The SEO Cheat Code: 7 Types of Structured Data

Last Updated on March 10, 2025 by Becky Halls

Structured data is one of the most powerful tools for improving search engine visibility, click-through rates, and user experience. By providing search engines with clear, organized information, structured data helps websites stand out in search results—think rich snippets, featured snippets, and knowledge panels.

But what are the different types of structured data? And how can you use them to boost your website’s SEO? In this guide, we’ll explore the various types of structured data, their practical applications, and how they can enhance both search visibility and user engagement.

What is Structured Data?

Structured data is a standardized format (typically using Schema.org markup) that helps search engines better understand the content on a webpage. It’s the backstage pass that tells Google exactly what your page is about—whether it’s an article, product, event, or recipe.

A man following a recipe online 'recipe schema', which is one of the types of structured data

By implementing structured data correctly, you can:

✔️ Improve your rankings in Google’s search results
✔️ Increase click-through rates (CTR) with rich snippets
✔️ Enhance your visibility in Google’s Knowledge Graph
✔️ Provide more detailed information to users at a glance

Now, let’s dive into the different types of structured data and how they work!

1. Article Schema

If you’re running a blog or a news website, Article Schema is essential. It tells search engines the headline, author, publish date, and featured image of an article, making it eligible for rich results and featured snippets.

Example Use Case:

✔ A news publisher adds Article Schema to an investigative report to improve its chances of appearing in Google’s Top Stories carousel.

Schema Markup Example:

json

{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “NewsArticle”, “headline”: “Google’s Latest Algorithm Update: What You Need to Know”, “author”: “Jane Doe”, “datePublished”: “2023-09-25”, “image”: “https://example.com/article-image.jpg” }

2. Product Schema

E-commerce websites use Product Schema to provide detailed product information like price, availability, reviews, and descriptions. This enhances the visibility of products in search results, making them more appealing to potential buyers.

Example Use Case:

✔ An online clothing store uses Product Schema to showcase star ratings, pricing, and availability directly in Google search results.

Schema Markup Example:

json

{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “Product”, “name”: “Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones”, “image”: “https://example.com/headphones.jpg”, “description”: “Premium wireless headphones with active noise cancellation.”, “offers”: { “@type”: “Offer”, “price”: “199.99”, “priceCurrency”: “USD”, “availability”: “https://schema.org/InStock” } }

3. Local Business Schema

For businesses with a physical location, Local Business Schema helps search engines display essential business information like name, address, phone number (NAP), hours of operation, and customer reviews.

Example Use Case:

✔ A small bakery adds Local Business Schema to its website to appear in Google’s local search results and Google My Business listings.

Schema Markup Example:

json

{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “LocalBusiness”, “name”: “Sweet Treats Bakery”, “address”: { “@type”: “PostalAddress”, “streetAddress”: “123 Main St”, “addressLocality”: “Los Angeles”, “addressRegion”: “CA”, “postalCode”: “90001”, “addressCountry”: “US” }, “telephone”: “+1-555-555-5555”, “openingHours”: “Mo-Sa 08:00-20:00” }

Two people looking at local business schema on a tablet with a local map location shown

4. FAQ Schema

If your website includes FAQs, adding FAQ Schema can help those questions appear as expandable answers directly in search results—increasing visibility and making your content more interactive.

Example Use Case:

✔ A digital marketing agency adds FAQ Schema to its SEO services page so that users can see commonly asked questions without even clicking the link.

Schema Markup Example:

json

{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “FAQPage”, “mainEntity”: [ { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What is SEO?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and is the process of improving a website’s ranking on search engines.” } } ] }

5. Event Schema

Hosting an event? Event Schema helps search engines display event details, including date, time, location, and ticket availability, in search results.

Example Use Case:

✔ A music festival uses Event Schema to provide Google with real-time event information, increasing ticket sales.

Schema Markup Example:

json

{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “Event”, “name”: “SEO Conference 2024”, “startDate”: “2024-06-15T10:00”, “location”: { “@type”: “Place”, “name”: “Los Angeles Convention Center”, “address”: { “@type”: “PostalAddress”, “streetAddress”: “1201 S Figueroa St”, “addressLocality”: “Los Angeles”, “addressRegion”: “CA”, “postalCode”: “90015”, “addressCountry”: “US” } } }

6. Recipe Schema

For food bloggers, Recipe Schema is crucial—it helps Google display cooking times, ingredients, and star ratings in search results, increasing engagement.

Example Use Case:

✔ A food blog uses Recipe Schema to boost traffic to their website by appearing in Google’s recipe carousel.

Schema Markup Example:

json

{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Chocolate Chip Cookies”, “image”: “https://example.com/cookies.jpg”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 cups flour”, “1 cup sugar”, “1/2 cup butter”], “cookTime”: “PT30M”, “recipeInstructions”: “Mix ingredients and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.” }

Final Thoughts: Why the Types of Structured Data Matter

Using structured data isn’t just a technical SEO trick—it’s a powerful way to make your content more visible, interactive, and appealing in search results.

✔ Boosts search rankings
✔ Increases organic traffic
✔ Improves click-through rates
✔ Enhances user experience

Want to learn more? Check out our guide on Schema Markup & SEO for a deeper dive into implementation and strategy.

Need an easy way to test structured data? Use Google’s Rich Results Test to ensure your schema markup is working correctly.

Start using structured data today and watch your rankings soar!

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