Add Review Rich Snippets to WordPress - A How-To Guide
The Evolution of Google Search and Semantic Information
Recent weeks have seen significant alterations to Google’s search results, driven by an increasing integration of semantic information. Google commonly terms this enhanced data presentation as Rich Snippets.
One prominent example of this shift has been the inclusion of detailed recipe meta-data directly within search results, displaying elements like ingredients and preparation times.
Implementing Semantic Markup on WordPress
For those maintaining a WordPress blog focused on reviews or similar content, incorporating semantic markup is generally a straightforward process.
However, compatibility issues with your specific blog theme can sometimes arise, leading to errors during implementation.
Addressing Potential Errors with Plugins
Let's explore a suitable plugin solution and methods for resolving common errors you might encounter while adding semantic markup to your WordPress site.
A well-chosen plugin can streamline the process and help ensure accurate data presentation to search engines.
Troubleshooting these errors is crucial for maximizing the benefits of Rich Snippets and improving your site’s visibility in search results.
GD StarRatings: A Comprehensive Overview
For bloggers who incorporate reviews into their content, the GDStarRatings plugin is an essential tool. I have personally utilized it from the beginning on my iPad Board Games website, enabling readers to provide ratings for the games they have experienced.
Long-Standing Reliability and Rich Snippet Support
This plugin boasts a considerable history of development, and its creators proactively integrated Rich Snippet markup last year. Unlike newer micro-formats like those for recipes, the standards for review markup are well-defined. Consequently, the plugin generates properly formatted review code that typically avoids Google validation issues.
Let's proceed with a concise guide to installation and configuration, acknowledging that the extensive options available can initially seem complex. The first step involves downloading the plugin directly through the WordPress dashboard.
Initial Setup and Default Features
Upon activation, the plugin automatically incorporates a rating block, a thumbs-up block, and comment ratings into your site.
It's often beneficial to disable features that aren't required. Access the newly added ratings section within your WordPress admin sidebar, then select Settings. Begin by deactivating the "thumbs-up" ratings by clicking the green thumbs-up icon adjacent to the term "article" – refer to the provided screenshot for clarity.
Customizing Auto-Inserted Ratings
Deselect all options related to Auto-insert ratings code to eliminate unwanted rating displays.
I proceeded to apply this same approach to all other automatically inserted rating blocks, retaining only the primary article star rating as my preferred display option.
Utilizing the Google Rich Snippets Testing Tool:
Navigate to the Google rich snippets testing tool, accessible here, and input the URL of one of your published reviews.
Upon running the test, you might encounter additional errors, similar to what I experienced. These issues will typically be specific to your chosen theme, rather than the ratings plugin itself.
Identified Errors and Required Fields:
For example, my theme lacked the inclusion of fundamental semantic information, such as "entry-title". To resolve these discrepancies, a basic understanding of HTML is necessary.
Alert: The required field "entry-title" is missing.
Alert: The required field "updated" is absent.
Alert: A required hCard "author" is missing.
Access your blog’s theme folder, which is located at wp-content/themes/(name of theme) via FTP, or through the Wordpress administration panel. Expand the Appearance section and select Editor.
Open the single.php file using your preferred text editor, or directly within the Wordpress editor interface by clicking on single.php in the file list.
The testing tool initially indicated a missing entry-title. Use the Find function in your browser or editor to locate the_title(). It is likely enclosed within an H2 tag, potentially with a class="post_title" attribute.
To rectify this, incorporate the entry-title class into the existing class definition of the H2 tag.
Next, the tool flagged the absence of information regarding the post's updated date. Since a class="date" definition already existed, I simply appended "updated" to it.
Lastly, the author information was missing. I added this immediately following the published date. If you already have code for the_author(), enclose it within the same span tags as shown below.
This provides Google with the author's name and encapsulates the information within a vcard.
Re-testing the page now reveals that all identified errors have been successfully resolved.
As a concluding step, submit your website to Google for consideration in displaying rich snippets. This process isn't automatic, so complete the submission form here to request inclusion.
Integrating Recipes into WordPress
Several plugins are available to facilitate the inclusion of recipe microformats. However, as of this writing, Google has revised its microformat standards.
Consequently, neither of the currently available plugins generates valid results according to the updated guidelines.
Monitoring Plugin Updates
For bloggers who publish recipes, it is recommended to regularly monitor the hRecipe and RecipeSEO plugins.
Updates are anticipated to align with the recent changes in Google’s formatting requirements, ensuring future compatibility and accurate schema markup.
- Keep a close watch on hRecipe for updates.
- Regularly check RecipeSEO for compatibility fixes.
Maintaining awareness of these plugin developments will be crucial for optimal SEO performance when showcasing recipes on your WordPress site.
Concluding Remarks and Resources for Further Exploration
Implementing review or recipe Rich Snippet data using GDStarRatings is a straightforward process. However, compatibility issues with your existing theme, particularly concerning author and post meta-data, can sometimes prevent Google from displaying your site in search results.
Should you encounter similar errors to those described, meticulous adherence to the provided code tutorial is crucial. Always create a backup of the file before making any modifications, safeguarding against potential typos.
Future Content and Support
In the coming weeks, a series of articles will delve into the intricacies of WordPress theme creation and structure. This will empower you to make more independent edits to your theme.
If you continue to experience Rich Snippet errors, don't hesitate to seek assistance. Post your questions on the Q&A forum or in the comments section below, and every effort will be made to provide a solution.
Helpful Resources
To expand your understanding, consider these resources:
- The microformats wiki provides a comprehensive source of technical information.
- A Blog Not Unlimited offers a practical guide to utilizing microformats.
- A blog post from 2007 details adding microformats to WordPress, proving invaluable during the initial troubleshooting process.
- Examine exemplary HTML coding examples for best practices.