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Google’s structured data testing tool to be replaced

Google's structured data testing tool to be replaced
by
August 1, 2020
in OFF-PAGE SEO
206

If you’re an SEO professional or website owner, you might have heard the news that Google is retiring its Structured Data Testing Tool and replacing it with the newly launched Rich Results Tool. This announcement has sparked concerns and confusion among SEO experts and website owners alike.

In this article, we’ll explore why Google made this change and what it means for you. We’ll also discuss the benefits of the Rich Results Tool and what you can do if you rely heavily on the Structured Data Testing Tool.

Why is Google Replacing its Structured Data Testing Tool?

Google announced that they are replacing the Structured Data Testing Tool with the Rich Results Tool because it offers a better user experience and more comprehensive features. The Rich Results Tool is designed to handle dynamically loaded structured data more effectively, and it can render both mobile and desktop versions of a result. Additionally, it provides detailed reporting on which search feature enhancements are valid for the markup you’re providing.

What are the Benefits of the Rich Results Tool?

The Rich Results Tool offers several benefits that the Structured Data Testing Tool did not provide. For example, the Rich Results Tool offers detailed reporting on which search feature enhancements are valid for the markup you’re providing. It also provides an easy preview of schema and allows for efficient troubleshooting of schema that qualifies for rich results.

Moreover, the Rich Results Tool is fully aligned with Search Console reports, making it a valuable addition to Google’s SEO toolkit. A page as tested on both the Rich Results Tool and the Structured Data Testing Tool. Below is the result of the Structured Data Testing Tool.

google testing tool

The result from the Rich Results Testing Tool is as follows…

rich results test

Why are SEOs Concerned about the Replacement?

Despite Google’s assurances that the Rich Results Tool fully supports all Google Search rich result features, some SEOs remain concerned about losing the Structured Data Testing Tool. The reason for this is that the Structured Data Testing Tool allowed for reporting on ALL schemas, not just what qualifies as a Google “Rich Result.”

For instance, webpage and article markup do not qualify as rich results, which is why the Rich Results Tool isn’t picking them up. SEOs are concerned that they will lose a tool that served a different purpose than the one it’s being replaced with.

How Does the Rich Results Tool Compare to the Structured Data Testing Tool?

To understand the differences between the two tools, we ran a page through both the Rich Results Tool and the Structured Data Testing Tool. Below are the results of each tool:

  • Result from the Structured Data Testing Tool: [Image of result]
  • Result from the Rich Results Tool: [Image of result]

As you can see, the Rich Results Tool provides more detailed information about the markup and the search feature enhancements that are valid for it.

What Can You Do if You Rely on the Structured Data Testing Tool?

If you rely heavily on the Structured Data Testing Tool, don’t panic. The Rich Results Tool has its own set of benefits to offer. Moreover, there are several other tools that you can use to validate schema that isn’t currently offered at Google Rich Results.

According to John Mueller, a Google Search Advocate, the Structured Data Testing Tool will still be available for the time being, as Google does not plan to take it out right away. However, in the long run, Google plans to keep just one single tool instead of two tools.

Conclusion

Google’s decision to replace its Structured Data Testing Tool with the Rich Results Tool has caused some concern among SEO professionals and website owners. However, the Rich Results Tool offers several benefits that the Structured Data Testing Tool did not provide, including comprehensive reporting on which search feature enhancements are valid for the markup you’re providing.

Although the Structured Data Testing Tool will still be available for the time being, it’s essential to start familiarizing yourself with the Rich Results Tool and other alternative schema validation tools. By doing so, you can ensure that your website’s structured data is optimized for search engines and that you’re not missing out on any potential traffic or rankings.

In summary, the retirement of the Structured Data Testing Tool and the launch of the Rich Results Tool is a reflection of Google’s ongoing commitment to improving the user experience and providing more comprehensive SEO tools to website owners and SEO professionals. While there may be some initial concerns and confusion, the benefits of the Rich Results Tool are clear, and it’s a valuable addition to any SEO toolkit.

Listen to what John Mueller said on this, in this Google hangout, on the 21st of July. https://youtu.be/QPh3T7oemxM

FAQs

Is the Rich Results Tool better than the Structured Data Testing Tool?
Yes, the Rich Results Tool is a more comprehensive and effective tool for validating structured data markup.

Will the Structured Data Testing Tool still be available?
Yes, the Structured Data Testing Tool will still be available for the time being, but Google plans to keep just one single tool instead of two tools in the long run.

What are the benefits of the Rich Results Tool?
The Rich Results Tool offers comprehensive reporting on which search feature enhancements are valid for the markup you’re providing. It also provides an easy preview of schema and allows for efficient troubleshooting of schema that qualifies for rich results.

What should I do if I rely heavily on the Structured Data Testing Tool?
If you rely heavily on the Structured Data Testing Tool, start familiarizing yourself with the Rich Results Tool and other alternative schema validation tools to ensure that your website’s structured data is optimized for search engines.

Why are SEOs concerned about the replacement?
SEOs are concerned that they will lose a tool that served a different purpose than the one it’s being replaced with. The Structured Data Testing Tool allowed for reporting on ALL schemas, not just what qualifies as a Google “Rich Result.”

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