A structured data testing tool is a tool you can use to check whether the structured data on your website is embedded correctly and understood by search engines. It shows you whether the markup is free of errors and can be used for rich results.
Structured data helps search engines interpret content better. You know this from reviews, FAQs or product information shown directly in the search results. For that to work, the code has to be implemented cleanly on a technical level, and this is exactly where the test comes in.
With tools such as Google’s test for structured data you can analyse a URL or a code snippet. You get an overview of the elements that were recognised, possible errors and room for improvement.
What is checked?
- correct implementation of schema markup
- recognisability by search engines
- errors or warnings in the code
- potential for rich snippets
Why is this important for SEO?
Structured data can noticeably improve the way you appear in the search results. It increases visibility and can raise the click-through rate.
A clean test makes sure your content is interpreted correctly. Faulty data, by contrast, means that important features are not displayed at all. You should therefore check and optimise your structured data regularly.