In the ever-evolving landscape of search engine optimization (SEO), structured data has become a critical component in enhancing website visibility and improving user experience. By adding structured data to your website, you can help search engines better understand the content on your pages, leading to enhanced search results, rich snippets, and improved rankings.
However, before you can fully leverage structured data for SEO, you must first ensure that your markup is correct and error-free. This is where structured data testing tools come into play. These tools allow you to test, validate, and debug your schema markup to ensure that search engines can properly read and interpret your data.
At 1702 Digital, we specialize in web development services, including integrating structured data for better SEO performance. In this blog post, we’ll discuss 15 powerful structured data testing tools that can help improve your website’s visibility. Additionally, we will guide you through how to fix any errors that might arise during the testing process.
15 Structured Data Testing Tools to Improve Website Visibility
1. Google Rich Results Test
Google’s Rich Results Test is one of the most widely used schema markup tools for testing structured data. It allows you to check whether your structured data is eligible to show rich results in Google’s search results, such as product information, reviews, or event details.
Key Features:
- Tests for eligibility for rich results.
- Supports various schema types like recipes, articles, products, and reviews.
- Provides clear, detailed error messages and suggestions for improvements.
If you are aiming to enhance your search result visibility with rich snippets, this is one of the first tools you should use.
2. Schema Markup Validator
The Schema Markup Validator is a free tool provided by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It checks whether your page contains valid structured data according to the schema.org standard.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive error reports.
- Supports a wide variety of schema types.
- Provides syntax and validation issues in structured data.
This tool is especially valuable for web developers or SEO professionals looking for precise validation of schema markup.
3. Bing Markup Validator
While Google often gets the most attention in SEO circles, Bing also requires properly implemented structured data for better visibility in its search results. The Bing Markup Validator lets you test your structured data for Bing’s rich snippets and other enhanced search results.
Key Features:
- Tests for Bing’s rich snippet eligibility.
- Provides error and warning messages for better debugging.
- Directly links to Bing’s official guidelines on structured data.
If you are targeting multiple search engines, this tool is a must-have in your testing arsenal.
4. Yandex Structured Data Validator
Yandex, the dominant search engine in Russia, also supports rich snippets through structured data. The Yandex Structured Data Validator helps ensure your schema markup is recognized by Yandex’s search engine.
Key Features:
- Tests structured data for Yandex.
- Detects and highlights issues in schema markup.
- Free to use for everyone.
Although Yandex might not be as widely used globally, it’s crucial for websites targeting Russian or Eastern European audiences.
5. Merkle Schema Markup Testing Tool
Merkle’s tool is a simple and user-friendly schema markup testing tool that allows you to validate your structured data. This tool is particularly useful for checking how well your schema markup is structured and whether it’s displaying the correct information for rich snippets.
Key Features:
- Tests structured data for errors.
- Offers JSON-LD and microdata support.
- Simple, no-frills interface.
Merkle’s tool is ideal for SEO specialists and web developers who need a straightforward solution.
6. Structured Data Linter
Structured Data Linter is an online tool that checks your schema markup for errors and validates your structured data against schema.org standards. It also provides detailed information about the type of errors detected.
Key Features:
- Tests JSON-LD, microdata, and RDFa formats.
- Offers real-time feedback on syntax and structure.
- Provides comprehensive suggestions for improvement.
It’s a great tool for developers and content teams looking to ensure their structured data is error-free before going live.
7. SEO SiteCheckup Schema Markup Validator
SEO SiteCheckup offers a schema markup validator that scans your website’s structured data and provides a report of any issues found. The tool is simple to use and offers additional SEO recommendations.
Key Features:
- Checks for common schema markup errors.
- Gives SEO suggestions beyond just structured data.
- Provides easy-to-understand reports.
If you’re looking for a tool that covers more than just schema validation, this is a solid choice.
8. Structured Data Testing Tool by Google (Deprecated)
Google’s original Structured Data Testing Tool was deprecated in 2020 in favor of the Rich Results Test. While it is no longer updated, some users still find this legacy tool useful for testing simple markup.
Key Features:
- Older, but still useful for testing simple markup.
- Offers insights into structured data implementation issues.
For those working with older sites or legacy content, this tool can still provide some valuable insights.
9. JetOctopus Structured Data Tester
JetOctopus is a powerful website crawler tool with an integrated structured data tester. It scans your website to identify structured data markup issues and provides solutions to fix them.
Key Features:
- Scans entire websites for schema markup errors.
- Provides in-depth reports and visual insights.
- Supports multiple structured data types and formats.
JetOctopus is an excellent tool for larger websites that need to ensure their structured data is implemented correctly across many pages.
10. ScrapingBee Schema Markup Validator
ScrapingBee provides an online tool to test schema markup and check if it’s working as intended for rich results. It can detect issues with JSON-LD, Microdata, and RDFa formats.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-use and simple interface.
- Supports a variety of structured data formats.
- Reports errors and validation issues clearly.
Ideal for businesses looking for a lightweight and easy-to-implement testing solution.
11. SEO Review Tools – Structured Data Testing
SEO Review Tools offers a structured data testing tool that allows you to check your markup for syntax errors and validate whether the schema is functioning as expected.
Key Features:
- JSON-LD, Microdata, and RDFa support.
- Detailed error messages and helpful tips.
- Free and easy to use.
This tool is great for anyone looking for a quick, efficient way to validate structured data.
12. Glynn’s Structured Data Tool
Glynn’s tool is a free online schema markup testing tool that focuses on validating structured data for search engines. It supports JSON-LD and other popular formats, offering a detailed report with links to helpful resources.
Key Features:
- Validates multiple structured data formats.
- Provides clear and concise error reports.
- Free and easy to use.
For smaller businesses and freelancers, Glynn’s tool offers a straightforward and no-cost solution.
13. Google Search Console
While Google Search Console is primarily used for monitoring and maintaining your website’s presence in Google search, it also offers a structured data testing tool that identifies schema errors across your site.
Key Features:
- Detects structured data errors in your site’s pages.
- Provides insights into how Google interprets your schema markup.
- Free to use with a Google Search Console account.
Google Search Console is an essential tool for anyone serious about SEO and structured data.
14. Raven Tools Schema Markup Checker
Raven Tools provides a schema markup checker that lets you test your structured data for errors. The tool gives suggestions on how to improve your markup, making it easier for you to align your structured data with SEO best practices.
Key Features:
- Tests structured data for errors.
- Integrates with other SEO auditing tools.
- Offers tips for improving markup.
Raven Tools is perfect for SEO agencies or web developers looking to manage multiple client websites.
15. Web Developer Tools (Browser Extensions)
For quick on-the-fly testing, browser extensions like Web Developer Tools or JSON Viewer can help identify issues with schema markup directly in the browser.
Key Features:
- Quickly identifies schema errors within your website.
- Supports on-page schema analysis.
- Free and easy to use.
These extensions are handy for developers who want a simple, no-hassle way to check schema markup in real-time.
Also Read: 10 Tips to Make a Website Mobile Friendly for SEO
How to Fix Errors Found with a Testing Tool?
Once you’ve identified errors using schema markup testing tools, the next step is to fix them. Here’s how to address common errors:
1. Check for Syntax Issues
Syntax errors are the most common issues when dealing with structured data. Make sure that your JSON-LD, microdata, or RDFa syntax is properly formatted. You can use online resources like the schema.org documentation to verify your syntax.
2. Ensure Proper Schema Types
Make sure that you are using the correct schema types for the content you are marking up. For instance, a recipe page should use the Recipe schema, while a product page should use the Product schema. Using the wrong type can cause errors or incorrect rich results.
3. Address Missing Required Properties
Some schema types require specific properties to be included. For example, the Article schema requires an author and a datePublished field. Make sure all required fields are present in your markup.
4. Validate Across Multiple Tools
Different tools may catch different errors, so it’s a good idea to validate your structured data across multiple schema markup tools to ensure your markup is error-free.
Conclusion
Structured data plays a crucial role in enhancing your website’s visibility in search results. By using the right structured data testing tools, you can ensure that your markup is error-free and properly implemented, which can lead to better search rankings, richer search results, and improved user experience. At 1702 Digital, we offer expert web development services and SEO solutions, including the implementation and optimization of structured data. Whether you’re looking for website development services in Mumbai or a comprehensive SEO strategy, we have the expertise to help you achieve your digital marketing goals.