The Schema Markup Validator (SMV) is a tool for validating all Schema.org Structured Data that’s embedded in a web page.
The SMV is a replacement for Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool (SDTT). Google originally intended the Rich Results Testing Tool to replace the SDTT. However, Google received backlash about this change. They ultimately decided to incorporate validation tooling into Schema.Org to support SEOs as they test their Structured Data.
Here is the official announcement from Schema.Org:
As agreed last year, Schema.org is the new home for the Structured Data validator previously known as the Structured Data Testing Tool (SDTT). It is now simpler to use, and available for testing. Schema.org will integrate feedback into its draft documentation and add it more explicitly to the Schema.org website for the next official release.
Structured Data Testing Tool Deprecation: A History
The SEO community was rocked in 2020 when Google announced that they would be deprecating the Structured Data Testing Tool and replacing this resource with the Rich Results Testing Tool, which had just come out of beta. However, the Rich Results Testing Tool has some drawbacks in comparison to the Structured Data Testing Tool.
The SDTT validates all schemas, whereas the Rich Results Testing Tool only supports a subset of Google-approved schemas and does not validate all types of rich results. SEOs were not happy; enter the SMV.
On August 9th, 2021, Google officially replaced the Structured Data Testing Tool with the Schema Markup Validator. The SDTT now redirects to a landing page to help you choose the right testing tool for your markup.
To learn more about how to test if your Schema Markup is working, our guide How Do I Know If My Schema Markup is Working is a helpful reference!
Schema Markup Validator Features
The Schema Markup Validator is based on the Google Structured Data Testing Tool. The service, provided by Google for the Schema.Org community, can validate Schema.Org based Structured Data embedded in web pages, otherwise known as Schema Markup.
The SMV has the ability to:
- extract JSON-LD, RDFa, and Microdata markup,
- display a summary of the extracted Structured Data, and
- identify syntax mistakes in the markup.
Our Schema App solution will provide you access to an enterprise level site-wide Schema Markup testing tool (aka the Schema App Analyzer) that can further help you analyze your Structured Data. To learn more about different types of Structured Data tools, we’ve compiled a list of 70+ tools you might find helpful, including our own.
We’ll keep testing with the new SMV and keep you updated with any errors we happen to run into with the tool. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed!
See instant results from Structured Data with our Schema App solution
Martha is the CEO and co-founder of Schema App. Schema App is an end-to-end Schema Markup solution that helps enterprise SEO teams create, deploy and manage Schema Markup to stand out in search. She is an active member of the search engine optimization community, and the work that she does through Schema App is helping brands from all over the world improve their organic search performance.