SEO for 2014 : Get Used to Structured Data Markup

How Structured Data Markup Will Play a Role  in 2014 SEO Strategy

Google has changed it's method of displaying results in last couple of updates, whether it's been Humming Bird update or Knowledge Graph. 

Humming is completely related to kind of queries which user can speak or think and Knowledge Graph is all about displaying most relevant complete information about the search query.

To start with Google was always focused on matching search queries with the content present on respective webpage, article, news or any other medium. Based on relevancy and match, it used to provide ranking for different websites. 

Semantic Markup

Now Google's has become more and more smart by shifting it's focus from just content relevancy to semantic markup or structured data markup. SEO experts started implementing this technique from 2012 onward and saw a jump in their clicks and conversions as user prefer to see more and more information about the products or services being offered by the providers.  

In 2014, Structured Data Markup will be an essential part of all the SEO Strategies being planned.  Google has also included different tools for structured data markup in Google webmaster tool

1. Structured Data Testing Tool
2. Structured Data Markup Helper

Here are few common questions which are being asked by all the website owners before going with Structured Data Markup:

Does Structured Markup Data Help in Improving Ranking?

Well for this query answer is "it may or it may not". As per the some online trends or audits it is clear that having structured data does not really guarantee for top ranking but it definitely works well for increasing clicks and conversions. 

Structured Data Markup helps users to take actions, as almost every information which they are looking for will be present in-front of them.

For example: 

If searched for "Chocolate Cake Recipe" we get 

 

Here Structured Data Markup is implemented for Addapinch.com but not implemented for BBC.co.uk which is ranking higher. As user see more information on Addapinch.com like ratings and reviews by other users, there will be more click and consideration for that link.

Does Structured Data Markup Increases User Consideration?

Since there are additional information provided with the product like product image, ratings, reviews, offers, author name and etc, users will be more interested to know about that. 

User always trust on ratings and reviews provided by other users based on their experience as it helps them in considering the product. 

Is Structured Data Markup Next Big Thing in SEO?

Well up to a certain level yes, structured markup data is being considered by most of the search engines to provide ranking as it is one of the easiest way to provide more and more information to users. 

Google has already made great progress in improving the ordered list format from one based on just keyword matches to one that accounts for diversity of opinion and sentiment, freshness, personalization, localization and other factors.

Structured data is used basically to provide all the information to users without doing many clicks to get the right and desired information. Google’s knowledge graph, instant answers, and Google Now are great examples of the future of the searching experience.With these technologies, relevant information is available based on the implicit (behaviorally- or environmentally-based) or explicit (a typed or voice search) query.

By using structured markup, you can help the search engines better understand how your content provides a solution to a query now and as it evolves in the future.

Will I be Benefited By Using Structured Data Markup?

Yes, you will be. Recent market trends and reports shows that user clicks on those links where every information is present upfront and other users have given some reviews about product. 

It is clearly experienced by many website owners that after implementing Structured Data Markup, their click through rate has significantly increased.

Is Structured Data markup Enough to Get More Clicks and Conversions?

No, it is not enough to have Structured Data Markup only and get higher ranking along with increased clicks and conversions. You need to do proper On-Page SEO and Off-Page SEO for your website to get higher search engine rankings. Also you will have to be actively present on Social Media Platforms to reach to your targeted audience.