JSON-LD Structured Data: The Complete Guide to Rich Snippets
What JSON-LD Is and Why Google Prefers It
JSON-LD (JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Data) is Google's preferred format for structured data. Unlike microdata (inline HTML attributes) or RDFa, JSON-LD sits in a <script type='application/ld+json'> block — making it easy to add, modify, or remove without changing page HTML.
Schema Types That Enable Rich Snippets
Article: enables date, author, image snippets. FAQ: expandable questions in search results. HowTo: step-by-step in rich results. Product: price, availability, reviews. Event: date, location, ticket status. LocalBusiness: knowledge panel info. Recipe: ingredients, cook time, calories. BreadcrumbList: breadcrumb trail below title.
JSON-LD Implementation
Place the <script> block in the <head> or anywhere in the <body> — Google processes it regardless of position. For Next.js, use a Server Component to inject JSON-LD. Validate with Google's Rich Results Test before deploying. Monitor in Search Console → Rich Results for coverage and errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generate JSON-LD markup
Use the free JSON-LD Generator to create valid structured data for any schema type.
Open JSON-LD Generator