Recently, some confusion spread across Reddit and SEO community forums suggesting that Google plans to stop using structured data altogether in 2026. That worry came from a quick read of a Google Search Central blog post about changes in how Search features work. But when the announcement is read carefully, Google is not ending structured data, only removing support for a few specific types that weren’t widely used.
In fact, Google has confirmed that structured data in general remains important and will continue to be used in 2026 and beyond. What’s changing is the ongoing refinement of search features and how certain markups appear in results, not a wholesale drop of structured data usage.
What Google Announced About Structured Data
Google explained that in its effort to simplify the Search results page and focus on the most useful elements for users and site owners, it occasionally evaluates features and removes those that are seldom used or no longer adding much value.
Specifically:
- Google will remove support in Search Console and the Search Console API for certain structured data types starting January 2026.
- Some rarely used schema types, like certain niche markups, will no longer trigger rich results.
- These changes don’t affect how Google ranks pages, only whether certain rich snippets or enhancements appear in search results.
In other words, structured data is not disappearing from how Google processes information-only a small set of features will no longer be surfaced as special search enhancements.
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What Structured Data Actually Does
Structured data is a standardized way to label the content of your pages-using formats like Schema.org markup, so search engines can better understand what your content represents (e.g., an article, product, event, recipe, review).
It doesn’t automatically make a page rank higher. Instead:
- Structured data can make a page eligible for rich results or enhanced presentations.
- It helps Google and AI systems understand the context of content more precisely.
- It can improve how your listing appears, including how snippets, carousels, FAQs, and other search features show up.
So structured data is a signal that helps search engines process your content more effectively, even if it doesn’t directly boost rankings.
Which Structured Data Features Are Being Phased Out?
Google has been removing or deprecating support for several structured data types that weren’t widely used or didn’t provide significant value anymore. These include types such as:
- Book Actions
- Course Info
- Claim Review
- Estimated Salary
- Learning Video
- Special Announcement
- Vehicle Listing
Support for these types will be phased out in the Search Console tools and API, but this does not remove structured data from ranking algorithms or search understanding.
The removal of these markups is part of Google’s effort to streamline the search experience, making pages load faster and focusing on widely used schema types.
Why Structured Data Still Matters in 2026
Even though some types will no longer be used for enhanced results, structured data remains a core part of modern SEO:
1. Google Still Actively Supports Many Types
Popular structured data like Article, Product, FAQ, Review, LocalBusiness, and others remain supported and valuable.
2. Search Engines and AI Use Structured Data
Structured markup helps search engines and AI features understand relationships and context, which is essential in an era where AI overviews and knowledge graphs are becoming more common.
3. Improves Search Feature Eligibility
Although structured data doesn’t guarantee rich results, it makes your content eligible for these features, which can increase visibility and click-through rates.
4. Adaptability Across Platforms
Even if Google deprecates certain types, other search engines, voice assistants, and AI systems may still use structured data in various ways, so continuous best practices still apply.
Practical SEO Perspective: What You Should Do
With these updates in mind, here’s how to use structured data effectively as we move into 2026:
Stick with supported schema types: Focus on widely used markups like FAQ, Product, Review, LocalBusiness, Breadcrumb, and Article.
Keep structured data clean: Remove deprecated types from your markup to avoid clutter and ensure your Search Console data remains accurate.
Use tools and plugins: If you use a modern CMS (like WordPress), structured data plugins often keep your markup up to date automatically.
Monitor performance: Check how your structured data impacts feature eligibility and click-through rates via Search Console.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will structured data stop being used entirely in Google Search?
No, Google will continue to use structured data broadly, although some lesser-used types will be deprecated.
2. Does structured data make my website rank higher?
Structured data itself doesn’t directly boost ranking, but it can improve eligibility for rich results and help search engines better understand your content.
3. Should I remove all structured data now?
No, only remove deprecated types. Keep commonly supported markups to help search engines display your content effectively.
4. How does structured data help in the age of AI search?
It helps AI systems interpret and organize your content, improving the chances of being featured in AI-generated overviews or knowledge panels.
5. Are deprecated structured data types still useful on other platforms?
Possibly, other search engines and tools outside Google may still leverage those schema types differently.
Final Thoughts: Structured Data Is Here to Stay
Despite changes coming in 2026, structured data continues to play a meaningful role in SEO, especially in how search engines understand and categorize content. The removal of some types is more about cleaning up low-value features, not about ending the use of structured data itself.
For SEO success, focus on modern, supported schema that aligns with your content and audience, and stay updated with Google’s official guidance. Staying current with structured data best practices will help your site remain visible, understandable, and competitive in search, even as AI becomes more integrated into how users find information.
