Microdata
Definition
Microdata is a way to annotate HTML content with additional tags that provide information about the content on the page[1]. Search engines can use this information to better understand the content of the page and provide more accurate search results.
How microdata works
Microdata uses a standardized set of tags called schema to provide information about the content. There are many different schemas available, each designed to provide information about a specific type of content, such as products, events, or people.
Microdata implementation
To use microdata, you will need to add additional tags to your HTML code. These tags follow a specific syntax and must be used in a specific way in order to be understood by search engines. Here is an example of how microdata might be used to provide information about a product:
<div itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Product">
<h1 itemprop="name">Shiny Red Bike</h1>
<img src="red-bike.jpg" alt="Shiny Red Bike" itemprop="image" />
<p itemprop="description">This bike is perfect for cruising around town. It's got a smooth ride and a shiny red finish that is sure to turn heads.</p>
<div itemprop="offers" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Offer">
<p>Price: $<span itemprop="price">250</span></p>
<p>Availability: <span itemprop="availability">In stock</span></p>
</div>
</div>
In this example, the itemscope and itemtype attributes are used to specify that the content within the div element is a product. The itemprop attribute is then used to provide additional information about the product, such as its name, image, description, and price.
Microdata and SEO
Microdata can be useful for SEO because it helps search engines better understand the content of your website. By providing additional information about the content on your pages, you can make it easier for search engines to accurately index and understand your site, which can improve your search rankings.
Here are a few ways that microdata can help with SEO:
- Improved search results: By providing detailed information about your content, you can help search engines display more accurate and relevant search results.
- Enhanced search features: Some search engines use microdata to enable special search features, such as rich snippets or answer boxes.
- Increased visibility: Using microdata can help your content appear in more places on the search engine results page, such as the knowledge panel or local pack.
It's important to note that while microdata can be helpful for SEO, it is just one factor among many that can affect your search rankings. To improve your SEO, you should also focus on other aspects of your website, such as providing high-quality content, building high-quality backlinks, and having a mobile-friendly design.