By Shad Super in Questions —

What Types of Rich Results Can the Tool Test, and How Does It Report on Their Eligibility?

Summary

The Rich Results Test tool allows webmasters to check if their web pages can generate rich results on search engine results pages (SERPs). This includes testing for various rich result types such as articles, breadcrumbs, events, job postings, products, and more. The tool also provides detailed eligibility reports highlighting which elements are valid, which need improvement, and which have errors.

Types of Rich Results the Tool Can Test

Articles

The tool can check if an article is eligible to appear with rich result features. This can include headline, images, date, and other metadata intended to increase visibility on SERPs. A core guide to implementing and testing article structured data can be found on Google Developers [Article, 2023].

Breadcrumb trails on a webpage enhance the navigational experience by providing links back to previous parts of the page or site hierarchy. The Rich Results Test evaluates the structured data to verify if breadcrumbs are implemented correctly, enhancing the site’s appearance on SERPs. Learn more at Google Developers [Breadcrumb, 2023].

Events

Event structured data helps make events more discoverable in search results. The tool checks for event details like event names, locations, and times to ensure rich result eligibility. Detailed guidelines are available at Google Developers [Event, 2023].

Job Postings

Job postings can benefit from rich results by achieving higher visibility for job seekers on search engines. The tool assesses if job postings are using correct structured data to show job titles, descriptions, qualifications, etc. Comprehensive instructions can be found at Google Developers [Job Posting, 2023].

Products

The Product structured data allows product listings to appear with rich results on Google, showcasing prices, availability, and reviews. The tool tests if product information is marked up correctly to qualify for these enhanced search listings. More details are available at Google Developers [Product, 2023].

Videos

Adding structured data to videos can make them more discoverable and enhance their appearance in Google Search results. The tool checks video elements such as duration, upload date, and description for eligibility. Learn more at Google Developers [Video, 2023].

FAQ

FAQ structured data allows a list of questions and answers on your site to be eligible for an enhanced display in search results. The tool checks if FAQ pages are properly marked up to meet Google's requirements. Details on implementation can be found at Google Developers [FAQ, 2023].

How-To

How-To pages can appear in search results with step-by-step instructions. The tool validates the presence of necessary elements like steps, materials, and tools to ensure they qualify for rich results. For implementation help, check Google Developers [How-To, 2023].

Eligibility Reporting by the Rich Results Test

Valid Elements

The tool highlights elements of the structured data that are properly implemented and eligible for rich results. These elements need no further action.

Elements Needing Improvement

The tool flags elements that are on the verge of qualifying but have minor issues that should be addressed. This includes missing optional properties that could enhance the result further. For more insight, visit Google Developers [Structured Data Status Report, 2023].

Errors

The tool provides detailed reports on elements that have errors preventing them from generating rich results. By clicking on each error, users receive specific guidance on what needs to be fixed or added. See more at Google Developers [Structured Data Errors, 2023].

Conclusion

The Rich Results Test tool offers a comprehensive way to ensure your web pages are optimized for rich results on Google. By validating various types of structured data and providing detailed eligibility reports, the tool helps enhance your site’s visibility and user engagement on SERPs.

References