Structured Data (Schema Markup) FAQ: Questions People Actually Ask

**What is structured data (schema markup), in plain terms?**
Structured data doesn't directly boost rankings, but it's the difference between a plain blue link and a rich result with stars, prices, or FAQ dropdowns — and rich results get clicked more.

**How often should this be checked?**
Regularly, not just once. Marking up content that isn't on the page at all (schema spam) — this is explicitly against Google's guidelines and risky. Set a recurring reminder rather than trusting memory.

**What's the most common mistake here?**
Copy-pasting a schema template without updating every field, leaving placeholder values like 'Your Company Name' live in production.

**Does this actually affect rankings, or is it just best practice?**
It's rarely a single ranking factor on its own, but it affects whether search engines and users can do what you actually need them to do — which shows up in rankings indirectly, often more than any one direct factor would.

**What's the fastest way to check this on an existing site?**
Schema Generator — paste your URL in and it does the check directly, no setup.

Related: our guide to keyword density.

Everything in this guide runs directly in your browser — no signup, no install.