You might have come across the term “Google Rich Results” but are unsure what they actually are. Or maybe you’ve seen rich snippets in search results and wondered how to create them. Well, read on! Rich results are Google’s way of extending the search result capabilities. A good analogy is having a picture inserted over plain text, or adding more information onto that . It allows website owners to present their site, product or provider data in ways that people will find more relevant.
So how are Google Rich Results different from regular results? They are basically the same results as before, but are now presented in a richer, more visual format.
Rich results are the enhanced listings appearing in search results when using Google search. These are different to regular search results because they also include images, have tighter integration with social media, are easily accessible through mobile-optimized preview pages, and are more prominent. Rich results are used to display things like Geo pins, events calendars, business listings, starred reviews, places of interest, video content and more.
Below is an example of an Ecommerce website where we have integrated “Google Rich Results” markup, for a product page.
Hilighted in red is the Rich content, in this case it shows the price of the product and showcases that the product is “In Stock”
Another example above which we implemented for Buzz Bingo, showing the next available Events for their Club in Leicester.
What are the advantages of Google Rich Results?
I imagine you are wondering what Google rich results are and whether or not you should be trying to get your web pages to display as such?
The Rich snippets allow your listings to stand out from the regular results. This can increase the chance of someone visiting your page or allow them to realise that your page isn’t the right one for them. The positive of giving the user this extra information helps to reduce your bounce rates as it makes it more relevant to the user.
Is my current website already running Google Rich Results?
So you’re probably wondering how you can check whether your existing site is already running Rich results. Google have a search tool which allows you to check specific pages of your website for Rich results: https://search.google.com/test/rich-results simply enter your page url into the input field then click “Test URL”
The results page will then confirm whether your Page is eligible for Rich results and outline any existing Rich results on your page.
How can I implement Google Rich Results for my website
Google uses structured data to understand the content on your web pages. Their recommended format is JSON-LD but you can also use Microdata or RDFa.
Entrust the task of implementing structured data to a dedicated web team so they can manage and oversee all aspects of the task. This will help ensure that it is implemented and applied correctly and within the specifications laid by Google. As incorrectly setup structured data could have a negative effect on your SEO strategy.
If you require assistance in setting up Google Rich Results for your website please Contact Us.