Common Schema Markup Errors & How to Fix Them

Why Schema Markup Errors Matter

Schema markup is powerful for SEO, but only when implemented correctly. Even small errors can prevent search engines from parsing your structured data, causing you to miss out on rich snippets, enhanced search results, and improved click-through rates.

Understanding common schema markup errors—and knowing how to fix them—ensures your structured data delivers maximum SEO value.

The 10 Most Common Schema Markup Errors

1. Missing Required Properties

Error: Schema types have mandatory fields. For example, Product schema requires name, while Review schema needs reviewRating.

Fix: Consult the Schema.org documentation for your schema type and ensure all required properties are included. Validation tools will specify which properties are missing.

2. Invalid Date Formats

Error: Using dates like "01/24/2026" instead of ISO 8601 format "2026-01-24".

Fix: Always use ISO 8601 format: YYYY-MM-DD for dates, or YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS for date-times. Include timezone when relevant.

3. Incorrect Data Types

Error: Providing a number as text (e.g., "price": "29.99" instead of "price": 29.99) or mixing data types incorrectly.

Fix: Match the expected data type exactly. Numeric values should not be in quotes (unless specified as Text), and URLs must be complete with http:// or https://.

4. JSON-LD Syntax Errors

Error: Missing commas, brackets, or quotation marks; trailing commas at the end of objects; or unescaped special characters.

Fix: Validate your JSON-LD using a JSON validator first to catch syntax issues. Common mistakes include forgetting commas between properties or leaving a trailing comma after the last property.

5. Using Wrong Schema Type

Error: Marking a blog post as Product instead of Article, or using Organization when LocalBusiness is more appropriate.

Fix: Choose the most specific schema type that accurately represents your content. Review Schema.org's type hierarchy and select the best match.

6. Duplicate or Conflicting Schema

Error: Having multiple schema blocks defining the same entity with different information, or conflicting @id values.

Fix: Consolidate duplicate schema into a single definition. Use @id to reference entities instead of duplicating them.

7. Missing or Incorrect URLs

Error: Relative URLs (e.g., "/about") instead of absolute URLs (e.g., "https://example.com/about"), or missing url properties entirely.

Fix: Always use complete, absolute URLs with protocol (https://). Ensure all url, image, and logo properties are fully qualified.

8. Invalid Image Properties

Error: Missing image dimensions, using non-accessible image URLs, or providing images smaller than Google's minimum requirements (typically 1200px width for featured images).

Fix: Include width and height in your ImageObject. Ensure images are publicly accessible and meet size requirements for rich results.

9. Mismatched Nesting and Relationships

Error: Incorrect parent-child relationships, such as putting publisher inside author instead of at the Article level.

Fix: Follow Schema.org's property hierarchy carefully. Validate that nested objects are in the correct parent context and use appropriate types.

10. Not Updating Schema After Content Changes

Error: Leaving outdated information in schema markup, like old prices, expired event dates, or changed business hours.

Fix: Treat schema markup as dynamic content. Update it whenever the underlying content changes, and use dateModified to indicate when updates occurred.

Impact of Schema Errors on SEO

How to Prevent Schema Errors

• Validate Before Publishing – Always test schema markup in validation tools before deploying to production.
• Use JSON-LD Format – JSON-LD is less error-prone than Microdata or RDFa and easier to maintain.
• Follow Schema.org Documentation – Reference official documentation for each schema type you implement.
• Monitor Google Search Console – Check the "Enhancements" section regularly for structured data errors and warnings.
• Automate Testing – Integrate schema validation into your deployment pipeline or content management system.
• Keep Schema Updated – Review and update schema markup when content changes or Schema.org releases new versions.
• Test on Real URLs – Validate schema on live pages, not just local development, to catch server-side issues.

Step-by-Step: Fixing Schema Errors

1. Run a Validation Test – Use Google Rich Results Test or SchemaValidator.org to scan your page.
2. Review Error Messages – Read each error carefully. Most validators provide specific guidance on what's wrong.
3. Check Syntax First – If you see "Invalid JSON" errors, fix syntax issues before addressing content problems.
4. Add Missing Required Fields – Ensure every required property for your schema type is present and correctly formatted.
5. Correct Data Types and Formats – Fix date formats, numeric values, and URL structures.
6. Re-validate – Test again to confirm all errors are resolved. Repeat until validation passes completely.
7. Monitor in Search Console – After fixing errors, check Google Search Console within a few days to ensure no new issues appear.