What to Know:
– Google has quietly revised the purpose of the SpecialAnnouncement structured data.
– The SpecialAnnouncement structured data was originally intended for COVID-19 related announcements.
– Google has expanded the use of this structured data to include other types of announcements.
– The change was made without any official announcement or documentation from Google.
– This change has caused confusion among webmasters and SEO professionals.
The Full Story:
Google has quietly altered the purpose of the SpecialAnnouncement structured data, causing confusion among webmasters and SEO professionals. The SpecialAnnouncement structured data was originally introduced by Google in March 2020 to help website owners provide COVID-19 related announcements to users. However, without any official announcement or documentation, Google has expanded the use of this structured data to include other types of announcements as well.
The SpecialAnnouncement structured data is a way for website owners to mark up their content so that it appears as a special announcement in Google search results. This can be useful for providing important information to users, such as updates on COVID-19 guidelines, changes in business operations, or other time-sensitive announcements.
Initially, the SpecialAnnouncement structured data was specifically designed for COVID-19 related announcements. However, Google has now expanded its use to include other types of announcements as well. This change has caused confusion among webmasters and SEO professionals who were not aware of the expanded scope of the SpecialAnnouncement structured data.
The lack of official announcement or documentation from Google regarding this change has made it difficult for webmasters to understand the new guidelines and best practices for using the SpecialAnnouncement structured data. This has led to inconsistencies in how this structured data is being implemented across different websites.
The confusion surrounding the revised purpose of the SpecialAnnouncement structured data highlights the importance of clear communication from Google regarding any changes or updates to its guidelines and algorithms. Webmasters and SEO professionals rely on accurate and up-to-date information from Google to ensure that their websites are optimized for search engine visibility.
It is important for Google to provide clear guidelines and documentation on how to use the SpecialAnnouncement structured data for different types of announcements. This will help webmasters and SEO professionals understand the best practices for implementing this structured data and ensure that their announcements are displayed correctly in Google search results.
In conclusion, Google’s revision of the SpecialAnnouncement structured data has quietly changed its original purpose. The expanded use of this structured data for other types of announcements has caused confusion among webmasters and SEO professionals. It is crucial for Google to provide clear guidelines and documentation to ensure consistent and accurate implementation of the SpecialAnnouncement structured data.
Original article: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-alters-purpose-of-specialannouncement-structured-data/505365/