Google is enhancing its product structured data by introducing a new ‘Certification’ type, which will replace the existing ‘EnergyConsumptionDetails’ type to improve how merchants are listed.

This change will allow for better clarity and accuracy in product information. The ‘Certification’ markup will support a broader range of certifications relevant to products, making it easier for users to understand the quality and standards of the items they are considering.

Beginning in April, websites will need to update their structured data to incorporate the new ‘Certification’ type. Merchants are encouraged to implement this update promptly to ensure compliance and to enhance their product visibility in search results.

Google has recently announced a significant update to its Search Central documentation, which introduces support for certification markup in product structured data. This enhancement is intended to help merchants provide clearer and more comprehensive information about their products, specifically in relation to various certifications that may apply.

The update will take full effect in April, allowing businesses ample time to adapt their structured data to include the new certification type. By implementing this change, Google aims to improve the relevance and accuracy of product listings in search results, ensuring that users have access to essential information when making purchasing decisions. This move reflects Google’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the shopping experience for consumers while also promoting transparency and trust in product information across its platforms.

 

New Certification Markup For Merchant Listings

Google has recently expanded its product structured data documentation by introducing support for Certification markup specifically for merchant listings. This addition is significant as it allows retailers and e-commerce sites to include detailed information about the certifications associated with their products. By doing so, businesses can now showcase essential compliance and quality assurance details that may be important to consumers during their purchasing process.

The implementation of Certification markup will not only help businesses improve their product visibility but also enhance the overall shopping experience for customers. By providing clear and comprehensive certification information, retailers can build trust with potential buyers, ensuring they feel more confident in their choices. This update underscores Google’s ongoing commitment to providing users with relevant and accurate information, ultimately facilitating more informed purchasing decisions in the digital marketplace.

 

Transition From EnergyConsumptionDetails to Certification Type

A significant part of this update involves the replacement of the EnergyConsumptionDetails type with the more flexible Certification type. This new type is designed to accommodate a wider variety of countries and certifications, providing greater utility for merchants.

Google advises websites currently using EnergyConsumptionDetails in their structured data to transition to the Certification type before April. Making this switch is important to ensure that product pages are optimized for Google’s merchant listing features, helping retailers maintain visibility and relevance in search results.

 

Expanded Capabilities & Global Relevance

The shift to the Certification type marks an expansion in the range of product certifications that can be communicated through structured data. 

While the EnergyConsumptionDetails type primarily focused on energy efficiency ratings, the new Certification markup allows for a broader variety of product certifications and standards to be included, enhancing the information available to consumers.

 

Implementation Guidelines

Google has included examples in its updated documentation to help webmasters effectively implement the new Certification markup. 

These examples demonstrate how to specify various certifications, such as CO2 emission classes for vehicles and energy efficiency labels for electronic devices. Webmasters should add the structured data to product pages using JSON-LD format, ensuring the Certification type is nested within the product’s existing structured data.

For consumers, this update enhances access to detailed and standardized product information directly in search results, particularly concerning certifications and compliance with various standards. 

Reviewing the full documentation is essential to ensure proper implementation of the new markup. By including certification information in structured data, retailers can create more informative product listings, which could positively influence user click-through rates and purchase decisions.

 

Next Steps

Website owners and SEO professionals are advised to follow these steps:

  1. Review Current Use: Examine how the EnergyConsumptionDetails type is currently utilized in product structured data.
  2. Plan Transition: Prepare for the switch to the new Certification type before the April deadline.
  3. Implement Markup: Add the Certification markup to product pages according to Google’s guidelines.
  4. Test Implementation: Use Google’s Rich Results Test tool to verify the implementation.

As with any significant changes to structured data, it’s important to monitor search performance and the appearance of rich results after making these updates.

 

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