Implement Schema Markup for Rich Results

Provides expertise in structured data and schema markup focused on Google rich result eligibility, accuracy, and impact - determining whether schema markup is appropriate, which schema types are valid, and preventing invalid, misleading, or spammy markup, without guaranteeing rich results or misrepresenting page content.

Use this skill when deciding whether to add schema markup to a page, choosing which schema.org type fits real visible content, or designing maintainable JSON-LD for rich-result eligibility. Not a fit for adding schema to content that doesn't actually exist on the page, or for using schema to game rich results - the process is designed to stop and refuse when that's the intent.

Before writing any schema, calculates a required Schema Eligibility & Impact Index (0-100) across six weighted categories: Content-Schema Alignment (25, automatic failure if schema describes content not shown), Rich Result Eligibility per Google (25), Data Completeness & Accuracy (20, no placeholders or fabricated data), Technical Correctness (15, valid JSON-LD with correct nesting), Maintenance & Sustainability (10), and Spam/Policy Risk (5). The resulting score maps to four bands: 85-100 Strong Candidate, 70-84 Valid but Limited, 55-69 High Risk (implement only with strict controls), and below 55 Do Not Implement (stop and explain why).

Above a 70 score, proceeds to page and goal assessment (page type, existing schema state, targeted rich result) under four non-negotiable principles: accuracy over ambition (schema must match visible content exactly, never add content just to justify schema), Google's rich-result documentation takes priority over the broader schema.org spec, minimal purposeful markup over decorative markup, and continuous validation via Search Console. Covers common schema types and their eligibility conditions - Organization, WebSite with SearchAction, Article/BlogPosting, Product (must show price/availability/offers visibly), SoftwareApplication, FAQPage (only for genuinely visible, non-promotional Q&A), HowTo (genuine instructional content, not marketing funnels), BreadcrumbList, LocalBusiness, Review/AggregateRating (no self-serving reviews), and Event - plus @graph rules for multiple entities on one page.

Required output includes a Schema Strategy Summary (index score, verdict, supported types, risks), the JSON-LD implementation itself, placement instructions, and a validation checklist (valid JSON-LD, passes Rich Results Test, matches visible content, meets Google eligibility rules).

Validated against Google's Rich Results Test, the Schema.org Validator, and Search Console Enhancements reports, with implementation guidance for static site templates, server-side-rendered JSON-LD in React/Next.js, and CMS/WordPress structured plugins rather than hardcoded theme schema.

SEO practitioners and developers adding structured data to a site who need a disciplined eligibility check before implementation, to avoid invalid or spammy schema that risks a Google manual action rather than earning rich results.

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "..."
}