The Structured Data (Schema Markup) Checklist: What to Verify Before You Publish

Run through this before you consider structured data (schema markup) actually done:

1. Validate every schema block with Google's Rich Results Test before publishing — a single missing required property (like `image` on Product) can disqualify the whole block from rich results.
2. Match the schema to what's actually visible on the page — marking up a 5-star rating that isn't shown to users violates Google's structured data guidelines and can trigger a manual action.
3. Use JSON-LD instead of microdata or RDFa — it's Google's preferred format and much easier to maintain since it lives in a single script block, not scattered through your HTML.
4. Layer multiple types where they genuinely apply — a recipe page can carry Recipe, Review, and BreadcrumbList schema all at once.
5. Double-check this after any site migration or major redesign, not just at launch.

None of these individually take long. The value is in doing all of them, every time, instead of remembering most of them most of the time.

Pair this with the 301 redirect chains checklist if you're doing a fuller pre-launch pass.

Schema Generator runs through most of this automatically.

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