Google has announced it will be discontinuing support for seven structured data types as part of an effort to streamline how information appears in search results. The changes are expected to roll out over the coming weeks and will affect how content is visually presented, though they will not impact search rankings .
Why Is Google Making This Change?
According to Google, these structured data features have seen limited usage and no longer provide significant value to users. By removing them, the company aims to simplify the search experience and focus on more widely used features that enhance user satisfaction.
In an official statement, Google said:
“We’re phasing out these specific structured data types because our analysis shows that they’re not commonly used in Search, and we found that these specific displays are no longer providing significant additional value for users. Removing them will help streamline the results page and focus on other experiences that are more useful and widely used.”
The company also clarified that this change does not affect how pages rank in search results. It only impacts the visual enhancements provided by these specific structured data types within Google Search. Websites can continue using these markups for other purposes outside of search without any issues.
Which Structured Data Types Are Being Discontinued?
The following seven structured data features will no longer be supported:
- Book Actions – Allowed users to see purchase or preview options directly in search results.
- Course Info – Enhanced educational course listings with instructor details and descriptions.
- Claim Review – Highlighted fact-checked claims and their verification status.
- Estimated Salary – Displayed salary ranges for job-related content.
- Learning Video – Provided structured information about educational video content.
- Special Announcement – Designed to showcase important updates, especially during events like the pandemic.
- Vehicle Listing – Offered enhanced views for car listings, including pricing and specs.
What Should Website Owners Do?
If your site uses any of these structured data types, you won’t need to take immediate action. However, you should expect to see a simpler presentation of your content in search results, as the visual enhancements powered by these markups will gradually disappear.
Keep in mind that while these structured data types will no longer influence how your content appears in Google Search, they can still be used for non-Google purposes.