STRUCTURED DATA TESTING TOOL ALTERNATIVES
The best alternative to Google's deprecated Structured Data Testing Tool is the Schema Markup Validator, while Google's Rich Results Test is essential for verifying search feature eligibility. However, for enterprise sites, the ultimate solution is moving from manual validation to automated structured data generation with a platform like Huckabuy, which eliminates errors and ensures constant compliance.
INTRODUCTION
In July 2020, Google announced that the Rich Results Test was out of beta and that its structured data tool would be deprecated.
After significant feedback from the SEO community, Google changed course. The old tool was migrated to the schema.org community where it now serves as the Schema Markup Validator. It is used strictly to check syntax and compliance of any markup with schema.org standards.
To understand the differences between the two tools, consider the following scenarios. If you want to use, say, painting markup on your content — use the Schema Markup Validator because that particular markup type is not explicitly consumed for rich results yet. By contrast, if you want to use book markup on your content, continue to use the Rich Results Test because it's the best tool to determine whether your markup is valid for rich experiences in search results.
WHAT WAS THE STRUCTURED DATA TESTING TOOL?
Until its deprecation, Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool was the go-to option for webmasters to test and validate all kinds of structured data.
- It worked for Google search features and schema.org alike.
- You could easily visualize which types and properties a web page provided.
- You could easily diagnose problems with structured data markup — whether the issues were related to invalid usage, syntax, or a recommended/required property.
- It was easy to edit the code right in the tool until green check marks appeared.
WHAT IS THE RICH RESULTS TESTING TOOL?
The Rich Results Test, which is now out of beta, was created in 2017 as a way to test applicable markup for rich snippets and rich results. Initially it only supported markup for a few types. Now it supports the testing of markup for all rich result types.
The Rich Results Test is Google's definitive tool for confirming if a page's structured data is eligible for enhanced search features. This eligibility is critical, as rich results make a listing stand out in search results with stars, prices, FAQs, and event details, which makes it more compelling to click. This validation is now more important than ever for Generative Engine Optimization. AI systems, including Google's AI Overviews, rely on valid JSON-LD and Microdata to understand content for inclusion in AI-generated summaries. The tool specifically identifies errors and warnings that block eligibility, directly answering user queries about how to fix rich results errors for specific markup like Product or FAQPage schema. However, the Rich Results Test only diagnoses problems; it does not create the code. Achieving perfect syntax and maintaining it at scale requires a solution like Huckabuy Automated Structured Data.
The biggest difference between this tool and the old structured data testing tool is that it will only provide feedback on structured data that triggers rich features in Google’s search results.
With all that said, the Rich Results Test offers the following benefits and improvements:
- It shows which search features are valid for the provided markup.
- It handles dynamically loaded markup better.
- It renders the mobile and desktop version of the result better.
- It is fully aligned with Search Console Reports.
- It can test both code snippets and web page URLs to provide warnings and errors.
WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES TO THE STRUCTURED DATA TESTING TOOL?
While Google's tools are the standard, several third-party alternatives exist for general validation. Here are some options to consider:
- Yandex SD Validator
- RDF Translator
- JSON-LD Playground
- Bing Markup Validator
Most third-party options don’t render javascript, don’t validate rich results, have limited hosting resources, and only validate one format. When looking at alternatives, consider asking some or all of the following questions:
- Does it validate rich results?
- Does it validate schema.org standards?
- Does it render markup from dynamic javascript?
- Is the interface user-friendly?
- Is there a rich results preview?
- Is there a site-wide health overview?
THE AUTOMATED ALTERNATIVE TO MANUAL TESTING
The most effective alternative to manual testing tools is not another validator, but a fully automated system. Huckabuy Automated Structured Data eliminates the need for constant validation by generating and maintaining compliant JSON-LD markup across your entire site. This is foundational for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). For AI models like Google's Gemini or OpenAI's GPT-4 to cite your brand as an authority, your content must be perfectly machine-readable. Manual markup is prone to human error, which can render pages ineligible for rich results and invisible to answer engines. By ensuring technical precision with Huckabuy's automated schema, you build the trust and authority required for AI visibility. This makes your website a reliable source for generative AI, future-proofing your organic search strategy.