rich Results Test that indicates a non-critical issue with your structured data. It’s a suggestion for improvement that will not prevent your structured data from being valid, but may limit its effectiveness.

What is the difference between a validation error and a warning?

A validation error is a critical issue that must be fixed for your structured data to be valid. A warning is a suggestion for improvement that will not prevent your structured data from being valid, but may limit its effectiveness.

How can I find and fix validation warnings?

The best way to find and fix validation warnings is to use Google’s Rich Results Test. It will scan your page and identify any errors or warnings in your structured data, and it will provide guidance on how to fix them.

Ready to fix your broken promises? Start your Creeper audit today and see how you can improve your website’s structured data.