Understanding the Role of Semantic Attributes Versus JSON-LD in FAQ Schema Markup
In the evolving landscape of SEO and structured data implementation, developers often grapple with the question: Is it necessary or even advantageous to include semantic attributes alongside JSON-LD structured data? This query is particularly pertinent when designing FAQ pages, which are a prime opportunity to enhance search visibility through schema markup.
Exploring the Current Best Practices
Structured data on FAQ pages typically combines two approaches:
-
Semantic HTML Attributes: Utilizing schema.org vocabulary directly within HTML elements, such as
itemscope,itemtype, anditemprop. This method embeds semantic meaning within the page’s HTML structure, potentially aiding both users and crawlers. -
JSON-LD Scripts: Embedding a separate script tag containing JSON-formatted schema data. JSON-LD is recommended by Google for its clarity and ease of implementation, and it does not interfere with the visual presentation.
An Example of Combined Implementation
Consider the following simplified markup that employs both methods:
“`html
Question Title
Answer description here
“`
The Reality of Implementation in the Industry
Despite Google’s documentation emphasizing the use of JSON-LD, empirical research of numerous FAQ implementations reveals a trend: only a minority of websites (approximately 2 out of 12 in observed